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Mark Garrow

  (2:57 PM)

Good afternoon everyone .....you know the drill...Let's get this partaayyy started!

Joe, Sioux City, IA

Mark, which team you like better for Coca Cola 600 a)48-18-99-9-20 b)24-18-5-88-20 of c)24-48-18-26-20 c) Another team that is tempting is 18-39-99-88-29 with Harvick as a base. Might have great upside potential but not sure if 88 and 29 really can put it together? tempting with 29 as base

Mark Garrow

  (2:59 PM)

Joe....you do know we're racing at Dover this weekend right?...lol....And any team with the 29 and 88 right now has a pungent smell....

Ryan F (Houston, Tx)

Is there a track that's comparable to Dover? Bristol is high banked with concrete but only a half mile. Also, I would assume this race will be much easier to predict the strong versus the weak since the race will be during the day and on concrete as compared to a night race on asphalt. Thus, practice speeds, driver interviews and crew chief notes will be more telling correct?

Mark Garrow

  (3:04 PM)

You look at Bristol and little bit and past history a little bit more...concrete is consistent surface and a number of drivers are consistent on it....for example in points scored over the two to ten races...Greg Biffle is tops in that category except for the last five races where he's ranked second to Carl Edwards...Cousin Carl is number two for all but two races when looking at the points scored...Also, yes all the information gathered at the track really does mean something. When Martin Truex, Jr. won this race two years ago, everybody and the brother called me nuts when I predicted he was going to win Sunday morning. He was that much better than the rest and you can't hide that at Dover even if you wanted to.

norm, palm springs ca

Hi Mark, I'll bet your are feeling lucky with monday''s rain race, I am, do you think the roush bunch can turn it around at Dover. They were 1-2-3 last out. I think Truex should run good this weeks. Thanks for the infor last week.

Mark Garrow

  (3:06 PM)

I think Biffle and Kenseth will be really good...I also think Edwards will be fast but his pit crew worries me. You have to make a lot of stops at Dover and they are hitting a "clinker" or two each week and that kills his track position, which is valuable every week, but especially so at Dover...I also think Truex is going to come up big this weekend...I dropped Vickers and put Truex in his place in my pre-race preview.

Billy (TN)

Hail to the All Knowing All Seeing Guru,Please rank these for the Monster Mile 44,43,47,77,96,25 Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (3:08 PM)

47,96,77,25,44,43....is how I see it now...subject to change obviously Sunday morning...thanks for the props from the "All Knowing All Seeing Guru"....

Ken (Hendersonville, NC)

Mark: Normally I would use both Edwards and Biffle at Dover. Edwards was 3rd and 2nd in '08 races and 1st and 3rd in '07. Additionally, his 151.67 overall average there is the best overall of all active drivers. Although he was 4th at Charlotte, that finish was more of a fluke than reality. None of the Roush teams are running all that well as of late and Edwards last 4 finishes before Lowes were 32nd, 26th, 24th and 10th. Biffle has the 4th best average at Dover (139.54) and, more importantly, his finishes in ?08 (1st and 3rd) and ?07 (6th and 2nd) are impressive. However, I have much the same problems picking Biffle at Dover. His last five finishes are 20th, 8th, 17th, 7th and 5th which is not a great deal of a reward for spending 21.2. Right now Kyle and Newman look a little safer. Does the Roush camp pull itself out of the doldrums this week?

Mark Garrow

  (3:10 PM)

I like Kyle and Newman this week a lot..but..you can't ignore Biffle's incredible consistentcy at Dover...I have him ranked behind Busch 1-2 at the top of my pre-race rankings....Again, I think Edwards is going to be fast but crew could sink him.

Ken (Hendersonville, NC)

Mark: My current team is the same as yours?.18, 39, 5, 83, 20. Keeper for Dover? Vickers and Sliced Bread worry me somewhat but the only trade I am considering is changing out the 83 for the 1. Your thoughts?.

Mark Garrow

  (3:11 PM)

Great minds think alike...I've dropped Vickers for Truex...Another pre-lim change is BIffle for Newman...but I may switch that one back...

Mike (Los Angeles)

Mark, what are you thoughts on trading out the 5 for the 99 this week? I know Martin's been hot, but a good run and a top 5 last week might be what the 99 team needed.

Mark Garrow

  (3:13 PM)

I still think Martin is safer pick...I think he'll be top-five potential and is hitting on all eight cylinders right now and Edwards' team is not...as he continues to have problems when he pits road...Last week should be a morale booster but 99 team knows they lucked into top-five.

Dan, Ga.

Hey Mark, does Blaney have a sponsor this week? racing or parking?

Mark Garrow

  (3:15 PM)

Dan, I know where you're going with this one and don't do it....No sponsor for the race...will probably start and park...and if they don't won't have enough tires....Blaney's 9th and 12th last two races at Dover...but no way is he someone to pick this week...sorry....I wish Dave could run this race full out, then he'd be worth thinking about.

Mark Garrow

  (3:15 PM)

Dan, I know where you're going with this one and don't do it....No sponsor for the race...will probably start and park...and if they don't won't have enough tires....Blaney's 9th and 12th last two races at Dover...but no way is he someone to pick this week...sorry....I wish Dave could run this race full out, then he'd be worth thinking about.

norm, palm springs ca

Thanks, I did also but wanted to get some info here before making changes, Vickers does not run well here. You keeping Newman? Will weather be a factor again ( I hope not ). Tks

Mark Garrow

  (3:17 PM)

There could be some weather issues in Dover...Whoopee....I've swapped Newman out for Biffle at this point, but might swap it back..Newman's coming on and he just loves Dover...If he's not on my team when the green flag flies I'm going to be really uneasy for the whole afternoon I do believe.

Mike (Los Angeles)

Mark, will Sliced Bread keep up the hot streak or should I look move up to the 26 or down to the 77?

Mark Garrow

  (3:18 PM)

Logano has been 9th in three of the last four races and boy did he look good at Darlington and Charlotte...I'm keeping him on my team until I get a chance to look at practice speeds and our Sunday morning crew chief chatter...might make a change then but will need a really good reason...

Oink Johnson...Soggy Bottom,Ky.

Hi Mark. It seems you kinda like the 39 at Dover. Why? Thank you for all you do.

Mark Garrow

  (3:22 PM)

Oink...Once upon a time there was this boy from Indianna and he got together with a car owner from Michigan who had good equipment...and the boy nicknamed the "Rocketman" couldn't get beat when he took on the mean ol' Monster Mile....He won three out of four races in one stretch...and only once in 8 races finished worse than 8th....The moral of the story....If Ryan Newman has equipment as good as anybody else on the track at Dover, he's a bad mamajama...

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, You gonna hold Logano. Even with the rain he looked good last week, or is Dover gonna throw him off a bit. Other them him who do you set the floor at? Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (3:24 PM)

Dover is the first place he ran when he turned 18...that should help his comfort level..I'm not dropping until or unless something overwhelms me..Below him believe it or not...Robby Gordon might not be too shabby at 14.7....and just above maybe McMurray at 17.2....

Oink....Soggy Bottom, Ky

What do ya think about the 48?

Mark Garrow

  (3:25 PM)

Definite top-10....maybe top-five...

Richard(California)

Hi Mark,Do the extensive improvements at Dover (pit road especially) help some of the less experienced drivers?

Mark Garrow

  (3:25 PM)

I don't think it will be of big benefit to the drivers except getting in and out of pits....don't see that has anything major..

Mike (Los Angeles)

Thoughts on the 14 team this week? Keep him with the full segment in mind, or buy a guy with better history like the 18, 16, or 17?

Richard(California)

Mark, I forgot to congratulate you on your 750 last week.SWEET!

Mark Garrow

  (3:28 PM)

Just think if Mark Martin doesn't mess up on pit road I'm plus 800 easy....but it was SWEET!

Oink from Ky.

Subject Newman and about the Dover question. Thanks for that answer but that was then and this is now. Have a great one, Mark.

Mark Garrow

  (3:28 PM)

That's the point Oink....when he had a competitive car he ran up front at Dover...when Penske got behind he was junk on the Monster Mile...Now that he has great equipment..he'll be back up front.

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, do you think the MWR rumors about talks with Truex will impact the his team this weekend, tks.

Mark Garrow

  (3:31 PM)

It could but I don't think it will...these guys know best way to get Martin to stay is to win a race and finish up front on a regular basis...The 1 team got thrown for a little bit of a loop when Earnhardt-Ganassi switched to a common chassis Ganassi brought to the table...but with ECR engines they have plenty of power and are starting to get the car figured out..and this may be Truex's best track.

norm, palm springs ca

Jmac is too scary!

Mark Garrow

  (3:32 PM)

He sure is.

Oink...Ky.

Fair enough, Mark. Sold me.

Mark Garrow

  (3:32 PM)

Remember I'm considering switching him out for Greg Biffle..but I think Newman is really going to be good..and thanks for letting me twist your arm...lol...have a great day.

norm, palm springs ca

I'm thinking SHR racin is bout due for that 1st real win. Epecially after Tony had his talk with the 00 team and then the 00 team and MWR when out and got there 1st win. TS is running much smarter this year as an owner.

Mark Garrow

  (3:33 PM)

If SHR gets its first points win this week it will be Ryan Newman and not Tony in my opinion.

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, do the drop rules apply to SCC or it that just for Fantasy?

Mark Garrow

  (3:36 PM)

Don't know what you mean by that?

Anthony (Los Angeles)

How's Jeff Gordon going to do from now on?

Mark Garrow

  (3:37 PM)

Anthony, I think Gordon's going to remain consistent...I think this past Monday was just a bump in the road...he should be no worse than top-10 just about every week...top-five potential a bunch and take a running at winning another two or three races.

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, I agree Newman looks like he went back in time 5 years. How bout the pre-race rankings. Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (3:37 PM)

Here's my pre-race top-30..........1. Kyle Busch2. Greg Biffle3. Matt Kenseth4. Jeff Gordon5. Carl Edwards6. Mark Martin7. Jimmie Johnson8. Ryan Newman9. Martin Truex, Jr.10.Jeff Burton11.Tony Stewart12.Clint Bowyer13.Kurt Busch14.Denny Hamlin15.Brian Vickers16.Juan Pablo Montoya17.David Reutimann18.Joey Logano19.Jamie McMurray20.Dale Earnhardt, Jr.21.Kasey Kahne22.Casey Mears23.David Ragan24.Kevin Harvick25.Marcos Ambrose26.Brad Keselowski27.A.J. Allmendinger28.Sam Hornish, Jr.29.Robby Gordon30.Bobby Labonte

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, Sorry the un-dropable list.

Mark Garrow

  (3:39 PM)

I'm confused again....can you be a little bit more specific please?

Mark Garrow

  (3:39 PM)

I'm confused again....can you be a little bit more specific please?

Mike (Los Angeles)

Mark, you never answered my question on Stewart vs. the 18, 16, or 17!

Mark Garrow

  (3:42 PM)

Mike, I think he gets beat by all three..and I'd rank the other three..just like you have it 18,16, and 17.

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, Thanks for the list. Lot's of 88 rumor's floating around now. Any changes this week or just wind? They looked real bad last week, so did Harvick.

Mark Garrow

  (3:44 PM)

Rick Hendrick came out of NASCAR meeting yesterday and neither confirmed or denied rumors Tony Eury, Jr. would be Dale Jr.'s crew at Dover...That's not a good sign...something has to be done I guess because the only word I can come up with to fit what happened at Charlotte is pitiful....Harvick was even worse, but none of the RCR cars really ran worth a flip...while a couple of the Hendrick cars did.

Skip (NYC)

How bout the first half of this Barca game? Exciting! But guys are turning to the right too much. Do you think soccer would be more exciting if the rules only allowed players to turn left?

Mark Garrow

  (3:44 PM)

okay...............................................

norm, palm springs ca

It must be for Fantasy only, cut from ESPN. ESPN Fantasy Stock Car: UndroppablesThe following drivers have been labeled "undroppable" according to ESPN rules regulating fair play and competition. This list is subject to change at any time for reasons such as injury, personnel changes, etc. All standard ESPN leagues make use of this list, while customized leagues have the option to employ it. CURRENT UNDROPPABLES DRIVER Greg Biffle, #16 Kyle Busch, #18 Dale Earnhardt Jr., #88 Carl Edwards, #99 Jeff Gordon, #24 Jimmie Johnson, #48

Mark Garrow

  (3:46 PM)

Norm, I've played SCC for almost two years now and at no point was I not able to trade or drop any driver...I just switched out my team a little to put Dover preview together and had no issues like that.

Oink-Ky.

Mark, appreciate all of your info as always. I'm really concerned about the 48 and the 99 this week. What do you really feel about the two? Which would you pick right now if that's the only choice you have. Thanks and this has been fun as usual.

Mark Garrow

  (3:47 PM)

I'd probably go with Edwards...given consistentcy at Dover...I think both are lock top-10 this week...but don't see a challenge for the win...

Anthony (Los Angeles)

That list was really good, but there's one thing I don't agree with. Why is Jimmie Johnson all the way down at seventh? He's much better than most of the guys up there.

Mark Garrow

  (3:49 PM)

This is what's cool about fantasy sports...you think I'm all wet on the 48 and I think I have him positioned just right...a guy who's a lock top-10 and an "iffy" top-five..I can make a strong case for all six of the drivers in front of him....Let's meet back here next week and see who's right....okay?...Thanks..

Anthony (Los Angeles)

I think you need to move Jimmie Johnson up on that list. Dale Jr. is way too low, also.

Mark Garrow

  (3:51 PM)

For the equipment he's driving 20th is too low for Junior...but think about the disappointing run on Monday....You can be sure he's going to getting after it and Dover and two things will happen...He'll survive to run 8th to 13th....or trying to hard and wreck....So, I placed him in about the middle of what he could do and what he did at Charlotte...

norm, palm springs ca

Mark, Any word on the 9 getting the R6 engine this race?

Mark Garrow

  (3:52 PM)

Kahne is scheduled to use the new engine..and that's one of the reasons I ranked him so low...He hasn't run all that great at Dover recently and first time out with new engine is "iffy" proposition...

Mark Garrow

  (3:55 PM)

Well, if that's it ...going to run...don't forget we'll be chatting again this coming Sunday morning....until then may the force be with you....and now I leave Michael Buffer to announce "The Guru has left the building"!...have a great week ...