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NASCAR’s “Weekend Warriors” are back at it today as they tackle the smallish Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.
After spending Easter weekend with their families, the Sprint Cup Chase resumes today with the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 on the half-mile oval.
It should come as no surprise that Jeff Gordon is sitting on the pole for today’s 2 p.m. race, as the “Rainbow Warrior” has now claimed that position seven times. He has also driven to victory lane seven times at the track.
However, if you think I’m going to pick the No. 24 car to win, think again!
I’m not a Gordon fan. Never have been, never will be.
In fact, everything looked rosy for the Hendrick Motorsports team when it acquired Dale Earnhardt Jr. to race with Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
But after five races, only little ‘E’ is among the top 10 in points as Gordon and Johnson have had terrible starts to the 2008 season.
My pick this week is for the No. 9 of Kasey Kahne to cross the finish line ahead of everyone else. The remaining Top 5, in no particular order, include Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jamie McMurray and Earnhardt Jr.
McGilton update
After a few weeks off, Bellaire native Phillip McGilton picked the worst time to have his worst race of the young season.
The No. 22 NASCAR?Craftsman Truck Series competitor entered Saturday’s Kroger’s 250 at Martinsville Speedway in 10th place in the point standings.
However, an early spin — one of three on the day for the Marion, IL., driver, left him back in the pack and he could never recover as he finished well back of the leaders.
Female makes debut
Chrissy Wallace, daughter of veteran driver Mike Wallace, made her NASCAR?Truck Series debut yesterday.
And what a start it was!
The 19-year-old started 35th in the 36-truck field, but when the dust had settled and the rubber had stopped smoking, she had finished 18th.
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North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com