Mark Garrow

  (4:08 PM)

Good afternoon everyone...sorry for being late..I was waiting in the wrong room..that's why ESPN still makes me wear yellow tape on my large back "bumper"..lol..let the fun begin!

John(Haethorne, CA)

Not a question but a compliment. Mark: I don't know much about NASCAR but after playing the stock car challenge on ESPN, do you believe I am only 50 or so points from 1st place thanks to your weekly recommendations and other experts recommendations from ESPN. I take the experts recommedations and rankings and build a team. Last two weeks, I have a average score between 760 - 780. Thanks and look forward to your chats and rankings.

Mark Garrow

  (4:09 PM)

Thanks for the kind words..do you dial in our Sunday morning Fantasy Chats too?..hope so because we bring a lot of great information out from the garage.

Derek (NY)

Do you like Mark Martin this week? What about Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth?

Mark Garrow

  (4:10 PM)

I liked Mark a lot better at California last week and he struggled...He tested far better in Fontana than in Vegas..his words not mine..so I'm a little gunshy about him this week..I like Gordon and Kenseth a lot however..they'll score some big points.

Chris: Wisconsin

Just wondering if droping J.J Yeley for Jamie McMurray was a good idea? I have J. Gordan, Treux Jr, Burton, and Regan, I just want to make the team a little better and curious if I made the right move. Thanks!!

Mark Garrow

  (4:11 PM)

Chris, I've got to be honest I don't expect much of anything from Yeley..and only a little more than that from McMurray..So McMurray the pick there..luke warm..What are some of the other drivers you could possibly pick up..Write back and let's take a shot at those..

Mark (FL)

Who do you like better this week Reutimann, Waltrip, Riggs, Gilliland, or Regan Smith? Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (4:13 PM)

In that group I like David Reutimann the best..although Gilliland finishing 17th last week was a little surprising to me..Riggs finished better than Reutimann too, but I think David has way more upside..

Chad Vogler from Brenham, Texas

Should I take Earnhardt Jr or Biffle for Las Vegas, and should I take Sadler or Montoya Jr? Do you think Vickers will qualify and do well this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:15 PM)

I think Biffle is top-15 material..could sneak a top 10..but not likely..I wished I saw more of what Junior could have done at California..crashing early didn't help trying to evaluate him..Still I think he has more upside than Biffle and should be strong next week at Atlanta..I like Vickers a lot ..I think like the first two races can run top-15..and that's a good payoff for him..Sadler and Montoya have not shown much so far..I know Sadler was top-10 at Daytona..but that's a whole different animal. Still appears Sadler's team struggling on downforce tracks.

Kevin (Hartford, CT)

Who do you like as my 4th driver on my fantasy team this week. Montoya or Yeley?

Mark Garrow

  (4:17 PM)

Kevin...I may be sticking my foot in my mouth..but yuck..those two are all you have to pick from..Montoya would be the pick over Yeley..but.....

Kevin (Hartford, CT)

Do you think Kasey Kahne is going to continue his success and have his best year yet as a NASCAR driver or do you think he's just off to a hot start and will settle down as the year goes on?

Mark Garrow

  (4:18 PM)

I think Kasey has been rock steady the first two races of the year and is edging back towards the kind of driver who won six races in 2006. I'm not sure if this team is ready to win but it's heading in the right direction..I think if you have Kasey this week you'll be glad you did.

John (CA)

What do you think about Denny Hamlin at Vegas?

Mark Garrow

  (4:20 PM)

I've been touting Hamlin the first two races and have been totally burned. He's going to be fast but can he finish..He's had some bad mojo left over from the end of last season that has followed him into 2008..So I'm taking a wait and see attitude with him..Give me a good run or two and then I'll jump on his bandwagon again..Let me also make clear..he was fast in the Vegas test and the Gibbs Toyota's have a monster under the hood.

Nick (Erie, PA)

In my league, I have to pick 1 A driver, 2 B drivers and 1 C driver. I have Stewart and Denny Hamlin as As, Ky Busch, Jr, Newman and Juan Pablo as Bs and Vickers and Hornish Jr as Cs. What picks would you do for this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:21 PM)

Nick, my "A" driver would be Stewart..Kyle Busch and Newman the "B"..Vickers has the "C"..should put you in pretty good shape.

Ben (Baton Rouge, LA)

Can Vickers keep throwing up consistent top 15 or better finishes this year?

Mark Garrow

  (4:22 PM)

Ben, I think he can...when he qualified last year he did put up some good numbers occasionally..so this team's troubles have been the time trials..not the race..Vickers looks like a solid top-15 guy to me..

jason(hilliard)

do you like the sports illustrated swimsuit edition

Mark Garrow

  (4:24 PM)

I have it hidden away in my sock drawer..lol...what about Gordon's wife in there..Jeff's comment when we asked him about it last week, "I knew I was lucky..but when I saw that picture I thought boy I'm REALLY lucky..haha"...I say bravo Jeff..bravo..

Derek (NY)

This is my lineup so far this week: J Johnson, J Gordon, M Kenseth, M Martin, and D Ruetimann. Im thinking of getting rid of Martin in Salary Cap League so who do you like better: Sorenson, Ragan, Vickers

Mark Garrow

  (4:26 PM)

Sorenson felt really right to me last week..now I'm not so sure..Ragan was 14th at California and he can do that again at Vegas and so can Vickers who finished 11th..I'll lean towards Vickers..toyota motor the great equalizer..

Rick (CA)

Hi Mark. First of all, having a chat this early in the week is a GREAT idea. Second, it seems like the public sees Dale Jr. as having a monster race here. Do you agree, or do you feel he's overhyped?

Mark Garrow

  (4:27 PM)

I don't see him having a "monster" race at Vegas..but I can see him running top-10..His crew chief Tony Jr. told me they had a great Vegas test..We need to see Junior have trouble free race this week so we can better judge him down the road.

Jason (Tulsa, OK)

Same format as Nick from Erie. You like Reutimann over Vickers at Vegas?

Mark Garrow

  (4:29 PM)

It's a toughie..but Vickers has been more consistent and has more experience..I say Vickers.

Chad Vogler from Brenham, Texas

Ragan or Sadler or McMurray for Vegas?

Mark Garrow

  (4:30 PM)

I'm a big fan of David Ragan..He's off the radar screen for a lot of people but this kid is fast and if he keeps it under control he's going to be very good..I'd take him over Sadler and McMurray.

Michael (Denver)

Ok Mark, you run my team. Pick 1 A driver, 2 B drivers and 1 C driver this week in Vegas.

Mark Garrow

  (4:31 PM)

Michael..having a hard time bringing up that page while on the chat..give me some infor (drivers) and write back and I'll take a shot..

Chris (Chaple Hill NC)

Which would you choose as a fourth driver at Vegas, Juan Pablo Montoya or Brian Vickers?

Mark Garrow

  (4:31 PM)

Vickers has shown way more than Montoya to start out 2008..I'd ride with Vickers until he throws me off...great value

Ryan (MI)

Do you see any weakness in this set of drivers during the last 10 races of the year(playoffs in my league). My drivers are 1)Johnson 2)Edwards 3)Kurt Busch 4) Newman. This is a league where drivers are scored based on how many points they get a week, nothing tricky.

Mark Garrow

  (4:33 PM)

Johnson and Edwards are money...I think Newman will win again this year and Busch will get to victory lane too..but they are question marks over the final ten races..have had a hard time closing fast at the finish.

Nick (Indianapolis IN)

Who will have a better finish this weekend in Vegas: Kyle Bush or Carl Edwards? and which of the two has better season long potential?

Mark Garrow

  (4:34 PM)

I think this one is a total toss up..I can see Edwards or Busch winning this weekend and I can see them both in the Chase..Would be shocked if both of these guys didn't finish top-five at Vegas..These two are going to score a serious amount of points in 2008.

nick (mem,tn)

im starting kenseth/newman/k buschand nemecheck does this sond good?

Mark Garrow

  (4:35 PM)

Nemechek scares me to death..He'll be lucky to run top-25 or top-30..other three guys I would go to war with.

Chad (Texas)

Martin or Waltrip or Vegas? and Earnhardt, Newman or Mears for Vegas

Mark Garrow

  (4:36 PM)

Chad..type in your first three drivers..please re-do and re-send.

Michael (Denver)

A: Pick 1 of Gordon, Johnson, Stewart or Kenseth B: Pick 2 of Kyle Busch, Newman, Kahne, Jr or McMurray C: Pick 1 of Vickers, Riggs, Reutimann or Hornish

Mark Garrow

  (4:37 PM)

Thanks for writing back Michael..okay..A - Johnson...B - Kyle Busch and Kahne..Newman not bad way to go either..C - Vickers....that's what the old crystal ball is showing me..

Ben (Baton Rouge, LA)

When will Tony Stewart get his first Cup win of 2008? Atlanta next weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:38 PM)

Ben, he could get it this week..if not Atlanta will be a good place for him..He's won there before..really gets around the place and at such a high speed track power matters and Tony has plenty under the hood.

Mark Garrow

  (4:41 PM)

Hey..Chad in Texas..I'm waiting for you because I'm really curious as to who was the third driver in your first group?

Michael (Denver)

You are the man of the hour!

Mark Garrow

  (4:42 PM)

Wow..that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me....

John (Hawthorne, CA)

Mark: Just got the latest rankings. Should I drop Newman and Reutimann topick up Kahne and Blaney or Waltrip or Kvapil this week? I'm thinking I go with Newman and Reutimann. Your thoughts

Mark Garrow

  (4:43 PM)

Stick with Newman and Reutimann..a lot more upside..Kahne will do well..but Blaney is ?????.....Waltrip and Kvapil maybe top-20..but more like top-25 potential.

Chad (Texas)

Mark Martin or Michael Waltrip? Earnhardt Jr, Newman, or Mears?

Mark Garrow

  (4:45 PM)

Mark Martin is the pick over Waltrip..I can see Mark maybe running top-15..I don't see that with Michael. The next three you've put me in a tough spot..Newman has been steady so stay with him..but I also have to say I can see both Junior and Mears potentially outperforming him..Mears, however, will have to play it extra careful..two disaster races to start with have him in a hole and he needs to just finish.

Rick (CA)

How do you see the Childress cars doing this weekend? And one specific choice - Kahne or Harvick?

Mark Garrow

  (4:46 PM)

I can see the RCR cars challenging for 8th to 15th this weekend..Not bad..but not great..I would take Kahne over Harvick right now..Kasey looked really steady at California..

nick (mem,tn)

HI MARK MY FORMAT IS THE 1/1a 2 2b 1 /c my drivers are kenseth newman k busch and nemecheck can i do better?

Mark Garrow

  (4:47 PM)

Yes you can do better..dump Nemechek..go with Vickers, Ragan, or Reutimann..

jason, dyersburg,tn

I need 2 for Vegas out of these: Nemechek, Vickers, Jarrett, Hornish, Reutimann, Riggs. Who would you take? Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (4:47 PM)

I'd take Vickers and Reutimann..and feel decent about it.

Derek (NY)

Rank these racers for Vegas Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth

Mark Garrow

  (4:48 PM)

You just did it perfectly..Busch, Gordon, Kenseth..all will be top-five potential..

cody (Houston, Texas)

Do you think Dale Jr. will be able to bring back the dominance he had on super speedways like talladega? also will the move to hendrick help with his short track racing as well?

Mark Garrow

  (4:49 PM)

We'll have to see..I believe Junior will eventually win three to five races.

Mark (EL SEgundo,CA)

Drop Johnson and Mark Martin for Hamlin and Kahne this weekend? I do have Johnson and Martin locked at their low value but I don't trust Martin this weekend.

Mark Garrow

  (4:50 PM)

By the way..great first name..lol..this is a tough one..I like Johnson better than Hamlin..but Kahne better than Martin..I'd stick with Johnson and Martin..at least you know these guys don't usually get in too much trouble and are around at the end.

Chad (Texas)

The site I use only takes 5 drivers with 50 million cap, and for Fontana I had Gordon, Earnhardt Jr, Kahne, Vickers, Ragan, and Martin. You like the same lineup for Vegas?

Mark Garrow

  (4:52 PM)

You shouldn't be that bad off with that line-up at Las Vegas..Junior should finish a lot better and if the other guys do what they did at California you'll be in decent shape.

Jason (dyersburg, tn)

Pick two from these: Vickers, Jarrett, Hornish, Waltrip, Nemechek, Retimann, Kvapil, Riggs? Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (4:52 PM)

I'll go Vickers and Reutimann..

Nick (Indy)

Okay, If Edwards and Ky Busch is a wash, then maybe you can give me your take on which of the two Roush drivers you'd rather have for a full season. Edwards or Kenseth. I got Edwards and Kenseth right now and I'm trying to decide whether to drop one of them for Busch and if so, which one. Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (4:54 PM)

Nick..man you have me on the hotplate and keep grilling...I don't think you go wrong either way..but pushed to make a decision I'll take the agression of Edwards and Busch..they'll push it to the front more than Kenseth..but Matt will keep plugging along scoring big points too.

Rick (CA)

Who are your top 5 for this race?

Mark Garrow

  (4:54 PM)

Edwards, Johnson, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon...close on his heels Tony Stewart.

Justin (Canton, OH)

Who do you see having a better year this year: Clint Bowyer or Kasey Kahne?

Mark Garrow

  (4:55 PM)

It's a little early to feel real comfortable making a firm guesstimate..but if Kahne is reverting to 2006 form and he might be..than he should do better than Bowyer.

Rick (CA)

Truex was solid in CA. What do you expect from him this weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:56 PM)

I think in this chat last week I predicted him to finish 8th to 14th and he came sixth..again I see him being real good but not great..possbile top-10 again or not too far out from there..he's the best of the DEI gang.

Chad (Texas)

I have Earnhardt now but should i sell him and pick up Newman? Who has the most potential not only for Vegas but for the whole season?

Mark Garrow

  (4:58 PM)

Tough to make a "season call" now..but Newman has been steady...was really coming on at the end of last year and has carried that momentum over..I still think Junior has more upside..but we don't know much yet because he was taken out in that crash this past Monday.

Mark Garrow

  (5:00 PM)

I'd like to thank everyone for being part of our Wednesday chat this week..don't forget I'll have another chat this Sunday at 1:00 eastern to bring you up to date with what the crew chiefs are thinking just hours before the race..Until then..have a great day!

John (FL)

Who do you like better Mark Martin, Vickers, or David Ragan

Mark Garrow

  (5:01 PM)

One last one..John..I'm leaning towards Vickers...but these three are tough to separate..

Chad (Texas)

Thanks for all the help, and one more question for ya.Of the six drivers- Gordon, Martin, Earnhardt Jr, Kahne, Ragan, and Vickers, is there any of the six you would not use for Vegas? Any reccomended picks instead?

Mark Garrow

  (5:02 PM)

They are all decent..Martin is bigger question mark than usual though.