When you look at the list of drivers this weekend, you see some road course "ringers" replacing some of the regulars. Here's how they will fair during qualifying this weekend:
Ron Fellows (#01): He'll be in because he is replacing Regan Smith this weekend.
Brandon Ash (#02): He'll not make it because he barely has the equipment to make it, but expect him not to make the show.
Patrick Carpentier (#10): His experience in the Indy Cars at this track will help him make the field.
Marcus Ambrose (#21): After the performance of Montréal last season and during the Nationwide Series this season, expect Ambrose to make his Sprint Cup debut at Infineon.
Brian Simo (#34): Like Ash before, he'll have the equipment that will barely make it. Expect him not to make the show.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Dario Franchitti (#40): After his racing career of Indy and F1, expect him to do well at the track.
Scott Pruett (#41): Like Fellows before, Pruett will be in because he is replacing Sorenson this weekend.
Terry Labonte (#45): 1996 Cup Champion, he's in. He's also replacing Kyle Petty this weekend, as he is in the TNT booth.
Boris Said (#60): Put Said in any type of racing car and he will do well. He'll be in on Sunday, barring any rain.
Max Papis (#66): Papis has been racing in a few other series and expect him in the race.
Scott Riggs (#70): This car is a toss up because Riggs could do well to be in the race. Luck will need to be on his side, though.
Joe Nemechek (#78): You could probably expect to see Joe Nemechek not racing on Sunday. Just too many great road course ringers qualifying this weekend.
A.J. Allmindinger (#84): He has been an improving driver this season, along with teammate Brian Vickers. Expect Allmindinger to make the race on Sunday.
J.J. Yeley (#96): Though Yeley has been struggling this season, you can expect him to make the show on Sunday.
Overall, the four cars that will not make the show would be #02, #34, #70 & #78. The #78 will make it and the #60 will not from that list if qualifying is cancelled. Owner points would determine starting order.
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5 months ago
I always scratch my head at Brandon Ash. His team doesn't have the money to run races on the East Coast, except for Watkins Glen, where he's supposed to do well because he's supposedly a "road course specialist." Doesn't seem like he specializes in much to me, except not making races.
I just looked out the window and I can safely say that qualifying will not be rained out. I agree with your picks. Look for Said, Fellows, Labonte, and Pruett to run up front, because of their extensive stock car and road course experience. I expect Franchitti, Carpentier, and Papis to run near the middle of the field, simply because they don't have enough stock car seat time.
As an aside, it will be interesting to see what happens if Boris Said and Marcos Ambrose get near each other on the track. This is the first time they'll be seeing each other, mind you, since Ambrose dumped Said at Mexico City.
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