Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (2:58 PM)

Good afternoon everyone...from rainy, chilly North Carolina...let's get this partaaayyy started!

terrylee vaughn (ware shoals,sc)

hey mark whos your top 5 for lowes this week start with the winner.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (2:59 PM)

My pre-race top-five....Stewart, Martin, Gordon, Montoya, and Johnson...I'm predicting Stewart backs up Kansas with another win so he can keep contact with Johnson in the title fight.

Ken (Oregon St.)

Hey Mark -- Man, if loving your chat is wrong, I don't want to be right! That aside, I was wondering who your dark horses are for Saturday night? I'm not so much talking about the longshots as I am the talented drivers who have not faired so well recently/caught some bad breaks. Many thanks.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:02 PM)

Ken..thanks for the props...one of the top ESPN fantasy people coming to Charlotte this weekend to see what we do on race day morning...so if anyone hasn't written to tg2vt@aol.com to give the props or criticism to show this person please do...Going to put them together to show this person....As for what you're looking for driver-wise..I think Dale Jr. fits that bill. He's been strong lately and has nothing to show for it and you know sooner or later something will break right for him. David Ragan, who finally broke through for a top-10 at Fontana..Kevin Harvick..I expect Brian Vickers to be pretty stout this weekend..David Reutimann is very good on tracks this size..Kyle Busch hasn't done much lately but I think that changes Saturday night too.

Kevin (Detroit ,MI)

Mark realy need your help this wek. Who out of the chase drivers will dominate this wek a Charollet? Who out of the buget boys? Need to out score my rival my 50 points the remander of the chase. Thanks for h the help Guru.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:06 PM)

I just gave my top-five Kevin and they are all Chase drivers so that will give you some direction there..As for the budget boys..Bill Elliott has a low value and he's a 16th to 20th place driver. In other words, I think you can pencil him in for a little over 100 points and he'll give you some cap space room too. David Ragan was great at Fontana and he should be solid again..Ragan has a chance to do that again and is only .7 more than Elliott. I think Dale Jr. is another possibility.

Mike (Utah)

Mark, I don't know what I would do without all your great advice and insight in who is doing what each week. I rebounded nicely with an 810 last week. First time ever in the 800's. Now, I have 48-5-42-29-6, should I hold on to them or can I improve this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:07 PM)

Mike, at this point I would hold on to what you got..On paper no reason that group can't be solid again at Charlotte. Things may change between the start of practice tomorrow and race day, but right now that's pretty solid.

Ryan (Gilbert, AZ)

Hey Guru, how does my future look with this team? 48,24,33,29,02? You would think Gilligan would run good in JGR equipment, and he hasn't been bad on the cutters in his career.......Thoughts?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:11 PM)

48 and 24 I can live with..I'd go up a little to get Kahne..or down a little to get Kyle Busch instead of Bowyer...I'm good with Harvick at this point as potential top-10..Gilliland?...don't know about that one..we'll have to wait and see how they can perform..his value is way down at 12.9..so that would be attractive if you figure he can at least get you a top-20..Yes it is JGR equipment, but this will be this team's first race and first JGR race for Gilliland so I'm not sure what to expect at this point.

zilla (mn)

hey guru, whats your thoughts on the 6 and 12 teams this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:13 PM)

I'd rank 6 over 12 going in that's for sure. Ragan finally showed flashes last week of the way he ran a lot last year, but very little this season..There's only .1 difference between the two, but a bigger gap when it comes to being a potential top-10, top-15 finisher..I think Fontana was a sign of things to come for Ragan here at the end of the season.

Rob (Atl, GA)

Guru, Thanks for your help week after week. This last week had 48,5,42,29, and 55 and scored big. Had a question about this week.. does Gilliland driving the 02 mean that he is driving for Joe Gibbs racing? If so, do you think they are going to give him a quality car or experiment with him and make him a start and park threat? Looking at freeing up some cap space to make some adjustments this week. Thanks for you help as always!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:15 PM)

Gilliland will definitely not be a start and park and as I just said that deal is huge question mark because it is the first race with this team and Gilliland. On the plus side, Gilliland did get a chance to try out their equipment subbing for Kyle Busch last Sunday and that can't hurt.

mike p (danbury ct)

hi mark, listen need a little help. we have six races left. i am in first place in my fantasy league. the drivers i have left are 88,9,00,1,29,14,48 33. dega is double points race while homestead is triple.i was thinking to take either 00,33or the 9 for charlotte. after that for double 29or14 last race 48 or 14. martinsville 88 atlanta 29 ,00 phoenix 48 or 14 last 14 or 48 depending who needs to do better. please rank mine from charlotte to the end. try your best to help me double dega last race triple. also rank your pick and your winner.thanks. you help a lot.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:20 PM)

Mike, I'm a little confused but I'll give it a whirl..If you're thinking of 48 for last race..think about this..If all he needs to do is finish top-10 he's just going to cruise and not push it just like a year ago..00 and 9 would be decent picks for Charlotte..48 for Martinsville..29 and 14 should be good at Phoenix..Not sure if I was much help Mike don't really don't know the rules to your game..that would help I guess.

Brett (Iowa )

What's up with the Guru? First off can u rank the following groups for LMS for me? A-5/18/24/48/99 B-00/1/9/11/14/20/39/83/88 C-7/25/43/44/47/77/82. Also I have 1 start with JPM where should I use him? He's never ran this good late in the season so I'm a lil stumped on this one. Thanks

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:24 PM)

A..5,24,48,18,99....B...14,11,9,39,83,00,1,20,88....C...25,47,77, 44,43,82,7.......As for Juan Pablo I would probably hold on to him..Charlotte hasn't always been one of his best tracks..I think you can save him for another race where you can be a little more sure about what he'll do. Although, I will say this the way he's been running you can almost forget about his past stats.

Billy (TN)

All Knowing-All Seeing, Lord of the Lugnuts-Fabled Guru, please rank these lowly drivers for LMS 21, 25, 43, 44, 47, 77 Thank you.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:25 PM)

25,47,21,77,44,43 says the Lord of the Lugnuts..that's kind of catchy..like it..lol

Daniel (Indiana)

hey Mark, how do you think the following eight guys will do come Saturday night, thoese guys being: Martin, Jimmie, Kurt, Kahne, Juan, Vickers, Brad K. and Hornish? Thanks a lot!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:27 PM)

Martin, Jimmie, Juan potential top-five..Kurt, Vickers and Kahne potential top-10...Brad K potential top-15..Hornish top-20 maybe.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:27 PM)

Martin, Jimmie, Juan potential top-five..Kurt, Vickers and Kahne potential top-10...Brad K potential top-15..Hornish top-20 maybe.

Steve (Texas)

hey mark, who are a few drivers that may surprise and wind up in the top 15 before the race is done, got anyone?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:28 PM)

I think Mr. Ragan comes immediately to mind..maybe Keselowski..I also think Truex, Ambrose and Mears have a shot to do that and might not be blips on the radar screen going in.

RAY GORDON REID ( CARY NC 27213)

QUESTION TO MARK GARROW AT 3.20PM AGOOODWEDNESDAY WHOS THE CHARLOTTE GURU HAVE FOR SATURDAY NIGHT

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:29 PM)

Ray Gordon...I'm predicting Tony Stewart muscles up to send a message to Mr. Johnson.

Andy (Westfield)

Submitting early today as I have several questions. (1) With only two 48 left, would you use him this week or save for M'ville and PHX? (2) Only have one 2 and one 11 left, what is their best remaining track (Talledega?)? (3) How do you envision Keslowski doing this week? THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:30 PM)

Yes, I would save 48 picks..this hasn't been the best place to race for him lately..I'd also hold off on the 2 and 11...Keselowski is potential top-15 based on solid performance at Kansas, the last time he drove the Hendrick Motorsports #25.

Mark (Edmonton, Canada)

Good Wednesday afternoon Guru! Looking for your advice on one more driver. I need one driver from 08 09 13 21 34 36 37 55 64 66 71 82 87. Also, I have one more start for 14 and 11. What would be good races to use these drivers? Thanks again for all you do!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:32 PM)

I like Bill Elliott a lot because he doesn't normally get into trouble and that team takes the green now looking at finishing from 16th to 20th and pretty much has begun to do that on consistent basis. I'd like Stewart at Phoenix..Hamlin at Martinsville..

Werewolf (London)

Which irregular driver do you like the most for a good finish Saturday night and why?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:33 PM)

You've heard me yacking already about Elliott and Ragan..Gilliland might provide some $$ cap relief but won't know until we see how fast he's in practice in fourth Joe Gibbs car.

Dave (Aiken)

What is your taken on the 02 with Gilliland at Charlotte?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:34 PM)

Dave..talked a bunch about that already...Again..lots of questions right now and no real answers..but he'll need to be watched.

Jeff (Santa Barbara, CA)

First off I want to say thanks for all the help this year (1st out of 38 in my league shows the all mighty wisdom of the Guru). What are some of the other tracks to look at past performance when trying to gauge who will do well at Charlotte?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:35 PM)

I think the two most recent races on 1.5-mile tracks Kansas and Atlanta..Last week at Fontana should also be part of the gauging process.

Rikd (FL)

First all I gotta say thanks for advice last week. My third gutty week of staying with 14,5,48 and adding 6,12 (your advice) resulted in 781 points. This week going 14,5,48,21,Gilliland(02 Gibbs). Your opinion

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:36 PM)

I'd stick with 6 and put the 21 in Stremme's place at this point...Take the 02 only after he's proved in practice and qualifying they have some speed in that JGR Toyota.

Kevin (Austin)

Weather could bite the 02/Gilliland if they don't qualify, who is your bargin guy(s)?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:37 PM)

No doubt there's a real chance qualifying could be rained out..Bill Elliott is my current "floor" and he still makes the field if it rains..

Andy (Westfield)

Guru - have 2 starts left with 48. Use him this week or save for M'ville and PHX? What are Kurt Bush and Hamlins best tracks left (Talledega)?Also, what do you expect out of Keslowski this week? Keep up the great work and will try and send a thank you e-mail for "the boss" later.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:37 PM)

I'd save them....hey wait a minute...I've already answered you....

JJ GLOOR (Hicksville)

Well i make a million changes usually 48,42,17,20,6 GOT me a 756 not too shabby!!!!!! But juan has average here is terrible! Should i dismantel this team and pick up MY FAV #14 and go 48,14,31,29,6?? Or should i put JR in ??I hate to do that cause he is cursed!!!LOL 88 has 5 top 5's and 9 top 10's in just 19 career starts????

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:41 PM)

My gut tells me..14..trade 42 for 5..take 18 instead 17..then 29, and 6..should be able to fit under your cap...Your second team scares me because of the 31..talk about snake bit...Junior has burned me so much lately with a strong car, strong run and weak finish, he's got to put together a full race before I can go there again.

Vince (LA)

Can you rank these drivers: 20,88,1,29,26,44.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:42 PM)

29,1,20,88,26,44

Bill Pickle (Beantown)

Well Guru, it was a tough weekend for the Red Sox. But let's put that behind us. Now it's time to give the people what they want. And that's your pre-race Top 25. As always, you are the man!

Mark

  (3:43 PM)

Red Sox went out with a whimper..hate to see that..can take getting beat...but to go down without a fight tough to swallow ...I'll do you five better...here's my top-30........ Tony Stewart 2. Mark Martin 3. Jeff Gordon 4. Juan Pablo Montoya 5. Jimmie Johnson 6. Denny Hamlin 7. Kasey Kahne 8. Kyle Busch 9. Ryan Newman 10. Carl Edwards 11. Kurt Busch 12. Brian Vickers 13. Greg Biffle 14. David Reutimann 15. Matt Kenseth 16. Clint Bowyer 17. Kevin Harvick 18. Brad Keselowski 19. Martin Truex, Jr. 20. Jeff Burton 21. Joey Logano 22. Marcos Ambrose 23. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 24. David Ragan 25. Casey Mears 26. Bill Elliott 27. Sam Hornish, Jr. 28. David Stremme 29. Jamie McMurray 30. A.J. Allmendinger

hugh (vega$)

any clue if the start and parks are the same or have any (nemechek) got a full sponsor for charlotte?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:46 PM)

Nemechek will be start and park...Bliss might not be in #71 because they have sponsor TaxSlayer.com..Nemechek will probably be start and park as will..Mike Wallace, Dave Blaney, Travis Kvapil, Sterling Marlin, and Michael McDowell..

Jo (LA)

Mark - scored 810 last week, need to keep rolling with 800's to winn scc. Got the 48, 42, 5 and 6 locked along with 29. Do I drop 29 and for who or do I keep riolloing with that team this Saturday. Keep up the good work and it wasn't for your chats Wed and Sat/Sun, I would not be playinf scc.Thanks again

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:48 PM)

JO..At this point I'd stick with 29 and see how things develop once things get on track in Charlotte..Truex or Dale Jr. would be about the only place to go.

Bob (LA)

Any love for the Biff this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:48 PM)

I've got him ranked 13th going in, which means I see him as top-10 potential..so there's a little love right?

Todd (ATL)

Do you prefer a)42 and 17 or b)9 and 16?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:49 PM)

42 and 17 by just a tick.

James (Nashville)

What's the 48, 5, 18, 29 and 21 sound like for Charlotte?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:49 PM)

James..I can live with that team..700 plus minimum..

JJ GLOOR (Hicksville)

OH i forgot to ask should i let jimmie go?? I got him 1.0???

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:50 PM)

I think Stewart is the better pick this week, but not by much..and it's hard to go wrong with Johnson in the playoff..

Doug (Wis)

okay, let Alan alone...Hamlin really is a bum!!!!!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:51 PM)

Easy Doug...Nurse Helga has a "thermometer" with your name on it too...lol...

Nick Rolando (Orlando )

I'm going to ask this question since the Florida game will be on during the chat Saturday. Thoughts on the line-up of 5-42-9-77? Or trade the 9 for 14? Also, you see this RPM/Yates mreger getting done and as a four car team?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:52 PM)

Nick you can do better...I likek the 5,42, and 9..but would take 14 over 9...Need to do something other than 77 though because there are better options..Hornish will be okay, but other budget boys will be better.

Al (Philly)

Guru, what can we expect from Kyle? If you were leading the league would you gamble with Kyle or roll with Martin and or Gordon?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:53 PM)

Kyle is going to get back into form Saturday night..but I'm rolling with Martin..His average finish in the first four Chase races is 3.6.

Josh (Lake Norman)

Somebody here has started a bad rumour that Bush has Swine Flu, any truth you heard of this?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:53 PM)

No idea..I certainly hope not.

Matt (ATL)

When qualifying get rained out, Gilliand won't be racing.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:54 PM)

From Jayski.com...if you don't go to this site for NASCAR news you're crazy...Here's what Jayski has in regards to possibility of rain..In the event qualifying is rained out or cancelled:the eight who would make it [8]: #'s 09,25,08,21,71,82,87,66missing the race would be [5]: #'s 36,37,64,13,02

Ryan (Roswell)

Guru, I can only start Montoya 2 more times this season. Should I add him to my team with a chance to start him this Saturday, or hold off for two more races down the road? Thanks

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:55 PM)

Ryan I would hold off at this point.

Ryan (Roswell)

Guru, is that email you provided earlier your personal email or is it a higher ups email address?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:55 PM)

That's my e-mail address.

Steven (Clover, SC)

What is up with the Bobby Labonte ride, start and park or full race?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:55 PM)

He should be running the full race.

mike (danbury ct)

is kasey running the r6 engin at loews

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:56 PM)

I don't think so..They said they were sticking with the old engine until further notice after R6 blew up and I haven't heard anything to change that.

Ryan (Roswell)

Is this Ambrose best shot to run top 10 for the rest of the season?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:58 PM)

No, I don't think so...He was fourth earlier this year at Talladega...and was 14th at Phoenix and I think he'll be top-10 material there when he goes back...Not sure I see him with top-10 chops in Charlotte.

Ryan (Roswell)

With Allocations now at a minimum and I am seeing a lot of people asking these questions, you think maybe you could whip something up that ranks each driver by each track for the rest of the season?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:58 PM)

I'll consider that..probably will take it though on case by case basis because of a lack of time..but will consider it.

Doug (Wis)

I hear nurse helga is one hot nurse

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:59 PM)

Warm hands..but here she stores her special "thermometer" in the freezer...lol..

JJ GLOOR (Hicksville)

Doug i hate to tell you this but I am no hamlin fan but Bum certainly dont apply to the 11 at all!!!!! Maybe the 88!!!!!! And just a little Thanks to you GURU i am 6th out of 95 in my league! Thanks Again!!!!!!!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

Now there's a great place to end it..Don't forget we'll be chatting at around 2:00 eastern this Saturday afternoon...until then have a great week...Once again with great sadness we must announce "The Guru has Left the Building!"...Elvis please close the door and get me a peanut and jelly sandwich....

Denny Hamlin (home)

OK, last week I was a bum. I made a STUPID mistake that will probably cost me a shot at the championship.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

Couldn't resist as I was walking out..look who's back..Have a great week everyone...