This weekend is so critical

[Teej]

Not necessarily my favorite driver in the world, but Jeff Gordon needs a maximum point weekend at Watkins Glen OR we can begin plans for an early August Winston Cup celebration for new champion Matt Kenseth.

This is the weekend Gordon has to use his superior road racing skills to begin widdling into Kenseth's lead. It has to happen this weekend OR the points chase is over...

[WestMcLarenF1]

And unlike Sears Point, if Robby Gordon gets in his way, he needs to put him into the gravel trap.

[crashcourse]

this is the week matt could be 30th or worse. he doesn't have the rep for road racing but he did ok at sears point,

[$noopy]

Originally posted by WestMcLarenF1
And unlike Sears Point, if Robby Gordon gets in his way, he needs to put him into the gravel trap.

He'd have to catch up to him first!

[HendrikGerhardt]

Kenseth was faster than Jeff Gordon on one day of testing at the Glen. Generally it seems the difference is smaller at Watkins Glen than at Sonoma. I expect Kenseth to be in the top-15 at least.

[indyracefan]

Originally posted by HendrikGerhardt
I expect Kenseth to be in the top-15 at least.

...barring any unforseen problem, I would say that's a 'given'.

[DaveL]

Looking at it another way, Gordon can less afford a bad weekend than Kenseth. If Kenseth has a bad race he's still the points leader with a large cushion. If Gordon has a bad race (like a dnf) and Kenseth does his usual, start printing the 2003 Champion T-Shirts with Kenseth's name on them. The pressue is on the hunter to keep pace, not the hunted.

[dog-ring]

I would really like to see Matt win this weekend and make the others suffer.............

[Truth Detector]

Yeah, but those post-race interviews would be painful!!

[4aljunior]

I agree with DaveL,barring some unforeseen injury
to Kenseth its all over but the shouting. Matt
Kenseth 2003 Nextel Cup Champion.

[DaveL]

Originally posted by Truth Detector
Yeah, but those post-race interviews would be painful!!

You mean you can stay awake when Kenseth gives an interview?

[hdolan]

Kenseth and the team are smart...a top 20 will be fine thank you...I look for a top 10...

[frodo13]

NASCAR will do whatever it takes to keep things interesting. Maybe a Kenseth DNF.

[HendrikGerhardt]

Sort of like they did with Gordon, Jarrett and Labonte...

[DaveL]

The question has been answered thanks to Harvick. Swapping 20 points back and forth for the next several weeks won't cut for Lil' E.