Contender Or Pretender: Bristol
Denny Hamlin (Contender) – Denny Hamlin isn’t the best intermediate track driver in NASCAR, but what he is good at is short tracks. In the last 4 Bristol races Denny Hamlin has finished in the top 6 every race. His overall record in the COT would be spotless at Bristol if it wasn’t for incidences beyond his control. He nearly won the very first COT race at Bristol but fuel pump issues ruined his day in the COT’s debut. In the next Bristol race Denny Hamlin started at the back of the pack and drove his way to the front and then his engine blew up. Just because Denny is off to a slow start this year don’t be afraid to pick him at Bristol.
Carl Edwards (Pretender) – Don’t let his probation be the thing that scares you from picking Edwards at Bristol, let the fact that the majority of his success at Bristol comes in August, not March be the reason (sounds more intelligent). Edwards has never finished in the top ten in a March race at Bristol. In August (COT Era) Carl has 2 wins and a 16th place finish to his name.
Kevin Harvick (Contender) – Bristol has always been a friendly Kevin Harvick track. He has the perfect amount of aggression needed to be successful at the fastest half mile in the world. His performances at Bristol were down last year, but what wasn’t at RCR? When you take out his results from 2009 his COT average finish is 6.5.
Brian Vickers (Pretender) – Do you know when was the last time Brian Vickers finished in the top ten at Bristol? OK, I admit it’s a trick question because he never has. If you’re a Brian Vickers fan then maybe you’ll be encouraged to hear he has led a grand total of one lap at Bristol in his career.
Jimmie Johnson (Contender) – If you’re a fantasy racer this name and Bristol should appear as a odd choice to you and traditionally I would agree with you. Last year Jimmie Johnson had a top 5 car in both Bristol races. I think we’ll see more of the good Bristol Jimmie this year.
Mark Martin (Pretender) – Last year Martin finished 6th and 2nd at Bristol. I believe those finishes were anomalies because Bristol is not a Mark Martin friendly track. He dodged this track for two years in his partial retirement because of that very reason. When you study prior Mark Martin races at Bristol you’ll discover that he finished 6th in 2006, but to find his next top ten you have to go all the way back to 2000.
