Before I talk about the race, I would like to point out that I really don't like the late race starts. Sure, I realize that Las Vegas is in the Pacific Time Zone, but is it really necessary to start the race at 1:30 local time? Can't we start the race at noon their time, which is only 3pm on the east coast? I think making east coast fans wait until 4:30 to watch the race is ridiculous. (Yes, I realize that there are 10 night races a year. I like night racing. However, I don't like the tweener racing like is what is going on today. Either start the race in the early afternoon, or start it in the evening for most of the country. Especially when the race is going to be strictly a daylight race, like this one will be.)
And I have yet to understand why qualifying was held in the late afternoon in Vegas when the track was slowly becoming more and more shade covered. If the race is going to be run in the middle of the day, why do we have to qualify in changing conditions? I get night and twilight qualifying sessions for races that are being run at that time. But why did we have to give the go or go home cars the advantage of a cooler track Friday?
Anyway, let's talk about the actual race. It's hard to ignore Jimmie Johnson as he goes for four in a row, and yes, it's hard not to notice that he qualified 33rd. But you're out of your mind if you think he's going to finish anywhere near there. (Unless he gets caught up in a wreck while he is back in the pack. That's possible)
The Hendrick and Roush cars are going to be factors here. Obviously they are going to be factors anywhere, but I really think that today is going to be the first Toyota points victory. And it's going to be the hometown boy who is starting on the pole.
Winner: Kyle Busch.
(for the record, I didn't post a prediction because of the rain, but last week I picked Kyle too. So I'm 0-2 on the year. And yes, I realize I have picked Gibbs cars all three times)
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