The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' next stop is Bristol Motor Speedway's half mile coliseum for the fifth race of the 2009 season, the Food City 500. Take a look at past performances, season trends and insight from team contacts to get the best estimate of how the field should finish on Sunday afternoon.

When
Sunday, March 22; 2:16 p.m. ET

Weather
Partly cloudy with a high around 60; wind out of the SW at 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 10%.

The Track
Bristol Motor Speedway is a half mile oval with high banking around the entire track. The corners are banked 36 degrees with 16-degree banking on the straight-aways. This is a track where very few drivers have been able to dominate. Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon all have had decent success at the track, but that status can change with one nudge to the left rear bumper.

Key to Race: Don't bring your best car
The Bullring in Bristol has been described as flying an airplane in a gymnasium. There will be no cars that escape Sunday's race without at least a little sheet metal damage. The Food City 500 is one of the most entertaining on the circuit for fans and frustrating for drivers. Expect tempers to flare as the cars bump and bang. The driver that wins the race will be the one with the best set of pit stops and the most luck.

Qualifying Procedures
Forty-five cars will attempt to qualify for 43 spots. Starting positions 1-43 will be determined by two-lap qualifying runs on Friday, March 20 at 3:40 p.m. ET. Cars that were in the top 35 in owner's points following the 2008 season are guaranteed a spot in the race.

Cheat Sheet

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Top 5
No. 18 Kyle Busch: Busch has led at least one lap and has finished ninth or better in five of the last six races at Bristol. Rowdy had the top car in the August race and is the guy to beat on Sunday.
No. 99 Carl Edwards: Edwards won the past two night races at Bristol and has placed in the top 16 the past six races at the track. He is a great pick.
No. 29 Kevin Harvick: Harvick has 11 top-10 finishes in 16 career races at Bristol. He finished in the top four in both races at the track in 2008 and is a great option on Sunday.
No. 24 Jeff Gordon: Gordon has five wins and has led nearly 2,400 laps at Bristol during his career. He should be in the top five once again on Sunday.
No. 17 Matt Kenseth: Kenseth has 11 top-10 finishes in 18 career starts at Bristol. He has also led 539 laps during the last seven races at the track, making him a great option to finish in the top 10 on Sunday.

6 to 10
No. 33 Clint Bowyer: Bowyer had a great car at Bristol last March and has cracked the top 10 in his last four starts at the track. He should be back into the top 10 once again on Sunday.
No. 14 Tony Stewart: Stewart has led 769 laps in the past six races at Bristol. He brought a great car to the track last March and should be strong once again this weekend.
No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Junior has been very successful at Bristol in his career. In his last 15 starts at the track he has finished 16th or better in 13 of them. Look for him to earn a top-10 finish on Sunday.
No. 11 Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has led 275 laps in the past four races at Bristol. He should be fast enough on Sunday to bring home another top-10 finish.
No. 16 Greg Biffle: Biffle has never finished worse than 22nd and has seven top-10 finishes in 12 career starts at Bristol. He is a very good fantasy option on Sunday.

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