March 6, 2010

Burton Wins Kobalt Tools 500 Happy Hour

Jeff Burton had the quickest average time in Happy Hour for the Kobalt Tools 500 with a speed of 179.359 mph during 45 laps. His fastest circuit of 185.158 was sixth best, which gives him a great balance of speed and durability.

Our View Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has a ton of momentum, so this could be Burton's opportunity to score a second top-five in 2010 like he did at Auto Club Speedway.

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Martin fastest in Kobalt Tolls 500 Happy Hour

Mark Martin posted the single fastest lap in Happy Hour practice for the Kobalt Tools 500 with a speed of 185.524 mph.

Our View Races aren't won on a single lap, however, and his average speed of 178.074 during 45 laps was well down the chart. Moreover, last year Martin finished 31st in this race but was in top form during the fall with a fifth.

This weekend could go either way for the veteran.

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Ky Busch, Said run out of room in Atlanta Happy Hour

Kyle Busch and Boris Said ran out of room exiting turn two at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the closing minutes of practice and the two made contact. That will effectively end the session for the No. 18, which was 23rd on the speed chart.

Our View The damage on the No. 18 is not very great. It appears that it was all behind the wheels so he probably won't have to roll out a backup.

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Biffle slaps wall in Kobalt Tools 500 Happy Hour

Update: Greg Biffle has rolled out a backup.

Biffle slapped the wall 10 minutes into Happy Hour for the Kobalt Tools 500 and sustained significant damage.

Our View Expect him to roll out a backup car and give up his 13th-place starting position. Driver can come from the back at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but winning from there is nearly impossible.

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Menard notably fast in Kobalt Tools 500 practice 1

There weren't a lot of surprises on the average speed chart, but one name jumped to the forefront: Paul Menard posted the second quickest average speed of 180.614 during 27 laps.

Our View If you are looking for a sleeper this week, give Menard a second glance. Last fall, he was well worth starting in the fall Pep Boys Auto 500 with a 15th-place finish.

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Stewart wins Kobalt Tools 500 practice 1

Tony Stewart had only the 21st fastest lap in Saturday's first practice session, but races aren't won in a single circuit. His average speed of 180.900 during 25 laps was the fastest in the field.

Our View Stewart was the "cookie-cutter" king for a while—before Jimmie Johnson came along—and he is hungry to regain his crown.

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Johnson posts fastest lap in Kobalt Tolls 500 practice 1

Jimmie Johnson posted the single fastest lap in Saturday's first practice session with a speed of 189.694 mph.

Our View His average speed of 180.128 during 35 laps was not bad either and it ranked sixth on that chart. Once more, he will be one of the drivers to beat on Sunday.

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