NASCAR 2012 AdvoCare 500 Race Picks & Predictions
By ATSSportsline.com
HAMPTON, GA (ATS Consultants) - The Sprint Cup Series heads to the Atlanta Motor Speedway for the 25th Cup race of 2012 on Sunday at 7:30pm, September 2. It’s the 2012 AdvoCare 500.
With two races to go before the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, the top-10 drivers in points are beginning to solidify their spots in the playoffs. Heading into this race Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch have the two wild card spots in the Chase, but that could change in Atlanta.
There are still 5 other drivers in 11th - 20th in the Sprint Cup standings that could potentially steal a wild card spot from Kyle Busch. Last year at this race, Jeff Gordon overcame a vibration issue late in the race and overcame Jimmie Johnson during the closing laps to win the race that was delayed two days due to Tropical Storm Lee.
Matt Kenseth 8-1
The No. 17 team dominated Texas and finished 14th at Charlotte. Kenseth led 103 laps and had a much better car at Charlotte then that finish would indicate. Kenseth owns a 9.5 average finish at Atlanta in the last four races and will be in the hunt for the win on Sunday Night.
Carl Edwards 12-1
Edwards has performed well in his career at Atlanta and his average finish position is 13.57 (ASP 10.1). He has won a total of 3 races in Atlanta and had 10 T10 finishes in 14 career races. In his last two races in Atlanta he has finished in 2nd and 5th, so he needs a win here as time to qualify for the Chase is running out.
Long Shot
Marcos Ambrose 50-1
Ambrose drives for Richard Petty Motorsports organization that helped Kasey Kahne win a couple of races at the 1.5 mile track. He has already showns he can finish strong at 1.5 mile tracks in 2011. He finished 11th and 10th in his last two starts at Atlanta. Could be in for a big day and an upset.
2012 AdvoCare 500 Information
Race Date: Sunday, September 2
Location: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Start Time: 7:30pmET
Green Flag: Approx. 7:46PM ET
TV Coverage: ESPN
Radio Coverage: Perforamnce Racing Network (PRN/Sirius NASCAR Radi)
Track Type: 1.54 mile 325 laps, 500.5 miles
Recent Winners
2011 Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 124.623 mph
2010 Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 129.041 mph
2009 Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 134.272 mph
2008 Carl Edwards, Ford, 134.272 mph
2007 Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 135.260 mph
Last year's top 5
1. Jeff Gordon (Start: 5)
2. Jimmie Johnson (17)
3. Tony Stewart (20)
4. Kurt Busch (10)
5. Carl Edwards (7)