ITA Joliet Hot Pix

The Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Series heads to the first of two national events in the 'Windy City' this year. With a June date, who will prevail this weekend? ITA gives you the rundown with our Hot Pix.

TAD:

1. Bill Reichert - Has the car to beat in TAD right now. Fresh coming off a win in Brainerd last weekend.

2. Randy Meyer - Has a car that has been very hard to beat of late. Despite stumbling in Topeka, look for Meyer to rebound and give the field fits in Chicago.

3. Aaron Olivarez - Look for the Armored Coatings/Lucas Oil team to rebound in Chicago. Hard to keep a team this good down for long.

4. David Wells - Despite struggling at his past two events, still has a pretty tough racecar. With a touch of heat this weekend, should mix it up with the leaders and be a late round player.

5. Marty Thacker - Starting to look like the Marty Thacker of old. That could spell trouble for the rest of the field.

6. Art Gallant - Has struggled of late. A good racetrack and less altitude in Joliet this weekend should be the recipe for a resurgance to his early season form.

7. Ken Perry - Has looked very strong this year. When this team is on, they can run well into the 5.30's.

8. Jeff Wilson - Hasn't stunned with performance of late, but always in the thick of things. Our TAD 'Dark Horse' pick of the week.

TAFC

1. Frank Manzo - No changes in our long-standing policy of not betting against Frank Manzo this weekend. Still 'Da Man' as they say in Chicago.

2. Bob Newberry - This car has been deadly consistent all year. Look for the Valvoline team in the late rounds as usual.

3. Jay Payne - Looked very impressive in Topeka win. Needs another in Chicago to keep his Championship hopes alive.

4. Cy Chesterman - Defending World Champ should be right in the thick of things in the Windy City.

5. Steve Gasparrelli - Has looked very strong out west this year. Can he make a rumble with the East Coast boys? We think so.

6. Mick Snyder - Won the fall national here last year running bracket-like 5.60's. Would surprise nobody to see the Torco backed team in the late rounds.

7. Danny Townsend - A solid 5.70 player. Just a click away from the leaders. May not stay that way for long with consulting from Randy Anderson.

8. Chuck Cheeseman - Hard to put 'Chucky' this far down the list, but it's a tough field in Chi-town. Very capable of running with anyone in the field. Our TAFC 'Dark Horse' of the week.

Performances:
TAD: 5.28/273
TAFC: 5.59/259