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Mark Garrow

  (2:44 PM)

Good afternoon everyone...going to jump on a little early because I can't go overtime today...So, let's get this little partaaayyy started!

Kevin (Va Beach)

Afteroon Mark, what are your thoughts about using 55 (Patrick Carpentier) as the "basement" this week. I'm blowing my team up and swinging for the (road course) fences...14-24-42-47-55. Could Michael Waltrip's laziness pay off for me? I'm not fallin' for Robby Gordon or Boris Said again.Thanks!

Mark Garrow

  (2:46 PM)

Kevin, I'm doing the same thing..I've got for a pre-race team 24,18,42,47, and 7...Robby Gordon figuring for once he'll keep himself out of trouble in Sonoma...and he was 16th last year..Carpentier could be a very good pick. He was 23rd a year ago and I think he'll have a little bit better equipment this time. Said is driving for an underfunded team so he won't be a factor. Gordon has risk, but he's got a lot of upside too. Carpentier will get a lot of my attention on race day chat that's for sure.

Ed (Dalton, GA)

Hey Guru, would you say it's imperative to have Montoya and Ambrose on one's team to score a lot of points? Also, what are your feelings on McMurray as an underrated road course racer?

Mark Garrow

  (2:48 PM)

I think we should expect Montoya and Ambrose to come up big on Sunday. I think McMurray can run top-15...He's underrated as a road course racer...Don't see a top-10 but can see him sneak in a top-15.

Daniel (Indiana)

hey Mark, how do you expect the following 8 guys to do Sunday: 18, 24, 14, 19, 39, 42, 7

Mark Garrow

  (2:51 PM)

On paper Daniel they should all do pretty well. The two wild cards are 7 and 19...Gordon is capable of great things and unbelievable meltdowns in Sonoma..Sadler has been top-20 in last four races out there and has done the same thing at Watkins Glen...very under the radar so he could be a little bit of a surprise this weekend...He's finished as high as sixth in Sonoma (2005) and 7th at the Glen (2006).

Steve (Texas)

hey Mark, which of the "road course ringers" do you expect to finish the highest?

Mark Garrow

  (2:53 PM)

At this point I'm rating Carpentier ahead of Fellows then Said. However, a couple of other guys that might be off the radar that are pretty darn good road racers A.J. Allmendinger and John Andretti..He's had a couple of third place finishes at Sonoma driving for Richard Petty. That equipment was good but not the best and he still ran up front. It's sort of like the circumstance he's in now so Andretti could be a real surprise..

Beth (WV)

Hey Guru, made up some ground with 752 last week. ThanksWhat do you think 18-99-5-26-29. 99-5-26 I have so many points banked in them I hate to drop them for a short term gain. Do you see any other way I can improve.. Thanks Love ya and the chat....

Mark Garrow

  (2:56 PM)

You're going a road this week that's going to be less traveled that's for sure. 18 is potential winner and top-five...99 is top-10 material as is the 5..26 and 29 feel at best like top-15..Can you improve that team? Absolutely, but if you do you might as well make wholesale changes. If you're not willing to do that just like it ride and then repeat after me (Forgive me Father for I have sinned...."..lol...

kevin (st clair shores,MI)

Mark, in yahoo who do you like Group A;5,18,24,99 Group B: 1,2,14,26,39 Group C: 7,47,said or fellows. Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (2:58 PM)

24 in close call over 18...I'd rate the 14 and 39 tops in Group B...Group C that's a toughie performance wise but 47 is going to always take better care of his equipment than Robbie..I've got both on my preliminary team...Call me crazy.

Billy (TN)

All Knowing All Seeing Divinely Inspired Guru, please rank these for Sonoma 47,55,96,7,6 Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (2:58 PM)

47,7,55,96,6...there you go Billy.

Cal (NYC)

Hey Mark. Which pre-squad, you like A)24,14,42,29,7 or B)24,18,42,47,7.

Mark Garrow

  (2:59 PM)

Cal...I'll go will "B"...I have to that's the team I picked out too...lol...

George (Atlanta)

Which one 24 or 14? And 18 or 5?

Mark Garrow

  (2:59 PM)

I'm rating the 24 over the 14...and 18 over 5...all four should have pretty good days though at Sonoma.

David (VA)

Guru- 2 questions. 1- Looking at your prerankings for this week you have kurt down at 13th. With his driver rating I figured you would have him higher, up near mark and newman. Any reason youre not sold on kurt this week? 2- I know he's hot, but do you have any hesitation on the 5 car this week with the time off from road courses, esp in the COT?

Mark Garrow

  (3:02 PM)

David...Kurt was a "tweener" for me this week. He hasn't done much at Sonoma the last two years but was top-five in 2005 and 2006 back when he had a car close to what the competition had. I think his equipment is much better than it's been the last two years so he could be a real sleeper this weekend...I ranked him 13th because not real sure what to expect from him, but can't see him any worse than top-15..As for Martin, nothing seems to get to this guy and Hendrick road race stuff is top shelf.

ED (LA)

Looking forward to Sonoma, how does 48, 5, 42, 33, and 7 look? How will Jeff Gordon's back affect his race? Is Hamlin worth a look now after a decent finish?

Mark Garrow

  (3:04 PM)

Ed...This really hasn't been a place Jimmie Johnson has thrived at. I think teammate Jeff Gordon is a better pick this week along with Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart up around his $$$ range. Bowyer in the 33 much better road racer than thought possible since he did none until he came into NASCAR. He hasn't really had a bad performance in his three Sonoma starts, finishing 16th, 4th, and 4th...Robby's a wild card but he's on my pre-race team.

Doug (Wisconsin)

Hi Mark...I need to know three things...you have #55 rated over #09, although Fellows has a good record here, and should have a decent car, or will #09 be a start and park? Also, is #7 rated to high with record here? And why #13 rated so low?

Mark Garrow

  (3:08 PM)

The 09 will not start and park this week. I was told that by their crew chief. I think Fellows is the best driver among the road course ringers but not sure just how good a road race car James Finch can put under him...I rated the 7 so high because of potential and gut feel he's going to pull back on the reigns a little bit this weekend, which should allow him to have a decent finish. As for the 13 and Max Papis..there's absolutely no way what to expect from him or a team that's on limited budget so don't know how much money and effort they put into this race. I'll be checking that out pretty close when I get to the track beginning Friday.

Richard ((California))

Hi Mark,First,did you make those last minute adjustments to your team Sunday? How did you do? For Infineon, 14-18-42-47-7, your thoughts.(it is an hour before the chat, so depending on timing, it could sound stupid if you already covered it!). Thanks as always, for your insights. I hope the glitches are fixed, and fans aren't sending their questions to the comment page.

Mark Garrow

  (3:10 PM)

No Richard I didn't...can you believe I wouldn't take my own advice on Martin, Montoya or Ragan..Sometimes "the Guru" is "the Idiot"...lol..I think your team is pretty solid..I like the 24 a little bit better than the 14, but consider Tony top-five material and that means,with a break or two, he can challenge for the win too.

RAYGORDON REID ( ROCKINGHAM NC 28379)

QUESTION TO MARK GARROW AT 3.20PM GREETINGS FROM OLD NASCAR TOWN MARK WHOSYOUR PICK FOR SONOMA

Mark Garrow

  (3:10 PM)

I'm going with Jeff Gordon in close finish over Montoya and Kyle Busch.

norm (palm springs ca)

Hi Mark, I need to make up 39 points on the leader to take over the lead for segment 2. Do you think Pat C. driving the 55 is worth a shot? Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (3:12 PM)

I think Carpentier has some po-tential no doubt about it..One of the tell tale things for him is how does he qualify..how much speed has he found..If he finds some speed he could do pretty well Sunday.

Norm (Palm Springs CA)

Mark, Have you posted your pre-race ranking yet? Any chance of a Kyle repeat?

Mark Garrow

  (3:15 PM)

Here's my pre-race top-30....and yes Busch has a chance to repeat...1. Jeff Gordon2. Juan Pablo Montoya3. Kyle Busch4. Tony Stewart5. Ryan Newman 6. Mark Martin7. Marcos Ambrose8. Clint Bowyer9. Carl Edwards10.Greg Biffle11.Jimmie Johnson12.Matt Kenseth13.Kurt Busch14.Robby Gordon15.Kevin Harvick16.Jeff Burton17.Denny Hamlin18.Brian Vickers19.Dale Earnhardt, Jr.20.Patrick Carpentier21.A.J. Allmendinger22.Martin Truex, Jr.23.Jamie McMurray24.Casey Mears25.David Gilliland26.Ron Fellows27.Elliott Sadler28.John Andretti29.Boris Said30.Sam Hornish, Jr.

jonny (VA) (south boston)

24,18,99,42,55 winner-winner-chicken dinner?

Mark Garrow

  (3:18 PM)

Jonny,I think that's a good team, but perhaps not a great one..if 55 comes through with a top-15..the others are top-10 material with 24 and 18 top-five and potential winners.

Carl (Johnson City TN)

Mark, I have a major problem. I have 48,17,99,5,77 i really like this team for a normal week and i have them all locked in really low. I have the lead in my league, do i change it for the road race?

Mark Garrow

  (3:22 PM)

Tough call Carl...This team will do okay at Sonoma, nothing to write home to mom about...maybe you can suffer through and not lose too much ground with these guys who should be pretty good at Loudon next week.

Billy (Tn)

Guru, are road races just about the drivers skills? I mean qualifying is not important and the RC supermen always dominate?

Mark Garrow

  (3:25 PM)

Bily it's about driver skills and getting track position..making the right pit calls to get it. Busch started what 30th last year when he won so it can be done..and the other part of the deal is staying on the course, which is easier said than done...It's a little bit of everything to have a really good day...and oh yeah having a "killer car" doesn't hurt either..lol..

Phil (texas)

how big of a party will be be if fellows can pull one off and give that team 2 wins this year?

Mark Garrow

  (3:26 PM)

That would be really cool Phil...but there's no way that will happen..I'd root for it, but I can't see it, I just can't.

Norm (Palm Springs CA)

Mark, Prior to the COT no car had won from further back than 13th. Then the last 2 years it been 32nd and 30th, any thoughts on that? Thanks.

Mark Garrow

  (3:28 PM)

Hard to say if that is indeed a trend or just a fluke..Montoya won on fuel mileage so that explains 2007...Busch was bad fast last year.

Carl (TN)

IF i decide to change it up, who do you recommend i drop out of 48,17,5,99,77

Mark Garrow

  (3:32 PM)

Is see the 24,18,and 14 better than 48..42 is going to be pretty strong and look what's he's done on some of big oval tracks this year..If you can afford it 47 for the 77 too..The highest rated driver you have in my pre-race rankings is 5 and I've got him slated at number six right now..

Billy (Tn)

Guru, you have Jeff Gordon ranked #1 in the pre-race line up. His comments about the road courses being the worst on his ailing back don't deter you?

Mark Garrow

  (3:34 PM)

If give me a little bit of pause..but I think he guts it out with no major problem..I came really close to putting Montoya as my number one..but Gordon's consistency at Sonoma is pretty amazing and that team is back in the form they had in 2006 when they won, which is a little bit better than than were running last year when he finished third at Sonoma.

Aaron (Dallas)

Who is your 3 drivers to have the best week finish possible 1-2-3?

Mark Garrow

  (3:35 PM)

Yo Aaron..did you really need to post this 20 times...lol....My top three are 24,42, and 18 with 14 just barely on the outside looking in..

Tim (Detroit, MI)

I always try to take a ringer on these courses. I think that the chemistry between the driver and his crew is very important and is something that all fantasy players need to look at with these ringers. Who do you think out of the ringers this week, has the best chemistry with their crew. (If you could rank them, that would be best but a simple answer would do as well.) Thanks

Mark Garrow

  (3:38 PM)

I've got the "ringers" rated this week led by Carpentier then Fellows and Said. And as I said before I think a guy like John Andretti could be very sneaky this week..I think we also need to keep and eye on Max Papis. He's driven these cars a bunch this year so he's more comfortable and he is a really strong road racer..

Richard ((California))

Mark, Seems that Hornish,jr. has been having a decent year, and can turn right, but you have him at 30th.?

Mark Garrow

  (3:41 PM)

This is a guy I really thought would do something last year in Sonoma and didn't do anything..then went to the Glen and did nothing..He's running better this year no doubt about it, but I'm not expecting much...maybe he'll surprise..just don't see anything spectacular.

Norm (Palm Springs CA)

Mark, Now that Denny has turned his luck around, do you see him running up front. You would think he too would be good on a road course as he seems to excel on the flat tracks. I was pleased to see him get 3rd, but did not pick him. Your thoughts.

Mark Garrow

  (3:42 PM)

Wouldn't you know it after suffering with Hamlin for three weeks I trade him and he finishes third..lol..I think he's top-15 material on road courses not much more than that at this point.

pj (duluth, mn)

Sliced bread this week...Toasted?

Mark Garrow

  (3:44 PM)

Yeah, I really think so..He went out to test at Sonoma in a Camping World West Series late model..tutored by Chris Cook..well known California road racer..but all Joey is going to try to do is keep in on course..All rookies look lost at this place and Logano shouldn't be any different.

Hunter (K.C.)

Who could be a surprise and win Sonoma?

Mark Garrow

  (3:45 PM)

How about a Ryan Newman..runner-up in 2006..top-10 in three of last four at Sonoma..

Tim (Detroit, MI)

Hey Mark, You posted my question but you never provided an answer, could you take a look at it again please?

Mark Garrow

  (3:46 PM)

I posted my answer and its in the transcript..so I don't know what happened on our end...but here's the answer again.....I've got the "ringers" rated this week led by Carpentier then Fellows and Said. And as I said before I think a guy like John Andretti could be very sneaky this week..I think we also need to keep and eye on Max Papis. He's driven these cars a bunch this year so he's more comfortable and he is a really strong road racer..

pj (duluth, mn)

what are your thoughts on this team....18,99,16,7,42?

Mark Garrow

  (3:48 PM)

18 and 24 potential top-five and winners..99 and 16 potential top-10..7 potential top-15..not a bad team..don't see it as "great" one though.

Richard ((California))

Mark, Do you ever check the comment section below the chat? The reason I ask is that last week Malibu Barbie was on with picture. Pretty lady, Killer smile!

Mark Garrow

  (3:49 PM)

No hated I missed that...do you have url address I can do look....now my curiosity has the best of me...lol...

Ken (Hendersonville)

Mark: Where's Alan...must be afraid to show his face. When he does he needs to go to the blackboard and write 100 times:Denny is not a bumDenny is not a bumDenny is not a bumDenny is not a bum, etc.

Mark Garrow

  (3:50 PM)

Funee...I'm kind of mad at myself because I let Alan maybe influence my Hamlin decision last week..then again he had burned me three weeks in a row...

Norm (Palm Springs CA)

Mark, You better stay away from Barbie!

Mark Garrow

  (3:50 PM)

Norm...I'm going to.."Ken" is no one I want to tangle with..lol..

Norm (Palm Springs CA)

Mark, As there are right and left turns, how important is the setup compared to a bamked oval? Thanks, Newman's bunch missed thiers last week.

Mark Garrow

  (3:52 PM)

They just try to even the weight out in the cars as opposed to have so much more on left than right..tough to get it right...but Hendrick road race stuff is really good so I expect Tony and Ryan to have a good day.

Mark Garrow

  (3:53 PM)

Well folks got to run..thanks for joining in...hope you all have a great week and that the "force" is with you...Don't forget Sunday chat this week is at 1:00 eastern...Until then..."The Guru has left the building!"

Ken (Hendersonville)

Not so fast big guy...at the blackboard next to Alan's you must repeat:Mark should repeat in the mirror 100 times?When the garage and half the world including myself says take Mark Martin, I should take Mark MartinWhen the garage and half the world including myself says take Mark Martin, I should take Mark Martin

Mark Garrow

  (3:54 PM)

Had to post one last one...and I hear big guy!