Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:00 PM)

Good afternoon everyone...thanks for joining me for our weekly Wednesday afternoon fantasy racing chat...so let's get this partaaaayyyy started!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:01 PM)

Just in...All of the Penske Penalties upheld...Penske will make the final appeal to Chief Appellate Officer John Middlebrooke.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Who do you think will win the Aaron's 312 & 499 at Talledega?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:05 PM)

How about an upset winner like Elliott Sadler Saturday and Sunday watch out for Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth or Brad Keselowski.

Josh (Phila)

Do people actually play fantasy nascar? thats sad

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:06 PM)

Yes, they do Josh...and we have a lot fun doing it..and we love everybody my friend.

Zach (Fennimore, WI)

If I need to swap out Brian Vickers for Talladega (Assuming only the driver who starts the race, reportedly Hamlin, earns points), would you suggest picking another driver in his price range (Michael Waltrip, David Ragan, or David Gilliand, for example) or dropping one of my lesser "upper tier" drivers and taking a pair like Paul Menard and Jeff Burton?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:07 PM)

Look at what Danica Patrick did at Daytona..I think she'd be the natural pick for Vickers who might be an automatic trade...

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:08 PM)

By the way need to mention...NASCAR confirmed a little while ago that while Hamlin may say he's going to start Talladega and then turn it over to Vickers at the first caution...Neither their team of doctors or NASCAR has given him the cleareance to do that so we're waiting to see if Hamlin gets a thumbs up or a thumbs down for this Sunday's race.

pat (atlanta)

hello guru,If Hamlin starts and Vickers takes over for the #11, Which driver gets the credit(points) in our "guru league".. thanks party man, Pat

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:09 PM)

Pat, the points always going to the man or woman who starts the race...even if Hamlin runs 5 laps and Vickers all the rest...and you're welcome!

Tim (Saratoga Springs)

Hey Gar-dude! Who do you favor in plate races...drivers that try to be up front all day or guys that sit in the back and wait patiently to make a run? Does that change your picks? Drop some knowledge on us, please.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:14 PM)

There's really no safe place to be..but we've seen guys get in trouble more often than not trying to make a big rush up through the field at the end. I like the guys who run up front and try to stay there. I think they learn more about their cars and forge relationships early in the race that might come in handy at the end.

Bill Scott (Lake Summersert, Illinois)

Hell-o Mark, Well I had the 5, 55 and 56. Kahne took all 3 of 'em out in one shot @ Richmond! That's been my luck this year. CDM Fantasy Cup , I'll will add big $ to value with an eye to Darlington. 29, 99, 48, 15, 20, 24, 43 and (gulp) 31. Your thoughts? I'm curious where these cats land in your top 30. Thanks for your effort in this world of Fantasy NASCAR. OH, I LOVE IT SO ! Bill

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:18 PM)

Bill sometimes those of us who reach for the sun...dare to be great..do get burned...that's my story and I'm sticking to it. With 100 laps to go at Richmond I was gold..by the end a lump of coal. Your team on paper seems as good as any going into Talladega...Almirola continues to surprise with new found consistency..and Burton isn't a bad bet at Talladega.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:20 PM)

As for my pre-race top-30 I close my eyes and picked numbers out of a hat...just kidding..unless they prove to be way off after the race Sunday...lol...1.Clint Bowyer2.Brad Keselowski3.Matt Kenseth4.Kyle Busch5.Jimmie Johnson6.Dale Earnhardt, Jr.7.Kasey Kahne8.Kevin Harvick9.Jeff Gordon10.Greg Biffle11.Jeff Burton12.Ryan Newman13.Danica Patrick14.Paul Menard15.Kurt Busch16.Carl Edwards17.Tony Stewart18.Martin Truex, Jr.19.Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.20.Michael Waltrip21.Regan Smith22.Aric Almirola23.Jamie McMurray24.Joey Logano25.Juan Pablo Montoya26.Trevor Bayne27.Elliott Sadler28.Casey Mears29.Bobby Labonte30.Dave Blaney

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Do you think that Danica Patrick will get another Pole for the Aaron's 499 at Talledega since Daytona & Talledega are the same?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:21 PM)

The two track aren't really the same Chris, but she's got a bullet for a superspeedway car and should have a shot to start up front again. If she runs like did at Daytona, Danica, and I'm not kidding, has a shot to win.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Mark, officially back in Orlando for the summer. Now just need an internship or summer job after another one fell through. Anyways, I am throwing darts to pick this week, so here goes.Y!: 15-43-27-81 (Sadler) ESPN: 20-15-2-78-17. Thoughts?Also headed to the 600 in 3 and a half weeks and am hoping to finally meet the Guru! As is my older brother, Uncle and our buddy Drew. Would be awesome.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:25 PM)

Good luck with the internship hunting...as for your Y! team..can live with the first three..15,43, and 27..but think 55 with Waltrip better pick than 81..Last fall Waltrip probably had the race won if Stewart doesn't block him into a big last lap pile-up..ESPN team okay...20,15, and 2 should run up front and have a chance to win..78 is a real sleeper and Stenhouse was solid 12th at Daytona so that group could score you some points...And maybe we can find a way to meet at Charlotte..that would be great.

KARL (COLUMBIA)

OK; I know it is a royal tossup but; If you wanted to take a flyer in a couple leagues to try and make a difference could Mikie W. be that difference maker? He is in good equipment...

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:27 PM)

He's in good equipment Karl..and again most people didn't realize at the time Waltrip was going to win at Talladega last fall. He had timed his run perfect and if Stewart doesn't try to throw the block that wrecked just about the entire field we'd still be talking about how Waltrip came out of nowhere to win...So, for a one off deal and daring to be great...Waltrip could be the boy.

Zipnada (St Paul MN)

Surprised your not at the R&D Center breathlessly waiting for an announcement. Seeing as I'm sitting here waiting for more snow (yes snow!) give me some news to get me back in the racing mindset . . . . . . PLEASE

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:31 PM)

Zippy...heard about the snow..it's May 1st right?..wow...I wasn't at the R&D center because I did the Sirius XM show from 11-3 with Chocolate Myers..been sitting in this chair for five hours now..could be about to get messy..lol...sort of like your snow...only in yellow..:)

Zipnada (St Paul MN)

btw . . . updates are off. Don't know if you can do anything about it but . . . . .

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:32 PM)

I can't but hopefully someone at ESPN sees your little note...sorry.

Wayne (Beaverton, Oregon)

Good afternoon Mark. First, thank you for your chats... they are helpful. Second, do you think the 48-team will finish top-10 at Dega? Third, do you think the 2/22 teams will have their penalties reversed or reduced? Thank you.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:34 PM)

First, yes Johnson could and should finish top-10 at Talldega...Secondly, first Penske appeal turned down flat. Now it's on to final appeal and I don't see them getting much help there either..I might get surprise but doubt it.

Mike H (NJ)

Does the Penske appeal mean that the 2 will have his crew chief at 'dega?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:35 PM)

Yes, that means Paul Wolfe will be in Alabama on top of the war wagon.

Mike H (NJ)

Mark,Looking for a good sleeper pick, who do you like best out of the 31,22, and 27 - I am favoring the 27. Thanks.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:38 PM)

Mike, I actually favor Burton..he was top-10 in both races at Talladega last season and was runner-up there in fall of 2012...Thinkers race...a race a conservative driver does well..I favor Burton over Menard who's pretty good there but more like top-15 good compared to top-10 good.

KARL (COLUMBIA)

I ended up keeping the 99 last week (yeah!) My team is 99, 5, 15, 20 and now 55. Might as well keep it yes/n?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:38 PM)

Why not Karl...looks good on paper.

Windy City Dan (IL)

Hi Guru! I'm thinking for Yahoo group selecting 20-88-78-21? What do you think? Will wait to hear about Vickers for the ESPN picks. Matt looked really good in Daytona until the engine expired. I'm thinking he could be really good again this weekend. Thanks! Dan

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:39 PM)

Dan, I think that's a pretty good team, but Michael Waltrip may be a better sleeper than Bayne.

Windy City Dan (IL)

Which 4 drivers do you think have a good shot at winning the pole this weekend? Thanks! Dan

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:42 PM)

Danica is going to be very fast again...that means Hendricks will be bullets too..Kyle Busch..Greg Biffle..those are the ones that come to mind.

Windy City Dan (IL)

What do you think about Montoya this weekend? Could he carry over some momentum from the Richmond race?Thanks! Dan

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:44 PM)

It's possible..this team has had some fast cars all year..He qualified seventh at Daytona but wound up 39th..and that's how his season has gone..up until last week...so don't know if it's a new trend or a "lucky" race.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

What Race do you think that the Rain at Talledega will affect this weekend?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:44 PM)

At this point, it's really too far out to know Chris.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Think I will take your advice Mark for the 55. You think Vickers gets that ride next year by the way? And contact you through e-mail about that potentially? Know you are busy with the radio call on PRN and us chatheads through the week. Would be pretty cool to finally meet the all knowing Guru. Thanks again for the chats!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:46 PM)

Vickers is doing and saying the right things...and is very good friends, longtime friends with crew chief Rodney Childers...If the sponsor goes for it is the big question and will a big name driver we don't expect pop open?

Zipnada (St Paul MN)

Weather in Bama not looking good for practice or qualifying so what would that do as far as scrambling the field?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:47 PM)

It's a plate race...qualifying virtually means zip, nada, and almost nothing.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:51 PM)

Did my under arm alarm go off? I feel so alone all of a sudden..lol

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Alright one last question Mark. W/Quicken Loans sponsoring Penske's Indy Car outfit, you think they go to sponsor their NASCAR operation next year in a 3rd car? Say with Hornish?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:55 PM)

That's a possibility Nick because Penske has a way of using his vast business interests to find ways sponsors can do B to B with him and then tie in the car sponsorships to it. He got Penzoil away from Richard Childress because he made a deal to buy that oil for his rental trucks...dealerships etc...

Zipnada (St Paul MN)

Sorry had to go gas up the snow blower :- P

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:56 PM)

Dude, if you're living anywhere, even as beautiful as Minnesota is, where it can snow on May 1st...time to take a serious look at moving a little farther south...just saying..lol..

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

With the Weather being bad for Practice & Qualifying will that mean that the Aaron's 312 be Postponed?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:56 PM)

It might..that's why Monday's are held open at every track..NASCAR will get the race in one way or the other.

Windy City Dan (IL)

Guru, Speaking of your Sirius radio show, It reminded me that I took an action picture of Chocolate Myers throwing a gas can back over pit wall in Michigan 1993. Does he ever appear at the RCR trailer on race weekend?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:58 PM)

He doesn't go to the track much anymore..but you could send the picture to him care of Richard Childress Racing in Welcome,NC and I'm sure he'd be glad to sign it and send it back.

Big T (snowy wyo)

Just got over a foot of snow and still snowing, who says Mother Nature doesn't have a sense of humor?? Who would you pick from the 56,42,10,7,47? You have Danica rated above the rest.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

Big T...you have got to watch out for the Global Warming...and no there are times Mother Nature doesn't have a sense of humor that's for sure..Given how she ran at Daytona I'd take Danica. The pole for the 500 was mostly car, but she drove a heady race and deserved to finish better than eighth. She actually had a chance to win in the closing laps, but missed a golden opportunity to switch lanes due to the lack of experience. But Danica looked very comfortable with the plate racing I wouldn't be surprised at all she was fast and up front again Sunday.

Zipnada (St Paul MN)

Come up here in August for soem walleye fishing and you'd know why I stay.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

I hear that Zippy!

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

I saw about Women in History at Talledega Janet Guthrie (Finishing 32nd & 29th)

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:03 PM)

I've got to run...thanks so much for being part of our chat today...Talladega race day chat Sunday morning at 10:00 eastern...Until then have a great week!!! Sad to say but must "The Guru has left the building."