Mark Garrow

  (4:18 PM)

Sorry for being late folks..I have to profess to being an idiot sitting here at my computer and losing track of the time..my bad and I'm now going to whip myself 50 times...with a wet noodle.....so with that let's get the partaayyyy started!

Billy the Kid ( NM )

Mark it is crunch time ! Need your insight for Phoenix. Pick 2 out of 48,24,11,20. Pick 4 out of 1,26,5,6,12,9,19,42. Pick 2 out of 44,28,15,66,10. Thanks, your the man Mark !

Mark Garrow

  (4:19 PM)

48 and 24...I think Gordon knows this is his last chance to realistically win a race this year....1,5,26, and 42...let's hope Montoya can finally win a race as well as he runs inside it...44 and 10...Allmendinger did a nice job on the flat track at Martinsville..

Ray, Marietta, Ga.

Two races to go and just out of first place. Already used up 99, 16, 18, 88, need your help with preliminary team this week. Pick best 2: 07, 11, 24, 29, 48(leaning towards 24 & 48). Pick best 4: 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12(seems he and Penske have thrown in the towel on each other), 26, 42(leaning towards 1, 8, 26 & 42). Pick best 2: 10, 15, 28, 44, 66, 70(Sauter pretty good @ Phoenix? (Leaning towards 44 & 10 or 15) Thanks again for all your great insight this season!

Mark Garrow

  (4:25 PM)

I agree with the 24 and 48...but 07 and 11 could be top-five potential too...I see Harvick has a top-10 candidate...Group two..1,5,8, and then 26...26 is on a roll..but have to tell you flat track is not usually Roush's strong suit although he had some cars run good at NH...5 is consistently hovering around the top-15..42 has been more spectacular lately but where has he been finishing?...Third group..going to go with 44 and just a few minutes ago went with Allmendinger but upon more reflection would probably lean towards Gilliland...He was 15th at Phoenix in the spring and growing up in California about all drivers do is run flat tracks..so that's a bit of a strong suit for Gilliland.

John ( Hartford)

I would like your thoughts on Stewart this week. It seems his focus (and his teams willingness to keep him out of the loop) have a chance to affect his performance at what would normally be a pretty good track for him. Will Tony be strong this weekend at PHX or is he just mailing it in? Where do you see him finishing? Thanks as always

Mark Garrow

  (4:27 PM)

He's not going to be mailing it in...but I think the best you can hope for going in is a top-10 when we are usually looking for him to finish top-five..Team is definitely off balance and Tony's departure has certainly hurt how this team is running...Tony's still trying hard and so are they but knowing a break-up is coming can get everyone's eye off the prize.

Mark ( Boston)

Would you use Kyle this week or next week if you were down to your last chance to use him? Can he run top 5 on both tracks?

Mark Garrow

  (4:28 PM)

I'd probably say Kyle would be a better pick for Homestead than I would Phoenix...I think he's potentially top-10 at Phoenix, where he should battle for one of the top five spots at Homestead.

Bob ( New Haven, CT)

The 26 has been running very good the past month or so. Do you see him running strong at Phoenix this week? He is usually pretty good at flat tracks such as Martinsville and The road courses but it does not look like it has translated to PIR. I was surprised he had not run better there in the past. He has been great recently on the mile and a half tracks. Will this momentum carry over this week ?

Mark Garrow

  (4:30 PM)

Bob, I ranked McMurray 19th going into this race because he's got a pretty poor record at PIR and I see him as top-15 potential going in...Two things, though, in his favor...Biffle and Edwards ran extremely well at NH, another flat track, and secondly McMurray's confidence is up and that's always worth a tenth or two and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a career best at Phoenix.

Hank (Portland, ME)

Could you rank these guys pre race for me this week....07,88,18,20,31. Thank you sir

Mark Garrow

  (4:31 PM)

31,88,07, 18, 20..

Big Poppa..Hotlanta

Here we go again Playboy...How we doing today Mark?Mark it down big guy im 2-2 last 2 weeks and im going to say the 99 goes back to back to back what do you say there partner....

Mark Garrow

  (4:32 PM)

Big Poppa...I think that might be a big "ploppa"...Jimmie Johnson's going to take it to everyone at Phoenix...the champ answers the bell big time...

Jon, Florida

Yo, Mark, I got the 18 locked at 23.5 the 18 locked 0.7 under value, the 17 locked 0.7 under value, the 26 locked 0.5 under, and the 44 locked 0.5 under. So would it be smart to drop the 48 for the 8, then the 44 for someone higher, and maybe trade the 26

Mark Garrow

  (4:34 PM)

Look I love the way JMac has been running lately but I wouldn't trade for him at Phoenix, a place he has done next to nothing..If you already had him that's one thing but dropping Jimmie Johnson at this time of year is not usually a good idea..I'd be more tempted to look at trading 18 and/or 17 to move my team around a little bit..

Big BULL....Fl

Who you like this week there hause.... you like that there 77 for a top 10 possible 5 and how about the 55 this week top 3 maybe....let me know what you think there buddy...Preciate it

Mark Garrow

  (4:36 PM)

Big Bull....sorry but I think you stepped into a few cow chips to many to think Hornish or Waltrip will finish that high...you haven't been smoking the "chips" have you?...lol....

Incognito (The Garage!)

Alright Guru! We're down to it! Which team looks better here on Wednesday: 48-24-8-1-42 or 48-24-11-8-01 ? Need points! Gotta win the trophy. Thanks Again.

Mark Garrow

  (4:37 PM)

I hang with the first team..if 42 can finish around the 16th and 17th place positions he has in last two Phoenix races then you should be in good shape because 48,24, and 8 are top-five potential and Truex is top-10.

Cactus Jack (New Mex)

i am holding onto the lead in my league and i know 2nd place is using 48 and 88. i cant use those two so i need a counter punch- one of 99,11,24,29 and two of 18,1,43,26,5,42,12

Mark Garrow

  (4:41 PM)

If you believe Gordon is going to drive like a man posessed to get his first win of the season, which I do, than go with him..Also, Hamlin has finished third in three of the last four races at Phoenix, including this past spring so I might look there as choice 1A...Another nugget to think about Carl Edwards has five top-10's and three top-five in 8 starts..and was fourth in the spring...you know what ...I really think the 99 is safest pick here..He's going to push to win and keep pressure on 48 and he doesn't usually crash out..In the other group seems like the 18 and 1 are the best bets.

Big Mama 4 Obama (Yazoo)

Clint "Rawhide" Bowyer will win this week. mark it down, baby.

Mark Garrow

  (4:43 PM)

You might have picked the president but Bowyer to win at Phoenix...sorry he's a hanging chad top-10...I'm a Bowyer fan but don't see it..so sorry Big Obama Mama..lol..

JerryMan (Truckee River,NV)

yahoo-league how am i for the next two weeks with: 24,18,1,15 this week and 99,16,6,44 (or 10) next week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:44 PM)

Homestead looks pretty good...Phoenix might need a little work..concerned about 15 for sure..

Captain Comeback (Goshen,CA)

do we downgrade the 99 and 16 becasue they have play it agressive the rest of the way?

Mark Garrow

  (4:45 PM)

No, I think just the opposite...they are going to be elbows up on the wheel..it's hero or zero time...I'm betting they come out looking more like heroes because both have a knack for driving really hard, but not wrecking.

Jack ( New Mexico)

I have one 20 pick left and wish I didn't... would you use him this week or next? or does it not matter? Is he at least top 10 each week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:46 PM)

He's potential top-10 each week, but a little "iffy" everytime out given the current situation.

Ken (Hendersonville, NC)

Mark: Are you surprised that NASCAR did not come down on Gilliland hard this past weekend?I know I was. Do you think NASCAR in its wisdom decided that JPM probably had the payback coming and laid off. Let?s face it, JPM is known for some pretty aggressive driving. Your thoughts please

Mark Garrow

  (4:47 PM)

I thought David Gilliland was way out of bounds and if NASCAR had decided to hit him harder after the fact I would have not had any problem with that...On the other hand, Montoya was being a little over aggressive and that lit the fuse..placing blame 70% Gilliland..30% Montoya..

Lee (NE)

Do the drivers race at homestead just once per year?

Mark Garrow

  (4:48 PM)

Yes

Janet (Ascutney VT.)

Hi Mark, Who would you choose for the first 4 top qualifiers? Also I need help again.. I need a great week and Have to have my guys chosen before any practices.. A. need 2; 99,31,11,07,or 29, B. Need 4; 1,8,12,5,6,9,26,42,19,or 43. C. Need 2; 44,10,15,29,47,or 66. Thanks for all your help.

Mark Garrow

  (4:51 PM)

99-11....1,8,5,43...44 and assuming 29 was actually 28..so go with 28...Top qualifiers..Edwards, Johnson, Dale Jr., Clint Bowyer..

Matt (Wisconsin)

First place in my league, have 1 start left with 48,99,18,and 16. Which track do i start each of them at? Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (4:51 PM)

48,99 Phoenix...18 and 16 Homestead

Will (Fargo)

Will Jeff Gordon be back to his old ways next year?

Mark Garrow

  (4:51 PM)

He'll be better than this year but we don't know by how much.

Lee (NE)

48,17,8,1,26 Likee?

Mark Garrow

  (4:52 PM)

Kenseth concerns me a little...26 quite a bit since record at Phoenix is poor..but read my thoughts again on 26 earlier in the chat and then go from there.

Richard(California)

Hi Mark, In rankings for Hank you have 18 in front of 20, but in the weekly rankings you have Smoke 10th and Kyle 13th.Why the change of heart? Thanks as always.

Mark Garrow

  (4:53 PM)

Just goofed..thanks for pointing that out...I skimmed through my rankings a little too quickly..Stewart has more upside Sunday I believe than Busch.

Justin (Bossier)

Are you considered a fan if you only watch Nascar on Sportscenter

Mark Garrow

  (4:54 PM)

Whay not? Welcome the the family!

Paul (Chicago)

Afternoon Mark... What will be the tire wear this week? Is this a track were the teams will be always looking for 4 tires each stop or is this a place where you can gamble on two? I think this factor could play a role in a second tier team "Gambling" for a win, where the top teams will benefit if 4 tires are required each stop. Your thoughts

Mark Garrow

  (4:55 PM)

No doubt Paul, this is a track where teams will be gambling on tires and fuel at the end...remember earlier this year, Johnson won it on fuel mileage not overpowering everybody...we'll probably see two, four or no tires at the end..

Ken (Hendersonville, NC)

Mark: On paper Mark Martin shown be an obvious choice for this weekend, especially when you consider his potential price to performance. Martin he has the 2nd highest point average of any active driver at Phoenix. The problem I am having this week is the same problem I had with him last week and ended up not using him. His last 4 races have been 12th, 22nd, 9th and 18th which is OK but not the results you would expect out of him, especially with his averages at each of those tracks. What are your thoughts about this weekend.

Mark Garrow

  (4:56 PM)

Martin will be back in form this weekend...this is one of his favorite cars at DEI and its also his last race for DEI..He goes out with a bang..not a whimper..

Lee (NE)

What was wrong with Hamlin all last race? Never did a damn thing but sit about 17-22nd all race.

Mark Garrow

  (4:57 PM)

Good question...lap tracker showed him as one of the best cars in Happy Hour...

JerryMan (Truckee River,NV)

who do you like as a budget guy for this week? if not 15, then who?

Mark Garrow

  (4:58 PM)

You start out looking at Reutimann...Allmendinger should get some looks because of Martinsville performance..I also think Gilliland might be top-15 material too..and believe it or not I'm going to keep a close eye on Marcos Ambrose because Phoenix is like a road course with all left hand turns..and we know what kind of road racer Ambrose is.

Billy (TN)

All Knowing-All Seeing, Please rank these for Phoenix 18, 1,6, 5, 26,42 Thank you for your response.

Mark Garrow

  (4:59 PM)

Billy here's my top-20 pre-race rankings....1. Jimmie Johnson 2. Carl Edwards 3. Jeff Gordon 4. Denny Hamlin 5. Jeff Burton 6. Mark Martin 7. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 8. Clint Bowyer 9. Kevin Harvick 10.Tony Stewart 11.Greg Biffle 12.Martin Truex, Jr. 13.Kyle Busch 14.Kurt Busch 15.Bobby Labonte 16.Matt Kenseth 17.Casey Mears 18.David Reutimann 19.Jamie McMurray 20.Ryan Newman

Lee (NE)

What concerns do you have about Kenseth? Been running well lately, 7/10 races at Phoenix top 10. What gives, besides a gut?

Mark Garrow

  (5:00 PM)

I think Kenseth is safe but don't know how hard he's going to push it...from a max point standpoint I lean against him..for take it to the bank money..he's 8th to 13th when this is over in my opinion.

Ryan in Lincoln

Mark, In my league 1st and 2nd are out of reach, but I'm trying to hold onto 3rd place. Right now my team is 99,48,17,2,10. What changes should I make and for who? I would like to work in the 24, & 11, but I would have to loose the 99, 17, & 2 to make that happen. what would you do? Thanks Guru!

Mark Garrow

  (5:03 PM)

You shouldn't be burned too bad by team you have now..but you might want to blow it up..think you can do better than 17 and 2 in the same price range and that might allow you to add 44 for 10..

Lynn (MO)

Do you feel there is a better, equal way of doing a fantasy nascar league rather than the salary cap? We have about a dozen people with a group of drivers (pretty much the top 6) we can only take a couple of, then the rest are free game. Many of us aren't fans of the ESPN way even though I do them just for fun without incentives. Was a little intrigued by the idea of picking drivers before qualifying.....thoughts?

Mark Garrow

  (5:04 PM)

Well, do I have an opinion on that? Yes, I do..........but...........did I say I had an opinion on that...lol...

Cactus Jack (New Mex)

Denny Hambone. will he contend for the win this week?

Mark Garrow

  (5:05 PM)

Not sure about win...but should be hanging around top-five and that gives him a chance...

Kevin, Detroit, MI

Mark who is better this week 48 or 99. Need 4 from, 1,5,6,9,18,26 or 88. Need 2 10,28,44,83. Should I hold 83 till Homestead? I'm out of 1st by 17, my compotition is out of key drivers 48,24,9,18,88,16,83. I can use all of these guys over the next 2 races, only 16 & 88 1 more time.

Mark Garrow

  (5:06 PM)

48...88,1,5,18........go 44 and 28 and if you can use 83 only one more time..save him for Homestead...

Mike (Los Angeles)

18 or 24 this week?

Mark Garrow

  (5:07 PM)

24

Tony Stewart

Guru,do you likie me for a top 5 this week?I just been riding around since I got my yearly win(just had to for my ego) cause I just do not want to be in a Toyota.

Mark Garrow

  (5:07 PM)

Sorry Smoke...I see a top-10...you'll look good..but not great and that's no crime...so no need to do the "time"...

TIN CUP

Thanks for the redeeming weekend with 26, 44! Chat with ya Sunday...

Mark Garrow

  (5:08 PM)

Glad I'm back on your "A" list and not the _____ list!

Lynn (MO)

I'll send some good love to the evaluation e-mail (if you post it again) if you can give me some ideas? Would you e-mail me back YOUR fantasy nascar plan?

Mark Garrow

  (5:09 PM)

For those who want to e-mail me with suggestions for getting better info to you or just want to tell me how great I am ( I send those to my mom)..lol...address is tg2vt@aol.com...

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, Pick 2 from drivers 1 thru 10, 2 from drivers 11-20, and 2 from the remainder.

Mark Garrow

  (5:11 PM)

48..99.......88 and 11......8 and either 44 or 43..

Mark Garrow

  (5:12 PM)

Got to run everybody...Thanks for tuning in...Talk to you Sunday...The Guru has left the building!