NASCAR Nextel Cup Series - Sirius at the Glen

Su Aug 15 - 2:00 pm (TNT)
Jeff Gordon is the man to beat on the road courses, and it will be no different as the road to the Nextel Cup passes through Watkins Glen International. Six weeks ago Gordon won his eighth career NASCAR road race at Infineon Raceway, and he is no doubt one of the greatest road courses drivers in NASCAR history. Jeff is definitely in the groove right now coming off his fourth Brickyard 400 win, and a win this week would complete a sweep of the roads this season, something he has done twice already. No wonder he comes in here as our 3/1 favourite, despite more competition on the roads than ever before, due to the greater emphasis place on these races by all the top teams. Now might also be the time to get on him for the Championship while the field is still open from seventh place down. The last two times he's won the Brickyard he went on to win the title, while his car is likely to be good at all the tracks in the final 10-race stretch. Back him now at 2/1.

This week's event takes on added significance as there are now only five races remaining before the final 10 drivers are set for the Championship chase, which puts the heat on those drivers on the cusp of making it into the playoffs. The driver that figures to make up most ground on those in front of him is Mark Martin. Martin currently sits 123 points behind the 10th and final spot in the chase, and is Watkins Glen's all-time money winner, having finished in the top-5 eleven times in his 16 driver starts that include three wins. He looks the main danger to Gordon, along with good road racers Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray. Watch out also for the Burton Brothers who have done well at Watkins Glen of late. Jeff's car has definitely looked better, and the Hendrick horsepower of Ward's car is more evident over the last few weeks.

Nigel's Checkered Flag... Jeff Gordon @ 3/1, Jeff Burton @ 28/1!