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Busch looks to master the tough Bristol track

Sharpie 500 traditionally is frustrating for drivers but entertaining for fans

Image: Kyle BuschGetty Images
In nine Sprint Cup races at the Bristol Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch has six top-10 finishes and two wins.

11 to 20
No. 31
Jeff Burton: Burton won the 2008 spring race at Bristol and was fast earlier this year at the track. He will be fighting for another top-10 finish this weekend.
No. 2 Kurt Busch: Busch has won five races at Bristol during his career, but in his last five races at the track he averaged just a 18th-place finish. He is still a strong option, but we wouldn't anchor our team with him.
No. 33 Clint Bowyer: Bowyer has cracked the top 10 in four of his last five starts at the Bristol. He should finish near the top 10 once again.
No. 5 Mark Martin: Martin has averaged a 13th-place finish during his 41 career starts at Bristol. He should finish right around his average this weekend.
No. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya: Montoya has cracked the top 20 in his past four Bristol starts. We like his chances to do it again Saturday.
No. 39 Ryan Newman: Newman has five finishes in the top 10 and four finishes in the 30s during his last nine races at Bristol. His inconsistency makes him a bit of a risky play.
No. 47 Marcos Ambrose: Ambrose wasn't intimidated by Bristol in his first Cup race at the track this spring. We have learned long ago to not pick against the Terrific Tasmanian.
No. 00 David Reutimann: Reutimann was impressive at Bristol this spring. He is a solid choice as a third or fourth driver in any league.
No. 29 Kevin Harvick: Harvick has 11 top-10 finishes in 17 career races at Bristol, but we hate how he is driving lately. He isn't worth using as anything but a third or fourth driver in fantasy leagues.
No. 12 David Stremme: Stremme has three consecutive top-20 finishes at Bristol. He might surprise on Saturday.

21 to 30
No. 96
Bobby Labonte: Labonte's average finish at Bristol during his career is 19th. We think that is about where he will finish Saturday.
No. 19 Elliott Sadler: Sadler has struggled at Bristol lately. This isn't the weekend to bet on the No. 19.
No. 07 Casey Mears: Mears has just one top-10 finish in 13 career starts at Bristol. He won't contend Saturday.
No. 44 A.J. Allmendinger: Allmendinger has just one top-30 finish at Bristol in his career. His lack of consistent success at the track makes him a risky selection.
No. 83 Brian Vickers: Bristol is a track that Vickers wishes NASCAR would skip. We recommend saving him for another weekend.
No. 1 Martin Truex Jr.: Truex Jr has averaged a 25th-place finish at Bristol during his career. The success he had at the track while in the Nationwide Series has yet to carry over. We like other drivers much better this weekend.
No. 20 Joey Logano: Logano had a very tough visit to Bristol this spring. He will be better this weekend, but it is going to take the rookie a few trips to master the difficult track.
No. 6 David Ragan: Ragan continues to struggle, and we don't see that changing this weekend.
No. 55 Michael Waltrip: Waltrip is making his 46th career start at Bristol and should finish just outside the top 25.
No. 26 Jamie McMurray: McMurray has finished outside the top 20 in seven of the last nine races at Bristol.

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31 to 35
No. 98
Paul Menard: Menard has cracked the top 25 in three of the last four Bristol races, but we just don't feel he has enough to do it again this weekend.
No. 7 Robby Gordon: Gordon has finished in the top 30 in four of the last six Bristol races. We expect he will be fast enough to accomplish that again this weekend.
No. 43 Reed Sorenson: Sorenson has never had much success at Bristol during his career. We don't recommend using the No. 43 car this weekend.
No. 77 Sam Hornish Jr.: Hornish Jr. will struggle to crack the top 30 at Bristol.
No. 09 Aric Almirola: Almirola was excellent at Bristol in 2008. Was it a fluke or does the No. 09 driver have the tough track tamed? We will find out Saturday.

Field Fillers
No. 08 Terry Labonte
No. 82 Scott Speed
No. 71 David Gilliland
No. 34 John Andretti
No. 13 Max Papis
No. 64 Mike Wallace
No. 66 Dave Blaney
No. 87 Joe Nemechek
No. 78 Regan Smith
No. 4 Scott Wimmer
No. 36 Mike Skinner
No. 37 Tony Raines

Brownie's Picks

Top Four
1. Kyle Busch
2. Carl Edwards
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Tony Stewart

Sleepers
1. David Reutimann
2. David Stremme

Bust of the Week
Brian Vickers



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