NASCAR Nextel Cup Series – GFS Marketplace 400

Su Aug 22 – 2:00 pm EST (TNT)/18:00 GMT (NASN)This week’s race is the second to be held at the track this season, thelayout of which is almost identical to its sister track in California, bothbeing wide and spacious two-mile D shaped ovals. Consequently severaldrivers do well on both tracks, so analysis of the results from Michiganand California this season will give us an angle to base our wagers on thisweek. Jeff Gordon won the California race in May with his teammate JimmieJohnson, a 2002 California winner, close behind in second. Gordon is atwo-time winner at Michigan, the last being in 2001, although he struggledthis year. Johnson finished 3rd this year, despite some previous mediocreruns on the track, and has been in good form of late, which is why he’sfavorite this week. The track is perfect for him; no downshifting or tightturns, just mash the pedal for 200 laps. The Gibbs Chevy team of TonyStewart and Bobby Labonte have been very good at Michigan. Labonte had muchof his early career success here; including a sweep of the ‘95 season,while Stewart won at Michigan in 2000, and has 3 other top-5 finishes inhis 11 career starts.