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NASCAR's Phoenixiest Race!!!

What:Duralube 500 (Race 32 of 34)
Where:Phoenix Interplatal Raceway
When:Sunday, Nov 7, 2 pm; TNN

(Don't want to read my insightful and witty comments? Click here to go straight to making your picks.)

It's time for some fast racing at Phoenix, folks. This recently repaved one-mile oval is all about speed, speed, speed. They don't call it "The World's Fastest One-Mile Oval" for nothing. Smooth track, moderate banking, and consistent weather conditions make this a great place to race.

Handling isn't as critical here as it was at the Rock. You don't have to race the track so much, so teams will work more towards getting the cars to go as fast as they can on the relatively short track. This is the kind of track where you can expect former Indy car drivers to do well (hint hint), because they drive on these mild tracks all the time.

Other names you might want to think about are Bobby Hamilton and Kenny Schrader. Those are two guys who know how to go all out on a short track: Kenny's started from the pole here, and Bobby's won it before. Neither of them have had a great year, but you know they'd like to finish big. Don't expect chuckleheads like Kenny Wallace and Kevin Lepage to crack the top five this week. We're going to see nothing but pros.

Speaking of pros, this is one of the very few tracks where Gordon has yet to win. Can he do it this year? He's had a rough week, with five of his pit crew members announcing they're going to Robert Yates Racing next year (Yates has DJ's car and the number 28 Texaco machine). Things might be tense in that pit area this week.

All DJ has to do is not wreck to all but clinch the championship. To his credit, though, he hasn't been nursing his lead. He's been racing hard every week, scoring a few wins and often leading the most laps. It's going to take a whole lot of bad luck for him to not win the cup. And by the way, he won here in '97.

The Pontiacs haven't done so great at this track in the past, but that could all change this time around. Since last year, NASCAR made some critical changes in the car setup rules, leveling the playing field between the makes and making Pontiac a real player this year. Some babies, like DJ's crew chief, complain that now Pontiac has an advantage. What's really happened is that the Ford cars have lost the advantage they've had since the Taurus was introduced years ago. (You think the controversy between the car makes is hot now, just wait until Ray Evernham runs the first Dodge team in 2001.)

But I digress. My point is that the Pontiacs may end their history of crapulent performances at this track. We all know how good Bobby is, and Tony, too, but I've got my good eye on Ward Burton this week. He was second at the Rock, and he's a natural short-track driver.

The points race is hotter than ever here at NASDRO, with Nathan, Sean, Kevin, and Tim in a shootout for the Hardee's coupon. Then there's a second group of players aiming to get in that top five (Sharon, Duncan, me, my Dad). It's going down to the wire, so make sure your picks count!

Instructions

First of all, choose your name from the pull-down list. Then pick the names of the drivers that you think will finish in the top five. After that, you get to make your surprise pick, where you'll name a guy who isn't high in the points, but you think has a shot to get into this week's top five. It doesn't have to be one of the names you've already put in your top five. Now that the season is in full swing, let's use the current Winston Cup Points standings. Click here to check out the nicely done standings page at nascar.com. Remember, your surprise pick can't be any of the names listed in the TOP TEN of the points standings.

And hey, don't forget to pick a DNF. That's the guy you think will get a big fat Did Not Finish.

Click on the upside-down triangle at the right margin of each blank to see a list of drivers, then select a name. No typing necessary. Don't forget to tell me your name!

What's your name?

Name of First Place Driver:

Name of Second Place Driver:

Name of Third Place Driver:

Name of Fourth Place Driver:

Name of Fifth Place Driver:

Name of your surprise pick:

Choose your "DNF of the Week"

Controversial Topic of the Week

What are you going to do during the horrible months of no NASCAR?