Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Violence widens ahead of Greek austerity vote

Stewart out to smoke Miami field

Although not in Chase, veteran has been hottest driver during playoff

Image: Tony Stewart

I see Jeff Gordon being in the hunt for a win on Sunday. He has never made it to Victory Lane at Homestead-Miami, but the four-time Cup champion has placed in the top 10 in his last four races at this track.

Watch Reed Sorenson, who'll be in the No. 41 car, which with Casey Mears behind the wheel had the Miami race won last year until a late caution flag came out, setting up a great finish with Mears coming home fifth.

My darkhorse is Martin Truex Jr., who during recent testing at Homestead-Miami was termed to be "stupid fast" by Dale Earnhardt Jr.  

Keys to success at Homestead-Miami
This track was renovated for the 2003 race to add variable banking to what was a flat course. The move paid off as the racing has been much better, and passing has increased.

There's been more side-by-side racing, creating more competitive races.

  ALLEN BESTWICK ON NASCAR

Johnson knows anything
can happen in season finale

In 2003, 12 different drivers held the lead, and there were 21 lead changes. In 2004 there were 14 lead changes among seven drivers, and last year there were 21 lead changes among a dozen drivers. 

Goodyear will bring a firm tire to the race, but there still should be a lot of slipping and sliding because with the blistering sun that shines on the venue throughout the year, the track surface is always susceptible to losing grip.

This will add another element to deciding both the race winner and Cup champion.

Every driver wants to cap his season with a good result, but like at other tracks, posting a solid finish at Homestead-Miami takes more than a great setup and near flawless driving.

It also helps to have good fortune on your side.

© 2012 MSNBC Interactive


< Prev | 1 | 2

advertisement
Slideshow
Kobalt Tools 500
  Earning a trip to victory lane
Take a look at every NASCAR driver who has claimed a checkered flag this racing season.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
SUBWAY Fresh Fit 600
  Revved up for racing
Take a look at how some NASCAR fans express their dedication to the drivers and to the sport.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Danica Patrick,  Helio Castroneves
  Danica Daze
Danica Patrick is expanding her repertoire from the IRL to NASCAR.

more photos

Slideshow
Coca-Cola 600
  Celebs at the track
Take a look at the stars who have attended NASCAR races.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Brian Vickers
  NASCAR crashes
Sparks fly and cars spin out wildly when NASCAR drivers get into accidents.

NBCSports.com

INTERACTIVE
"Taxi" Film Premiere
NASCAR wives and girlfriends
They're fixtures in pit row, but they don't drive on the track or work on the cars. Take a look at some notable NASCAR wives and girlfriends.