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Anybody's guess

Variable conditions make Coca-Cola 600 tough

	• Lugnuts • On the track • In the pits • Stop 'n' Go • Finish Line

From CNNSI.com

Like a 600-mile race isn't unpredictable enough ...

So, last week, NASCAR issues new rules governing the spring rates of Winston Cup cars, chipping away at a team's ability to keep a car out of the air (think: speed, slackening thereof). Then, the power goes out in and around Lowe's Motor Speedway, eliminating last week's Friday night practice session and depriving teams of what little time they have to come to grips (sorry) with the new rules. On top of all that, throw in the fact that the Coca-Cola 600 begins in daylight and ends in the dark, making race set ups that much more difficult, and what have you got? A crapshoot of major proportions.

Which is, of course, precisely what makes racing, and the Coca-Cola 600, cool.

"The Coca-Cola 600 is a big race," says Jimmy Elledge, Bobby Hamilton's crew chief. "It's an endurance race, obviously because of the length. But it can be a tough race because you start in the daytime and finish in the night. You've got to have your setup in the middle of the road, so that you can be a strong competitor that night. But your setup can't be so bad during the day that you get run over from behind. That's a moody old track."

Moody, perhaps, but this much is certain: five of the last eight winners of the 600 started from the front row, lending a certain amount of credibility to a good qualifying run. Of course, with practice taking place during the day and qualifying happening at night...

"I like Charlotte, but the track changes so much it's hard to hit the right setup," says Sterling Marlin. "The track changes from hour to hour. The guys that guess on the right setup and hit the right combination will be tough. It seems like when you think you're going to be good at Charlotte, you're bad. When you think you're going to be bad, sometimes you're good. If we practice in 85-degree heat, and it's 60 degrees when we start the race, things will be a whole lot different."

A veritable crapshoot, in fact.

Bobby Labonte He's climbed from his early-season funk to reach 13th in the points standings. The climb could continue with a solid run in Charlotte, where he has seven top 10s in 15 career starts. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Little E finished fourth in the Coca-Cola 600 a year ago, and has been running well lately, with three straight top 10s. Dale Jarrett The points leader looked strong last week at the Winston and has finished in the top five at the Coca-Cola 600 four times in the past five years. This could be the week he breaks out of the slump that's seen his points lead shrink to 14. Jeff Gordon Had finishes of 10th and 39th last year in Charlotte, but his four career victories at the track are tops among active drivers. Oh, and he won the Winston in a backup car last week -- his third win in that event.

Flattery Sure it was just the Winston Open, but Johnny Benson did win a race. Now, he will try to repeat that success in a points race. Flag Bill Elliott finished 17th in the Winston, and was really never a factor. In the last three races, he's finished 32nd, 14th, and 37th, even though his qualifying efforts have been solid. Flattery Coming off of two solid performances at Fontana and Richmond, Ricky Rudd had one of the fastest cars last weekend, passing more cars than anyone. Unfortunately, poor pit strategy cost him a chance to get in the Winston. This could be the week he finally breaks through. Flag Kevin Harvick hasn't had a top 10 since Bristol, and he finished dead last at the Winston after a brake problem. The weekly double duty of driving in the Busch series may be catching up to him.

Greg Biffle continued his impressive rookie campaign in the Busch series, outrunning Kevin Harvick at Nazareth for his second win of the season. The 2000 Truck Series champ has had few problems adjusting to his new ride, and could still make a run at the title, as he currently sits in third place. Joe Ruttman may not be a young up-and-coming driver, but the 56-year-old veteran knows what it takes to win, and he proved that again by winning a three-lap shootout to take the checkered flag at the Craftsman Truck race at Pikes Peak last weekend. Tony Stewart's recent good form has him being mentioned as a championship contender once again. He's still just in seventh place though, so he'll need a good run on Sunday to stay in the thick of the battle.

Busch Series Carquest 300 -- 1 p.m. Saturday (FOX): 300 miles, 200 laps. 2000 pole winner: Dave Blaney. 2000 winner: Jeff Burton. Coca-Cola 600 -- 5 p.m. Sunday (FOX): 600 miles, 400 laps. 2000 pole winner: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 2000 winner: Matt Kenseth.

Hey NASCAR, ever notice there is not a single race in the NorthWest! Just a hint, your missing a huge piece of untapped NASCAR Fans who are starved for CUP racing! I got to give a thumbs up to Darrel Waltrip, the John Madden of stockcar racing! - Matt, Richland, Wash. How short-sighted can you people be?? You are complaining about this and that about the way FOX is broadcasting NASCAR. I have been watching NASCAR for 18 years and I'm thrilled that the sport is finally getting the attention it deserves. How about for once, you people be happy for the exposure that the sport is getting and stop being so closed-minded that you stop watching over a "scrolling and annoying ticker". -- Andy, Tempe, Ariz. The Winston belongs on FX where lesser events should be. Over-hyped, ludicrous in its format, and makes the Winston Cup "best" look like amateurs. -- Gail, Greenfield, Wisc. The Winston -- "Get in, Sit down, Shut up, and Hang On" or if you prefer "My other car is? I don't have another car" -- Robert, Nashville, Tenn. Instead of two Sunday day races at Michigan, Pocono, Dover, New Hampshire, Rockingham, Darlington, Martinsville and Talladega. Why doesn't NASCAR make these tracks install lights and have more Sunday day-Saturday night race combos (see Bristol, and Daytona), or have them give up a date for other tracks. Maybe even a night race at Watkins Glen or Sears Point.. -- Buzz, Richland, Wash.