Busch looks to master the tough Bristol track
Sharpie 500 traditionally is frustrating for drivers but entertaining for fans
 Chris Mcgrath / Getty Images In nine Sprint Cup races at the Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch has six top-10 finishes and two wins. |
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The NASCAR Sprint Cup makes its next stop at Bristol Motor Speedway's half-mile coliseum for the Sharpie 500. We took a look at past performances and season trends and spoke to NASCAR contacts to give our best estimate how the field should finish on Saturday night.
When
Saturday, Aug. 22
7:43 p.m. ET
Weather
Isolated thunderstorms with a high around 80; wind out of the NNW at 7 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
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 straightaways. 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 Saturday's race without at least a little sheet metal damage. The Sharpie 500 is one of the most entertaining on the circuit for fans and most 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-seven cars will attempt to qualify for 43 spots. Starting positions 1-43 will be determined by qualifying on Friday, Aug. 21 at 5:40 p.m. ET. Cars currently in the top 35 in owner's points are guaranteed a spot in the race.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Top 5
No. 18 Kyle Busch: Rowdy has had the top car the past two races at Bristol. There is a good chance he can dominate again Saturday.
No. 99 Carl Edwards: Edwards won the past two night races at Bristol and has placed in the top 16 the past seven races at the track. He is a great pick.
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 Saturday.
No. 14 Tony Stewart: Stewart has led 769 laps in the past seven races at Bristol. He should be strong once again this weekend.
No. 11 Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has led 282 laps in the past five races at Bristol. He should have the No. 11 inside the top five when the dust settles.
6 to 10
No. 17 Matt Kenseth: Kenseth has 11 top-10 finishes in 19 career starts and has led 539 laps during the last eight races at the track. He is a great option Saturday.
No. 48 Jimmie Johnson: Johnson had one of the top-two fastest cars at Bristol this spring. He will be in the front all night.
No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Junior has been very successful at Bristol in his career. In his last 16 starts at the track he has finished 16th or better in 14 of them. Look for him to earn a top-10 finish on Saturday.
No. 16 Greg Biffle: Biffle has seven top-10 finishes in 13 career starts at Bristol. He is a very good fantasy option on Saturday.
No. 9 Kasey Kahne: Kahne brought a very fast car to Bristol earlier this year. He will finish in the top 10 once again.
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