Picks for the Shelby 427

I feel like this could be a descent race, especially with the progressive banking. I think the action will be great in the middle of the pack. We won't know though because FOX will insist on showing the leader for the majority of the race whenever they aren't showing Digger. Speaking of the leader, they will check out like they always do at the "cookie-cutter" tracks. I suspect there will be a late caution which will give the front runners a shot at the win. Based off of what I saw in practice here are my Top 5 finishers for the Shelby 427. You could also randomly draw these names out of a hat and probably be as close to correct as this guess:

Finishing Order

1. Jimmie Johnson - Could have and should have won at California. Chad Knaus will want to make up for letting that win slip away.
2. Carl Edwards - We haven't heard much from Cousin Carl this year but he should run up front here and possibly win it.
3. Kyle Busch - Another one that could easily win the race, but after his wreck yesterday and watching him limp to the ambulance for that long ride to the in-field care center, I don't know if he will be able to endure. This kid could easily dominate all three series again this year, but how long before his body gets tired?
4. Mark Martin - Martin was really happy with his car during practice and qualifying. If he can get a little bit of luck, he should easily get a Top 5 finish today.
5. Matt Kenseth - This guy is on a roll. If he can stay out of trouble and work his way near the Top 10, his pit crew will get him two or three spots every time he comes to pit road. The only problem here is that you can't consistently start at the back of the pack and expect to contend for the Championship.

Dark Horse

Kurt Bush and Jamie McMurray - Both of these guys seem to be on the way back up and both dearly need to run well to keep that momentum.

Last Place

Max Papis - He was so excited to make the race and it was, in many ways, as good of a story as Scott Riggs and Joe Nemechek at Daytona, but looking at the practice speed charts, this team is pretty off. Factor slow speed and lack of seat time in a Cup car and they may manage to finish the race, but look for them to be many laps down.