ITA Brainerd Hot Pix

ITA Brainerd Hot Pix

The final leg of the season is about to begin as racers head north to the land of 10,000 lakes for this weekend's Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. ITA takes a look at who's hot in the alcohol categories going into this weekend's event.

TAD

1. Steve Torrence - Tom Conway has the hottest car out there right now. Will be very interesting to see what this car runs in the cool conditions forecasted this weekend.

2. Bill Reichert - A high of 68 forecasted for Saturday along with only 71 on Sunday has to have Bill Reichert excited. A sure bet to get into the .20's this weekend.

3. Art Gallant - Another team that runs, really, really well in good air. Should be a late round player.

4. Randy Meyer - Will haul ass like the rest, he just seems to have hot weather figured out better than than most. Still a definite contender to win.

5. Aaron Olivarez - Good air should equal a good Aaron. Team has thundered when the air comes around.

6. Ashley Force - Found the 5.20's when the air came around in Englishtown. If the track is any decent shape, .20's might be cheap.

7. Steve Federlin - If this was poker, given his weather draw, might be a good time to fold and pick up another race - Indy and Dallas may have better weather draws. Should be close to the top of the pack of blown cars.

8. Ken Perry - Usually flys in good air. Hard to put him this far down the list, but the Chicago winner held his own up there, wouldn't surprise to see him in the winner's circle again. Our TAD 'Dark Horse' of the week.

TAFC

1. Bob Newberry - With good air forecasted, should be a mid .50 bracket car all the way to the bank.

2. Frank Manzo - We stuck with our word of crowning Newb as the top dawg of TAFC right now. Manzo could even it back up by ousting him in Brainerd.

3. Jay Payne - He's 'all-in' as this is his last national race to claim. The Valvoline/Thunderslug team is essentially out of the title chase, but would love to make this last race count.

4. Dennis Taylor - Will be interesting to see how this left coaster does against the boys from the east. Should hold his own.

5. Tate Branch - Good air could spell trouble, this car flies in good air and good tracks. Would love to see this team bounce back from that fire with a win in their new Dodge Stratus.

6. Cy Chesterman - Defending World Champ could reestablish his status as a title contender by taking out the big guns this weekend.

7. Mick Snyder - Will be interesting to see what the 'converter guys' do in this weekend's conditions. Could we see the first converter 5.50?

8. Paul Lee - May prove to be a spoiler this weekend as he gets back behind the wheel of the car he drove to three national event wins last year. Our TAFC 'Dark Horse' pick of the week.

Performances:

TAD-
5.21/278
TAFC
5.53/261

 

tom,

let me 'qualify' my statement better...the first tafc converter 5.50.

thanks for keeping me straight..lol