Mark Garrow

  (3:58 PM)

Good afternoon everyone...Let's get the partayyy started!

tony williams (houston, tx)

stewart,hamlin,busch or gordon,johnson, jr

Mark Garrow

  (3:59 PM)

Wow..right out of the box..Tony hits me with a hard one...going on past/recent history I'd go with Gordon, Johnson and Junior..close but those three should "out point" the other three.

Ted (Cleveland, Oh)

Is Edwards worth hanging onto this weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

He's driving great, but historically Talladega has not been a great track for Jack Roush..my gut tells me trade him this week and bring him back at Richmond..but as I like to remind everyone when it comes to Talladega it is very, very unpredictable..

Duke Knaack; Clintonville, Wi.

Do You think Sam Hornish will do any good at Talladega, or will Ken Schrader be better?

Mark Garrow

  (4:02 PM)

Hornish drove a nice steady race at Daytona..that's a plus..Talladega, however, is a whole different animal..I can see Schrader beating Hornish this Sunday...with Hendrick power and engineering with the Haas CNC team.

Brad, Illinois

My tentative lineup 20, 11, 18, 88 & 49 if he qualifies. What's your thoughts?

Mark Garrow

  (4:04 PM)

Brad, I like everything but the 49 because BAM Racing has withdrawn the entry...However Schrader is driving the #70..that's the car Jeremy Mayfield was driving before he was fired. I'd be real careful about Schrader ..was 31st in the fall COT race at Talladega..this is a little bit better team..but not by all that much.

JC,Nashville,Tn

How will the 2 and 12 run this weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:05 PM)

JC that's the big question of the week I think because after Daytona what has those two cars really done, especially the 2. I can see those guys working together and finishing perhaps 8th to 15th..Do I see a repeat of Daytona? No way. Talladega whole different animal.

JASON FROM ALABAMA

Hey Mark, Should i go ahead and lock Ragan in as my 4th driver? If i lock him in, then i can go and get stewart,i already have edwards and ky.busch locked in; so my line would be stewart, edwards, busch, ragan and vickers; any other suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Mark Garrow

  (4:07 PM)

Jason if this is for the draft game ..that would be a pretty spiffy little line-up that from time to time could see every one of your drivers top-15 or better.

Joe Sioux City, IA

Kyle Busch has been such a hot driver but does not have very good past record at Talladega? His brother Kurt has a great record there but has not been finishing well this year? Is Kurt a good pick this week and does Kyle have chance at top five?

Mark Garrow

  (4:09 PM)

Joe the way Kyle is driving he's top-five or better potential at every kind of track but road courses and Martinsville. The big question is does he have patience to hang and cruise in the draft? If he does he'll finish up front. I think Kurt is top-15 or better material..I know he's got a great past record there, but the man has negative mojo these days and I don't think he's as safe a pick as most people would think.

Matt (LA,CA)

Mark: I need your top three for this weekend, one middle man, and one low seed. Hoe does thi slook: T Stewart, Kyle,Dale Jr., Kahne and Riggs

Mark Garrow

  (4:10 PM)

Matt that line-up has some potential..20,18, and 88..top-five material..Kahne potential top-10..Riggs top-15 to top-20...not a bad line-up.

Ryan (MI)

In a head 2 head league do you see the trade of Stewart for Labonte & Ragan as a fair trade or do you think it spells out something that a league commish should handle?

Mark Garrow

  (4:12 PM)

Ryan, don't trade Stewart for those two...weather starting to warm up and so will Tony.

Jeff (Ottawa, Ontario)

Casey Mears or Brian Vickers

Mark Garrow

  (4:14 PM)

I'd go with Casey Mears..Vickers good little plate racer..but Mears has more of an army to work with..A lot more Chevy's on the track..not to mention if he gets to draft with his three teammates he should have a strong day..tough to beat the Hendrick horsepower.

Jon (Indy IN)

Reutimann seems to qualify well before (usually) winding up in the 30's. Is it him or Waltrip Racing's shortcomings? This guy has driven me nuts in Fantasy!

Mark Garrow

  (4:16 PM)

Jon, I'm with you..it feels like a great run is just around the corner for this guy..but they can't seem to build him a bullet-proof car. This is more team than driver in my opinion and when I've had him on my team he's had me reaching for the antacids..

Brent (Los Angeles)

When will Danica Patrick make the transition to NASCAR? What is holding her up?

Mark Garrow

  (4:18 PM)

First, I think she's happy right where she's at. Secondly, she's pretty sharp so she has to be paying attention to the struggles of Montoya, Hornish, Allmendinger, and Franchitti..Third, it's not time plus to be perfectly honest she'd have to get in better shape..although she's in pretty good shape now..lol..

Cam, NC

Is there a lower value driver in SCC this week than Ragan that you think will run as well or better? Also, is Martin going this week and how does he look if he is?

Mark Garrow

  (4:21 PM)

Cam, First Martin is not running this week..Aric Almirola is driving his car. He might be worth a thought or two below Ragan..maybe Riggs...Need to keep an eye on qualifying and see who's got a little speed built into their deal so they are not relying solely on the draft to move themselves forward.

jusin (cincinnati)

when do you see dale jr gettin his first win

Mark Garrow

  (4:22 PM)

Could come as early as this weekend..I think it's right around the corner.

Jake (Baltimore)

Who do you think is the best driver fantasy wise???

Mark Garrow

  (4:23 PM)

Jake right now I'd say its Kyle Busch..He's leading a lap at just about every race, he's won already and is third in the points..Keep an eye on Jimmie Johnson though, he's about to make big move.

Craig from Il.

Which will do better...48,88,20,18,99,11,28 and 6 or 48,88,20,11,99,16,5 and 6??

Mark Garrow

  (4:25 PM)

Craig, I'd go with the first team..fewer question marks..need to have 28 come through with at least a top-20 and you should then be in pretty good shape.

Marc (Gulfport, MS)

Mark--I'm looking at either 20,88,12,00 or swap the 00 with the 55 or 83. Which sounds better?

Mark Garrow

  (4:26 PM)

I think the 83 safer pick than the 00 or the 55..I like the 20 and 88...luke warm on the 12..

Griffin (Iowa city)

howdy Mark, I like Penske Racing, any racers joining them in near future.

Mark Garrow

  (4:27 PM)

Well Griffin they just hired David Stremme as their test driver and there are rumors he might get some seat time in one of Penske Cup cars..

Stewart (Iowa)

is telledega the toughest track?

Mark Garrow

  (4:29 PM)

From a physical standpoint Talladega not a big deal..mentally it will flat "whip" a driver..but not a hard track to drive..just a really tough place to race...and there's a big difference in those two.

Brian B. (VA)

Mark, who would you start this week, E. Sadler or B. Vickers?

Mark Garrow

  (4:30 PM)

I'd probably lean towards Sadler..should end up somewhere around the top-15.

Stewart (Iowa)

I like the rainbow warrior, he will come out of his slump

Mark Garrow

  (4:31 PM)

He should do pretty well at Talladega. I expect him to have big race..The COT not as hard to get handle on superspeedways and short tracks..it's the "tweener tracks" that have hurt Gordon.

Stewart (Scotland)

Which car is the best sleeper.

Mark Garrow

  (4:33 PM)

Stewart I'd love to give you an answer because I think you really have to get down there and talk with some crew chiefs to get a better hanlde on that. Be sure to tune into my Sunday morning chat from Talladega.

matt (michgan)

kyle busch starts off great but cannot make it down the strech

Mark Garrow

  (4:34 PM)

Matt he's going to have his rough spots every now then..but he's going to be tough week in, week out.

Brian, Virginia

I've got the #99 locked in at 0.8 under, the #48 at 0.5 under, and the #18 at 0.4 under. The #20 and #88 are good picks for this week, so should I drop the #18 and #99 (knowing that I'm giving up $1.2 by dropping them) and pick up the #20 and #88? Another way to ask the question, pick two - 99, 18, 88, 20. Your advice has always been on the mark (or darn near)...thanks!

Mark Garrow

  (4:35 PM)

I'd pick 20 and 88...thanks for the compliment...20-88 both top-five potential...

Cam, NC

Is it worth picking up a really low level driver like Schraeder in order to get a 4th top level guy in SCC this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:38 PM)

I think so..but try to hold off on the lower guy pick for as long as possible..let's see what practice and qualifying holds first..You can believe I'm going to be trying to find a low budget driver during my Sunday chats with various crew chiefs.

Joe (MT)

How will the 19, 11, 26, 29, 6 and 77 fare this weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:40 PM)

11 and 29 feel pretty good about..26 could be a sleeper..19 should be decent..6 in same boat..77 could have some trouble.

Lynn (MO)

What are the four restrictor plate races and who are the top 5 drivers at restrictor plate tracks?

Mark Garrow

  (4:42 PM)

The run the restrictor plates four times a year twice at Daytona and twice at Talladega..as for the top plate drivers I like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart, ..number five guy a little foggy in my crystal ball..maybe Kevin Harvick.

Stewart (Scotland)

Is tony stewart gaining weight or is it just me.

Mark Garrow

  (4:42 PM)

it's not just you...

Brandon (Minnesota)

What sleeper drivers do you see possibly winning talledega?

Mark Garrow

  (4:43 PM)

To be honest Brandon I don't really see a "sleeper" winning this race..the "big boys" will see to that.

Lee (NE)

Hamlin was in the 20s his first 3 races at Talladega, then a 4th. Has he got it figured out or is he a question mark here?

Mark Garrow

  (4:44 PM)

He's a little bit of a question mark, but Toyota's horsepower can even make a difference at a place like Talladega. If Hamlin keeps patient should wind up somewhere in the top-10.

Griffin (Weihe)

I persoonally perfer a dodge to win the cup, because they have hemi.

Mark Garrow

  (4:46 PM)

that's great..but you do know they can't run it right..lol..

Lee (NE)

RCR boys have top 10 cars or winning cars this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:48 PM)

I think they should do pretty well...this team as a whole has been pretty consistent on just about any track..haven't always been world-beaters but they've been sniffing around the top-10 just about every week..Burton has six straight top-10 runs and so does Bowyer.

Lynn (MO)

Since you are commenting on "mental toughness" and "patience" at 'dega, what drivers does that translate to?

Mark Garrow

  (4:48 PM)

First names that pop into my head Gordon, Johnson, Junior and Stewart...they consistently pick the best times to make the best moves..

Bill (GA)

McMurray or Hamlin?

Mark Garrow

  (4:50 PM)

That's a little tougher pick now than it was earlier this year..but still have to give edge to Hamlin..his car is faster that simple and it looks like he's gaining patience behind the wheel..good combination..McMurray is on the upswing though every since he fell out of the top-35 and figured he had better get it gear or get another job.

Matt (Rochester, NY)

Any thoughts on Hendrick vs. Gibbs this weekend? I like Jr regardless, but do you think that 24/48 will be "safer" picks by running in the back until the end? Or do you think the Toyota horsepower is the way to go?

Mark Garrow

  (4:51 PM)

I think as a group both Henrick and Gibbs will be very strong..but safest picks in those two groups 24,48, and 88 followed by 20,11,18..

Mark Garrow

  (4:52 PM)

Hendrick trio has been much more consistent on plate tracks than the Gibbs "gang".

Stewart (Iowa)

Fords rule

Mark Garrow

  (4:52 PM)

Stewart..got to disagree with you there..do you know the difference between a golf ball and a Ford?..At least you can drive the golf ball 200 yards...lol...just kidding...

Aaron (STL, MO)

I think nascar is boring to watch. Mark give me 1 good reason to watch it for 3+ hours

Mark Garrow

  (4:56 PM)

Aaron, the easy answer is that something big could happen at any time..but at the same time I've got to admit there have been a couple of races lately that were snooze fests..If the drivers decide to mix it up from the green to the checkered at Talladega..that race should be really fun to watch..never know either when the big one is going to happen..but I think there is a lot of exciting things about the deal you just have to be a little more emotionally invested..How about easing yourself in a little deeper by tvo-ing race...and go from there..there's certainly more action than a baseball game..and I like baseball..but there's more action in a race than typical game..that's all I've got right now..thanks for writing in..

Lynn (MO)

Who are a couple of the top drivers in the current standings who struggle at Daytona and Talladega?

Mark Garrow

  (4:57 PM)

Going by what he did at Talladega last year..you'd have to put Kyle Busch in that category..Roush cars don't do much at 'dega either.

Jim (FL)

Does McMurray win a race this year?

Mark Garrow

  (4:57 PM)

I don't see it...but it wouldn't hurt my feelings if he did.

P (Toledo, OH)

Why does Brad Daugherty do NASCAR?

Mark Garrow

  (4:58 PM)

Because he's been a big fan all his life and knows quite a bit about it. Personally, I think he does a pretty good job on the telecasts.

Jim (FL)

Any of the GEM cars win a race this year?

Mark Garrow

  (4:59 PM)

I can see Kahne eventually getting a shot to win, but don't see that for Sadler or Carpentier.

Cam, NC

Of the Hendrick Drivers...what order do you have them in? Also, do you see any of the Gibbs drivers above any of the three big hendrick guys?

Mark Garrow

  (5:00 PM)

Hendrick guys..24,48,88,25..20 is only Gibbs car I would put inside that mix..maybe a tie for third with Dale Jr.

Aaron (STL, MO)

i think Dale JR. is finally going to win his first race this weekend What about u

Mark Garrow

  (5:00 PM)

He's got a shot and that's all he can ask for.

Mark Garrow

  (5:01 PM)

Got to run everybody..don't forget to tune into our Sunday morning chat from the track in Talladega, Alabama..until then may the "force" be with you...and have a great day!