Who Will Be The Real “Gunslinger” This Weekend?

Entering the seventh race of the year, many of the top tier teams in the Sprint Cup Series are getting hungry for their first race of the season. All of the teams in the top ten who are looking to win have had previous success at Texas Motor Speedway, except Juan Pablo Montoya, who has made great strides on downforce tracks in the past year. No doubt, Texas may hold more beating and banging that last weeks race at Martinsville.

Of course, many drivers tend to be a little more gingerly with their car when they are entering a corner at over 200 mph, but they have also never been in a season quite like this one. With the change in the points system this year, drivers are now seeing what Kevin Harvick is experiencing; if you can get two or three wins early in the year, you can spend the rest of the season preparing for Jimmie Johnson and the Chase. Therefore, be prepared for sparks to fly under the lights Saturday night!

The number one hungry driver that would like to notch his first win this weekend, is probably Jimmie Johnson. He has had a couple of races slip by him to this point, and he is eager to finish anywhere ahead of the 29. Don’t get me wrong, Johnson keeps a cool exterior, and hardly seems rushed to get to victory lane. However, the main thing any driver hates to see during a string of success is a loss of momentum. Be sure that Johnson will attempt to flex some muscle this weekend to reassert his dominance.

Surely a top driver on most lists to expect tough racing from this weekend should be Dale Earnhardt Jr. He has been in or near the top ten at the end of every race this year except at Daytona where he was involved in a late race wreck. Top that off with the fact that he had to watch a black 29 car pull away from him with a lap to go last weekend, keeping him from gaining his first win at Martinsville and his first Cup win in 100 races. Earnhardt Jr. is beyond hungry, that along with his ability on fast tracks with tight racing, and he should be fun to watch this weekend.

One other top ten driver to keep an eye on this weekend would be Matt Kenseth. He has one of the best average finishes at Texas Motor Speedway, which since 2005 is an astounding average of 6th place. With his ability to sneak to the front in any race, he may be able to give Harvick a challenge for a late race lead change. Kenseth is not having a blockbuster season so far, but it has been solid. Not only that, his finishes are beginning to get better, and momentum may be paying him a visit.

At any rate, whether one of these drivers wins, or even if Harvick can pull off three wins in a row, there is bound to be some bent sheetmetal. Someone keep a good eye on Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton.


Be sure to follow Joseph Davis on Twitter @the_Bumpdrafter

Posted in: Dale Earnhardt Jr,Jimmie Johnson,Kevin Harvick,Matt Kenseth,Nascar,Nascar Blog,nascar news,NASCAR Race Results,Sprint Cup