OPR Staff and Fan Fantasy Picks for NCWTS, NNS and NSCS at Gateway and Michigan

Following the antics of a tricky triangle and a garbage bag producing some late race excitement, the next challenge awaits for the stars of the top three NASCAR National touring divisions. The NNS and NSCS get to head to the Irish Hills, while the NCWTS make their long awaited journey back to Gateway.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Gateway 

So does anybody remember which track produced the famous three Green-White-Checkered rule? If you guessed Gateway, you’re pretty smart as you’re correct. The 2004 showing of the truck race on the 1.25 mile oval resulted in four restarts that ended up forcing the race 14-laps beyond it’s proper distance since the only rule that NASCAR had in place was the fact that the race must finish under green flag conditions. Shortly thereafter, the three G-W-C rule that you know today was adopted.

Flash forward to this year’s event, the Drive for Linemen 200 on Saturday night will mark the first race at the track since Kevin Harvick’s victory in 2010. So will the experience of veterans who raced there play a role? Or will a young kid steal the show?

Managing Editor: Ashley McCubbin
Pick #1: Erik Jones – Jones’ background is late model short track racing. Well, let’s see – he’s good in a truck and this is a short track. Makes sense to me.
Pick #2: Matt Crafton – In the six races so far this year, Kyle Busch has won four races while Matt Crafton has won the other two. So let’s see, since Busch isn’t in the field, I think you get the idea.

NASCAR Journalist Tayler Stiles
Tayler did not file her picks, so we will use her Dover picks – which are Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch – which becomes Matt Crafton and Erik Jones.

NASCAR Journalist Kreistina Blinova
Picks: Ron Hornaday and John Hunter Nemechek.
Ashley’s Comments: Hornaday is one of the drivers who has experience at Gateway in the past, including a victory in 2008. Meanwhile, John Hunter Nemechek may be a young stud, but don’t let that fool you as he was impressive in his previous starts this year.

Photographer: Ronald Costigan
Picks: Ron Hornaday and Matt Crafton

SpeedwayMedia.com Journalist Marshall Gabell did not place his picks so we will use his Texas picks, which were Erik Jones and Matt Crafton

Frontstretch.com Journalist: Justin Tucker
Picks: Ryan Blaney and Matt Crafton
Ashley’s Comments: Blaney is one of the young drivers who has yet to make a start at Gateway. Still, the strength that the Brad Keselowski Racing organization has shown each week and the fact that Blaney is good at adapting to new tracks, he should be good to go.

The Times Leader Journalist: Kyle Magda
Picks: Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter
Ashley’s Comments: In both starts that Sauter has at Gateway, he has a pair of top-five finishes.

Fan #1: Terry Wagner
Picks: Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter

Fan #2: Christina Cordner
Picks: Ryan Blaney and Matt Crafton

Fan #3: Billy Stiles Jr.
Billy did not file his picks, so we will use his Charlotte picks, which were Ben Kennedy and Ron Hornaday
Ashley’s comments: Even though he’s only a rookie, Kennedy has been quick so far this year so expect Kennedy to be a top-10 contender on Saturday night.

Fan #4: Billy Zardo has not sent in any Truck picks so we will not be able to count for him if none are received. To keep him in the running in the combined standings, we will give him the lowest total.

Fan #5: Robert Hill
Picks: Ryan Blaney and Erik Jones

Fan #6: Joni Stiles
Joni did not file her picks, so we will use her Charlotte picks, which were Kyle Busch and Johnny Sauter – which becomes Erik Jones and Johnny Sauter.

Fan #7: Tyler Sontag
Picks: Erik Jones and Matt Crafton

Fan #8: Jeni Harris did not file her picks, so we will use her Texas picks, which were Jeb Burton and Matt Crafton
Ashley’s Comments: Burton has been fast with each start this year with ThorSport Racing. Whether the young stud will get lucky, that’s another thing as bad luck has plagued him so far this year.

Current Truck Standings

1. Christina Cordner – 89
2. Justin Tucker, Terry Wagner and Kyle Magda – 85
3. Tayler Stiles, Marshall Gabell and Ashley McCubbin – 81
4. Jeni Harris and Kreistina Blinova – 80
5. Ronald Costigan – 78
6. Tyler Sontag – 76
7. Billy Stiles Jr. – 71
8. Robert Hill and Joni Stiles – 70

NASCAR Nationwide Series at Michigan International Speedway

After having a week to relax, the Nationwide Series kicks off their 18-race stretch of races with the high-banks of Michigan International Speedway on Saturday afternoon.

Managing Editor: Ashley McCubbin
Pick #1: Chase Elliott – Elliott has been very strong so far this yer and one of his wins came at Texas – a fast, high-banked cookie cutter. Hm, sounds familiar to Michigan.
Pick #2: Kyle Busch – Six Michigan starts. One Win. Five Top-Fives.
Pick #3: Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Everytime Earnhardt goes to Michigan, there seems to be magic in the air. Two wins, three-top-fives and four top-10s in four Nationwide Series starts at Michigan should lead to the No. 88 running upfront this weekend.

NASCAR Journalist Tayler Stiles
Tayler did not file her picks, so we will use her Dover picks – Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson.

NASCAR Journalist Kreistina Blinova
Kreistina asked for her picks to be the same as the previous race, so that’d be Dover – Jeffrey Earnhardt, Landon Cassill and Elliott Sadler.
Ashley’s comments: Both Jeffrey and Landon have experience but yet the unfunding of their teams has them falling short. For that reason a solid top-20 run would do good for them both. Meanwhile, Sadler needs to start posting top-fives to keep his chances alive – which he has yet to do at Michigan. He has posted five-top 10s in nine starts, though.

Photographer: Ronald Costigan
Picks: Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

SpeedwayMedia.com Journalist Marshall Gabell did not place his picks so we will use his Dover picks, which were Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth which becomes Elliott, Busch and Hornish
Ashley’s Comments: Hornish has only posted a single top-10 at Michigan in four Nationwide Series starts there. No fear, though, as this time may be different with the Gibbs package underneath him.

Frontstretch.com Journalist: Justin Tucker
Picks: Chase Elliott, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch
Ashley’s Comments: In five Nationwide starts at Michigan, Logano has a win and four top-10s. Plus, he has been bad fast with Penske all year.

The Times Leader Journalist: Kyle Magda
Picks: Regan Smith, Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch
Ashley’s Comments: Smith hasn’t been the strongest at Michigan over the years….but he did win the race last year. So based on his speed this year, yeah, we should be fine. Meanwhile, Larson has one start at Michigan – ending in a second place finish.

Fan #1: Terry Wagner
Picks: Chase Elliott, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch

Fan #2: Christina Cordner
Picks: Regan Smith, Chase Elliott and Brian Scott
Ashley’s Comments: In four Michigan starts, Scott has a pair of top 10s so look for the RCR driver to run well this weekend.

Fan #3: Billy Stiles Jr.
Billy did not file his picks, so we will use his Dover picks, which were Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, Regan Smith which becomes Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chase Elliott and Regan Smith

Fan #4: Billy Zardo
Billy did not submit his picks so we will use the same as we have all year to date – Ty Dillon, Chase Elliott and Sam Hornish Jr.
Ashley’s comments: This weekend marks Dillon’s first Michigan start in the Nationwide Series, tough he should be a solid top-10 runner based on his success so far this year.

Fan #5: Robert Hill
Picks: Sam Hornish Jr., Joey Logano and Kyle Busch

Fan #6: Joni Stiles
Joni did not file her picks, so we will use her Dover picks, which were Ty Dillon, Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott, which becomes Ty Dillon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chase Elliott.

Fan #7: Tyler Sontag
Picks: Elliott Sadler, Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Fan #8: Jeni Harris has not sent in any Nationwide Series picks so we will not be able to count for her if none are received. To keep her in the running in the combined standings, we will give her the lowest total.

Current Points: This marks the first round of the OnPitRoad.com Pick ‘Em Summer Nationwide Series Championship.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Michigan

After an interesting end to the Pocono race due to a trash bag on Brad Keselowski’s grill, we now head to the Irish Hills of Michigan to see what tricks the 1.5-mile oval can throw our way on Sunday afternoon.

Managing Editor: Ashley McCubbin
Pick #1 – Kevin Harvick – Harvick has been flat out fast and when the pieces comes together, he wins. He’s due for another win.
Pick #2: Jeff Gordon – Gordon has been solid fast this year and with two wins at Michigan in the past, he’ll be strong this weekend.
Pick #3: Jimmie Johnson – Even though Johnson has yet to find victory lane at Michigan, do not fear. The No. 48 is on a roll lately and even if he comes up short again, he’ll be near the front.

NASCAR Journalist Tayler Stiles
Tayler did not file her picks, so we will use her Dover picks – Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson
Ashley’s comments: Kenseth has been hit or miss at Michigan with a pair of wins and 18 top-10s in 29 starts. To add to that, Joe Gibbs Racing hasn’t had the best mile and a half package so far this year.

NASCAR Journalist Kreistina Blinova
Picks: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ashley’s Comments: Earnhardt + Michigan usually equals success. His two wins over the past couple of years answer the bell very well.

Photographer: Ronald Costigan
Picks: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ronald’s reasoning: The Hendrick three-some has been fast so far this year as they have wins, solid top-fives and the speed that it takes to win at Michigan. Each has been good there in the past so it should continue this weekend.

SpeedwayMedia.com Journalist: Marshall Gabell did not submit his picks, so we will use his Pocono picks, which were Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson
Ashley’s Comments: Hamlin has been strong at Michigan in the past with a pair of wins – but worry sets in surrounding the JGR package.

Frontstretch.com Journalist: Justin Tucker
Picks: Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ashley’s Comments: Keselowski has only two top-fives in nine starts on his home track with the speed that Penske has this year, he should do just fine.

The Times Leader Journalist Kyle Magda
Picks: Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson
Ashley’s Comments: Logano is a previous Michigan winner and if you’ve watched the cookie cutter tracks this year, you know that Logano will be good on Sunday.

Fan #1: Terry Wagner
Picks: Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Carl Edwards
Ashley’s comments: Edwards has 19 starts at Michigan with a pair of wins and 15 top-10s. Not to shabby chances of success coming this weekend.

Fan #2: Christina Cordner
Picks: Jimmie Johnson, Brian Vickers and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ashley’s comments: A previous winner at Michigan, Brian Vickers is hoping that success repeats itself this weekend so he can be in the Chase.

Fan #3: Billy Stiles Jr.
Billy did not file his picks so we will be using his Charlotte picks – Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Fan #4: Billy Zardo
Picks: Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ashley’s Comments: Busch has a win – though he also has only six top-10s in 18 starts at Michigan. Look for Busch to be inside the top 10, but perhaps not in the top-five just based on what JGR has shown this year.

Fan #5: Robert Hill
Picks: Clint Bowyer, Kyle Larson and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Ashley’s comments: Bowyer is batting a 50% at Michigan with eight top-10s in 16 starts, while Larson should be fast based on his success on the bigger tracks so far this year.

Fan #6: Joni Stiles
Joni did not file her picks so we will be using her Charlotte picks – Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr.
Ashley’s comments: Kahne and Busch have done well at Michigan in the past with three wins between them. With the Hendrick Motorsports engine power under the hood, that should propel them to some success. Meanwhile, Truex has done decent in the past with five top-10s in 16 starts.

Fan #7: Tyler Sontag
Picks: Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano 

Fan #8: Jeni Harris did not file her picks, so we’ll go with her Pocono picks which were Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards

Current Cup Standings

1. Kreistina Blinova – 123
2. Kyle Magda – 120
3. Justin Tucker and Marshall Gabell – 117
4. Billy Stiles Jr. – 116
5. Ronald Costigan – 109
6. Tyler Sontag – 105
7. Robert Hill – 101
8. Tayler Stiles – 95
9. Terry Wagner – 85
10. Ashley McCubbin – 82
11. Billy Zardo – 80
12. Joni Stiles and Christina Cordner – 79
13. Jeni Harris – 63

Combined Standings

1. Kyle Magda – 85+120=205
2. Kreistina Blinova – 80+123=203
3. Justin Tucker – 85+117=202
4. Marshall Gabell – 81+117=198
5. Ronald Costigan – 109+78=187
6. Billy Stiles Jr. – 71+116=187
7. Tyler Sontag – 76+105=181
8. Tayler Stiles – 81+95=176
9. Robert Hill – 70+101=171
10. Terry Wagner – 85+85=170
11. Christina Cordner – 89+79=168
12. Ashley McCubbin – 81+82=163
13. Billy Zardo – 70+80=150
14. Joni Stiles – 70+79=149
15. Jeni Harris – 80+63=143

If you’d like to join the picking forray, shoot me an e-mail at ashleymccubbin@speedwaymedia.com with two drivers that you think will do well in Saturday’s truck race, three drivers (one not being a Cup regular) that will do in Saturday’s Nationwide Series race and three drivers that you think will do in Sunday’s Cup race.