Toyota- Save Mart 350
Sonoma, Ca | Sunday, June 26th, 2016
3 PM EST | Live on FS1
Welcome back from the off the week, hope everyone had a great father's day weekend. I survived the heat, but the outside thermostat is getting turned up higher this week down here in Arizona. As for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, they head to Northern California and will be turning left and right. That's right, the first of 2 road courses this year lands after the final off week for the cup boys, as they will not have another week of till after the season finale at Homestead. We are in the dog days of summer, where we will find out if the early on surprises were in fact just that or if they are for real. The chase grid will start to become clearer and could find some new faces in it. I consider this race and next weekend's race at Daytona WildCard races. Meaning its really anyone's to capture the flag. Will we see another 2016 first time winner for the 5th consecutive race, or will one of the rookies (all of whom have never been to Sonoma) win their first cup race? The next two weeks are going to be fun, but lets get to my picks for this weekends TOYOTA-Save Mart 350 from wine country!
Group A-
Kurt Busch
This weekend the older Busch brother comes in at the 12th ranked driver on both road courses, the other being Watkins Glen. But here at Sonoma, he finished 2nd a year ago in fact Busch hasn't finished worst then 12th since 2011, also during that span he has led 136 laps. His only Sonoma win came in 2011, driving for Penske Racing. He qualifies up front, stays up front and its safe to say he will put his #41 Haas-Automation, Monster Energy Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet in the lead and never look back.
Jimmie Johnson
Well you can't go to a road course and not pick the 6-time champ. Not only is he the 4th ranked driver at road courses, he also has a master mind strategic crew chief in Chad Knaus. He played the fuel mileage game last year, and finished 6th. Since 2009, JJ hasn't finished worst then 9th, and in that span he has led 101 laps. With decent starting positions, always running up front, and that strategic pit boss look for 6-time to hoist the wine cup Sunday.
WE2W4- Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick
Sleeper Pick- Kyle Busch
Group B-
Clint Bowyer
Go ahead and plug Mr. Bowyer in this week. If you start him it could pay off big time and I will tell you why. 2nd ranked driver at Road Courses, finished 3rd here last year, hasn't finished worst then 10th since 2011 and has 1 win back in 2012 driving for Michael Waltrip Racing. Look for Clint to right the ship this weekend!
Tony Stewart
I know your first thought is, 'what is going through your mind this week Booger?' WINS, that's what is going through my mind. This may surprise you, but Smoke is the #1 ranked driver at road courses. He leads all active drivers with 7 wins, 2 of which have come here at Sonoma (2001,2005) He has struggled as of late in wine country, but I believe this is the race Smoke has a good chance to get back to victory lane.
Jamie McMurray
17th best road course driver in the NSCS, finished 11th here last year. He basically runs around his average, so there is nothing to flashy about this pick. Except that McMurray has completed all but 1 lap at Sonoma since his career started in 2003.
AJ Allmendinger
Earlier this year I jumped on the Allmendinger band wagon, and ultimately was bit by bad fortune. But, its a WC race and the Dinger is the Ringer. 11th best road courser, his best finish at Sonoma is 7th. His only cup win came at Watkins Glen, but last season at Sonoma was the car to beat. He won the pole, dominated everything that weekend, but come Sunday he had a fuel pressure issue that ruined his chances at the W. Look for Dinger to ring the bell at Sonoma.
WE2W4- Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle
Sleeper Pick- Carl Edwards
Group C-
Chris Buescher and Brian Scott
I'm going to stick to my strategy but this week, I'm going to pick the other 2 rookies. I just have a feeling that the 3 road course races the Xfinity Series races at helps these young guns out a lot. Buescher has a win at a road course in that series, and as of late has been running well.
WE2W4-
Chase Elliot, Ryan Blaney
Well another week is in the books. I feel like this week was a lot easier to pick. Its surprising that each group has at least 2 guys in them that could win this weekend. Good Luck to everyone and as always, Thank You to those that read my blog every week and for the continued support!
Until Next Time...
God Speed
Booger
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