Mark Garrow

  (3:58 PM)

Good afternoon everyone..time to get the partaaay started!...Scored 711 last week and if Jimmie Johnson had just finished top-five like he was supposed to instead of 17th I would have been gold with Vickers, Sadler, Kenseth and Martin....ah..such is life...lol..

Rob (Marietta, GA)

Hey Mark! Looking for some help in the bargain department this week, do any of these guys stand out? 8, 66, 28, 15, 44, 55, 00?

Mark Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

Rob, I seriously doubt Almirola can match 8th place finish from earlier this year..but I guess that's possible..Gilliland was ninth that might be a place to look..Riggs has been 18 and 22 last two races so he might be god for a top-20..I might keep an eye on Reutimann as well..all of these guys major, major, major,major, major risk.

Beth WV

Mark good lookin out last week. Thanks What do you think of Stewart-Bowyer-Kenseth-KuBush-Kayne. Thanks again Guru

Mark Garrow

  (4:04 PM)

Thanks for the kind words Beth..your line-up on paper is pretty good but..Bowyer has been junk lately although RCR short track stuff pretty good..Kurt Busch has some great Bristol stats but I don't like the way this team is performing..I think by the time we get done with the race day chat Saturday afternoon..you'll want to change this line-up...maybe not..but I think you will.

Mike (Clarksville TN.)

Guru, I was thinking the 24 could have a big weekend,what do you think? Rank these if you would please I need help this weekend.84,28,15,00,55,44,8,66 and Schrader in the 96. Tanks for all your help

Mark Garrow

  (4:08 PM)

I've got Gordon ranked 13th going in..no telling what you get from this guy these days and with his price there's no need to take that much risk in my opinion... Ranking the scrubs..that's pretty tough..but going in I would say 8,66. 96 (if he gets in the race) 28,84,44,15,00, 55.

dave, orlando,florida

hi mr. garrow, would like to get your thoughts on bristol this week. whos the better two between 20-07-31-24-29-99. and whos better between 1-12-42-19. thanks for your time its greatly appreciated. good luck this week

Mark Garrow

  (4:11 PM)

Hey Dave..no need to be that formal..just call me Guru..lol..I like the 29,99 and 20 in that group..31 should be good too...as for the other group going in..probably go 12,19, 1, and 42...Newman knows how to run top-10 at Bristol..and Sadler has been coming on strong lately and has won there before..

Ed (Petersburg, WV)

Hey Mark, I'm trying to fill out my roster and so far I'm going with Biffle, Harvick, and Kenseth. Please help me pick a 4th driver among Earnhardt, Gordon, Stewart, or Hamlin. Who are your low budget picks this week? Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (4:13 PM)

No telling with Gordon, so I wouldn't go there...Junior or Stewart are your probably your safest pioks..Hamlin will proabably run strong but can he finish?

Jason:Alabama

Hey Mark;For my SCC team;which team do u like the best;(a)29,20,16,17,8; (b) 88,29,11,17,8 (c)88,29,16,17,8 or(d) a balanced team of 29,17,9,2,19;at bristol anybody can get caught up in a wreck so i am going very low for a 5th driver; what do u think?

Mark Garrow

  (4:17 PM)

Here's how I'm ranking everyone in the top-10 going in...1. Kevin Harvick 2. Carl Edwards 3. Kyle Busch 4. Jeff Burton 5. Kasey Kahne 6. Greg Biffle 7. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 8. Jimmie Johnson 9. Denny Hamlin 10.Tony Stewart 11.Clint Bowyer 12.Matt Kenseth 13.Jeff Gordon 14.Kurt Busch 15.Martin Truex, Jr. 16.Ryan Newman 17.Elliott Sadler 18.David Ragan 19.Brian Vickers 20.Bobby Labonte Now, if the 8 can come through with a top-15 I like the first team a little better..but "d" team is good if 19 comes through and lately he's done that..and quite frankly what has Almirola done since that run at Bristol...answer not much..

Mike-Woodridge,Ill

Hey Mark, same question as always. Assuming I can not use the 88,48,24,99,18,9,20, or the 11. Which two drivers would you pick to have the best finish this weekend? Only one of those two drivers can be from last year's top 10 at Bristol's night race. Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (4:20 PM)

I think you can look to the 29 with some confidence and if they can somehow get it turned around this weekend 07 stats have been good last three races..I think I've fit your criteria.

Kevin St Clair Shores, MI

Mark do you think the 31 can rpeat? What do you think about these picks and what changes do you think I need, I can use anybody, not at my max starts with anybody. Group A need 2, group B 4, And group C need 2. A, 31 & 29, B 16,9,18,1 C. 66,& 28. What changes do I need?

Mark Garrow

  (4:22 PM)

Kevin, I don't think so mainly because this team has been a little "off" lately. Burton should be pretty good though..On balance you should be okay..but hard for to give a real accurate point of view without knowing some of the other drivers in each category.

RAY GORDON REID (TALLADEGA ALA 35160)

QUESTION TO MARK GARROW AT 4.20 PM HI MARK WHO;S YOUR PICK

Mark Garrow

  (4:23 PM)

Hey Ray..I think Mr. Harvick will be happy when its over.

Clint Bowyer

Can I finally rebound this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:23 PM)

I hope so man because things have been ugly...

Matt (Albuquerque, NM)

Thanks for your invaluable help week after week! I'm in a league where I need to make initial cut on my roster before practice. Any thoughts on the 88 and 16 this week? Good value or save the starts for a later week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:24 PM)

Thanks for the props...I think 88 and 16 are no worse than top-10 and one will probably finish top-five..I think they are solid values for this race..

Casey Mears

Did ou know my average finish at Bristol is 29th? Please don't pick me this week.

Mark Garrow

  (4:25 PM)

Don't worry dude..I won't go there ..

Ben (Baton Rouge, LA)

Should we stay away from Jimmie Johnson at Bristol? Is he too overpriced? It isn't one of his better tracks it would seem.

Mark Garrow

  (4:26 PM)

Ben, that's going to a tough pick this week to deal with and I'm facing that problem myself. I'm probably going to ditch him because I think you're right for Bristol he's overpriced and we could do better.

Rich (Saint peters, mo.)

Hey Mark I need to pick 3 drivers (1 in the top 5 or two in the top 10) Who would you pick? I was thinking 29,99,11.

Mark Garrow

  (4:28 PM)

I like the 29 and 99 a lot...11 not to sure about because he's really bad mouthing team now and not sure how that shakes out..I'm thinking the 31,18, or 16 might be a better bet than 11.

Chris(Philadelphia, PA)

I'm in a pool where we pick one driver a week and are not allowed to use the same driver more than once all season long. So, I have to use some dark horses some weeks in order to gain points. Where do you see Bowyer, Gilliland and Montoya finishing this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:30 PM)

Among those three Bowyer should have the better night..he's top-10 potential..Why didn't you blow out Montoya at the Glen?..He's junk the rest of the year unless he gets lucky at Tallaega again.

Corey Pontes (Tom's Hammer)

What on earth is going on with Jeff Gordon? Are we nearing the end of the line with the rainbow warrior?

Mark Garrow

  (4:31 PM)

It's getting pretty ugly that's for sure...no idea how these guys can pull out of this tailspin fast enough so they can be a factor in the Chase..

Eric (Wautoma, WI)

Hey Guru Garrow!...Picking 4th this week. I think Busch, Edwards, and Johnson may be gone...After that, who might be the best pick?...Is Harvick worth taking that high?....Thanks!

Mark Garrow

  (4:31 PM)

I think Harvick is the next best pick.

tom - wisconsin

Mr. Garrow, I need your wise and all-knowing advice in selecting the top two cream of the crop drivers in each group. A - 07,11,17,20,24,29,48,99 B - 1,9,12,16,18,88 C - 8,15,28,44,66 Thank you maestro

Mark Garrow

  (4:33 PM)

Remember its Guru..no Mr....lol...A-29,99..B)9,16 C)8,66

arrky perdios (ma)

what you think of the 88 this week? what about the 9?

Mark Garrow

  (4:35 PM)

I think they are both contenders to run top-10 and don't be surprised if they run top-five.

jon ( San Fran, Cal)

It apperas to me a driver drives best when he is mad/angry..From that statement and the fact that Hamlin should have 3 short track wins this year, is Hamlin the pick at thunder valley?

Mark Garrow

  (4:36 PM)

He's going to be good, but have you looked at his finishes lately..up and down like a yo-yo..plus I don't like his attitude right now and not a big fan.

Rich (Saint peters, mo.)

Mark, i have to pick three drivers( 1 in the top 5 or two in the top 10) which guys should i go with? I was thinking 20,11, and 29.

Mark Garrow

  (4:37 PM)

On paper not bad..but still concerned about 11 and 20 car has been a little inconsistent too.

J-Boogie (Sacramento)

here is my early yahoo lineup- 29,88,26,28. is edwards or kenseth worth a shot this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:38 PM)

Yes if you can dump 26 and 28..

Big Mama (Yazoo)

Kevin Harvick will win. Mark it down, baby

Mark Garrow

  (4:39 PM)

Well mark it down I just might agree with Big Mama!

Rick (CA)

Who are your preliminary top 5 drivers to win this race?

Mark Garrow

  (4:40 PM)

1. Kevin Harvick 2. Carl Edwards 3. Kyle Busch 4. Jeff Burton 5. Kasey Kahne

Ben (Fayetteville, GA)

Out of these 4 pick 2- 99,48,31,29. Out of these 7 pick 4- 16,9,1,12,6,19,43. And finally out of these 4 pick 2- 8,83,84,44. Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (4:41 PM)

29,99....16,9,12, and 1...83, 8

Justin (Rancho Cordova, CA)

where do u rank truex, mcmurray and ragan this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:42 PM)

I think Truex could have decent night...not so sure about McMurray and Ragan..

JO (natomas,ca)

will kasey kahne push hard this week since he is in danger of missing change?

Mark Garrow

  (4:44 PM)

He's going to push it a little but you're right he'll have to play it a little on the safe.

dave, orlando,florida

who would be a great sleeper this week if you had to choose one, any info would be great thanks again.

Mark Garrow

  (4:46 PM)

Well the way they've been runnining lately Bowyer and Burton might be nice step in the right direction..

Nick (Carmel,Ny)

How do you feel about Denny Hamlin's chances for the chase

Mark Garrow

  (4:47 PM)

He's got to make it first..and don't see that team having the confidence to win the deal if they get in..

JJ (el paso)

what do think about kurt busch this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:48 PM)

I have Kurt marked down as a solid 15 kind of guy this week ..could run top-10..but he's not as god as he used to be at Bristol.

Rick (CA)

Hi Mark. What are some of your reasons for liking Harvick best for this race?

Mark Garrow

  (4:52 PM)

He's just been consistent here the last five races..average finish of 7.0...he's won here before..he's really gunning to gain some breathing ground in the Chase..So, I think he pushes it this Saturday night.

jeff (springdale, ar)

Are there any cheap guys to go for, or is Sadler about as safe to go?

Mark Garrow

  (4:54 PM)

Have to wait and see..but those who followed by strategy of building in best low guy first and then go up did extremely well last wek..19 could be that guy again but really need to keep an eye on the whole weekend before making that kind of adjustment.

ryan,alabama

whats sadlers chances of a top ten this week

Mark Garrow

  (4:54 PM)

He's got a shot..been running well lately..loves Bristol and has won here before too.

Rich (mo.)

If you had to pick one driver outside the top ten who would you pick?

Mark Garrow

  (4:55 PM)

Hamlin, Kahne and Bowyer come to mind..

Jeff (springdale, ar)

Gibbs, Hendrick, Childress, or Roush this weekend? What drivers from each to look out for?

Mark Garrow

  (4:57 PM)

This has been very good track for Gibbs and RCR..Not so much lately with Hendrick..Roush on the hand starting to bring it..Edwards won this race a year ago and Biffle was strong in the spring.

Lee (NE)

Next time at Michigan, no questions asked, you go: 99,17,16,6. Roush just too good on that track.

Mark Garrow

  (4:57 PM)

Lee ..do I sense some anger or frustration?..lol..

jon @ san fran

makr it down, hamlin will win

Mark Garrow

  (4:58 PM)

Okay, I marked it down..but I did it in pencil..

Sam Hornish

I'm trying to decide which lap I'm going to wreck on his week Mark. Can you help me?

Mark Garrow

  (5:00 PM)

You'll wreck early and often..just kidding...probably crash when you start fading physically. lap 350 or so

Jack (Phoenix, Arizona)

My freinds and I predictewd winners of the remaining 5 races to the chase..my picks W-busch, M-edwards, B-hamlin, C-edwards, R-hamlin...so far im in first place because my driver have had the best avredge finish(1!!!)...Do you think i will stay 1st overall? The next best team so far is W- Edwards, M-Edwards, B-Edwards, C- Edwards, R-Dale jr

Mark Garrow

  (5:01 PM)

Jack you have a shot..

Denny Hamlin

Maybe we should talk about our mixed feelings for each other.

Mark Garrow

  (5:01 PM)

anytime bro..

Shaun (earth)

Too me a driver drives best when mad..Will that help him win at bristol, cause he is my stone cold lock to win

John (TN)

Guru, please rank these 28,44,66,77,15,43,84 Your insight has been invaluable this year. Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (5:03 PM)

43,66,44,28,84,15,77..best I can figure going in.

Mark Garrow

  (5:04 PM)

Folks got to run..don't forget race day chat this week Saturday afternoon at 3:30 eastern..so until then may the "force" be with you...