Pick 'em: Phoenix
By NASCAR.COM
November 9, 2007
04:00 PM EST
November 9, 2007
04:00 PM EST
type size: + -
Each week the staff at NASCAR.COM will pick a race winner, a dark horse for the checkers and the ain't-got-a-chance driver (no scrubs; someone with a Q score).
Our scoring system: Experts receive as many points as the "winner" pick gets in the race.
Checker Auto Parts 500
| Writer | Winner | Here's why ... | Dark Horse | No Chance | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duane Cross | Jeff Gordon | The Kid completes the sweep at The Desert Mile, tightens the points race and heads to Homestead with thoughts of No. 5 -- championships, not Kyle Busch -- dancing through his head. | Dale Jr. | Jeff Burton | 4963 |
| David Caraviello | Jeff Gordon | The four-time champion doesn't want to have to make a big move at Homestead, where he's not very good. So he does it at Phoenix, sweeping both races and narrowing the gap on Jimmie Johnson. | Dale Jr. | Carl Edwards | 4802 |
| Mark Aumann | Kevin Harvick | Kevin swept both races in 2006 and led 54 laps back in the spring before finishing 10th. After a rough start to his Chase, Kevin's had three consecutive top-15 finishes. | Bobby Labonte | Jimmie Johnson | 4596 |
| Dave Rodman | Dale Jr. | After almost being overwhelmed by points racing, I have to go with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Why? Because it would be cool to see if Jeff Gordon would visit Junior in Victory Lane this time, especially if Gordon finished behind Jimmie Johnson. | Bobby Labonte | Greg Biffle | 4578 |
| Raygan Swan | Jimmie Johnson | J.J. Give Away! Jimmie Johnson is wrapping up his second championship and Jeff Gordon's "Drive for Five" is stuck in neutral | Kyle Busch | Tony Stewart | 4407 |
| Bill Kimm | Jeff Gordon | OK, Johnson had his fun out front, now it's time for the real champion to take control. Gordon has eight top-fives in 17 Phoenix races including his win this spring. The 24 team stops being happy with top-10s and cruises to the top heading to Homestead. | Kasey Kahne | Casey Mears | 4339 |
| Josh Pate | Jimmie Johnson | He's going to win out to finish the season. Earlier this week, No. 29 crew chief Todd Berrier said the key to winning Phoenix may be the timing of pit stops. Advantage: 48. | Bobby Labonte | Clint Bowyer | 4156 |
| Jarrod Breeze | Jimmie Johnson | For the past three weeks it's the same thing. This week won't be any different for the soon-to-be back-to-back Cup champion. | Jeff Gordon | Elliott Sadler | 4145 |
| Joe Menzer | Jeff Gordon | He needs to win or come close to it just to make this interesting heading into Homestead. Plus his track record at this place is formidable, so why not? | Dale Jr. | Ryan Newman | 4115 |
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