This weekend the Nascar Nextel Cup Series heads to Dover for the Dodge Dealers 400.  Held on the "The World's Fastest Mile", the Dodge Dealers 400 is the 2nd of 10 races in the Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship.  Last week, Clint Bowyer served notice to the rest of the field by dominating at Loudon, winning the pole and the race.  Can he make it back to back this week at Dover?? 

When it comes to racing at Dover, track position is the most important factor to determining how a driver will finish.  The groove at Dover is mainly at the bottom of the track and the car has to be able to stay in the groove or risk getting freight trained by the rest of the field.  That means a good handling car is important through the corners and horsepower is essential in the straightaways.  Pit strategy is real huge at Dover and the ability of a crew to gain driver positions late will be a factor in determining who wins this race.  When it comes down to it, this race will more than likely be won by the driver who shows great patience, has a great handling car and who has great pitstops, especially as the race winds down.

Ryan Newman would have to be labeled as the King of Dover.  In the past 10 races run here, Newman has won 3 times with 7 top 10's overall.  His 8.80 average finish is ranked 3rd among active drivers, with only Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin ahead of him.  Jimmie Johnson would be Hendrick Motorsports best bet this weekend, with Johnson recording 2 wins and 6 top 10's overall in the past 10 Dover races.  Since this is a COT race, you have to consider which teams have strong COT programs, which means all Hendrick and Gibbs drivers will be strong at Dover.  Denny Hamlin has the best average finish at Dover, but he's only run 3 races there.  He does have 3 top 10's in those races and he does run well in the COT.  He'll be looking to rebound after last weeks 15th place finish

Others to Watch

Carl Edwards - He's had success at Dover with three Top 10's in six races. Edwards placed third in June's race, second in Sept. '06 event and ninth in Sept. '05 race. Edwards has also posted six Top 10's and four Top 5's, including a first and a second, in the last 10 races.

Martin Truex Jr. - He's placed well at Dover early in his career, clinching a win and two Top 10's in three races. Truex won in June's race and placed sixth in last year's Sept. event. He's also run successfully recently, notching four Top 10's in his last six Cup races, including a fifth last week at New Hampshire.

Mark Martin - He's racing a limited number of Cup events this year, and Dover is one of his stops. Martin has won a Cup-high four times among active drivers at the track. He's also first in Top 10's (6) and second in Top 5's (4) in the past five seasons.

Kyle Busch - With three Top 5's in five trips to Delaware, Busch is as good a bet as any to put in a good run this weekend.

What the experts think

My pick - Johnson - In the spring race, Johnson was closing quick on the race leader Martin Truex Jr before he blew a tire. Considering his past record here, Hendrick's record in the COT races and the fact he's got one of the best crew chiefs in the series, Johnson is my pick.

Sleeper pick - Greg Biffle - He's raced to five Top 10 finishes in 10 career starts at the track including a current three-race streak (sixth-place finish in June). Biffle won the Spring, 2005 event and has raced to six consecutive top 15 rides.