Raceday: Ryan Newman could be worth watching

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1 . Richard Childress Racing and Roush Fenway Racing have both made great strides so far this season as compared with last. And each organization has a driver starting on the front row. Will either Kevin Harvick or Matt Kenseth make the first trip to Victory Lane this season for their respective team?

2. Enjoy the view of spoilers on the Cup cars – that’s about the only difference fans and even drivers are likely to notice with the change this week. Phoenix, more likely Texas, should produce the most visible difference on the track.

3. Ryan Newman has been fast all weekend in practice, but never had a shot at the pole because Friday’s qualifying was rained out. Keep an eye on him as he comes through the field.

OBSERVATIONS

Let us know when that doesn't happen

Don’t understand the media’s fascination with the profanity-laced tirade by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in last Sunday’s race at Bristol, Tenn.

Yes, it was fairly long, but seriously, Earnhardt has cussed out every crew chief he’s ever worked for in his career. Was Sunday really something new or different?

Actually, I’d find it more of note if Earnhardt went a Sunday without getting mad and tossing around profanity. Now, that would be something out of character.

Gordon, too, is good at tight track

Considering the difficulty of Martinsville and its tight-quarters racing, Jeff Gordon’s streak of top-five finishes is particularly impressive.

Gordon has not finished out of the top five at the short track since April 2005 and has seven total victories at the track (tied for third all-time with Rusty Wallace).

A realistic assessment

Good to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a solid grasp on his situation. Yes, it’s great he’s in the top 12, but he also understands he still has not been running up to his potential and a lot of work remains.

JUST THE FACTS

Goody’s 500

Where: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway

Track type: .526-mile flat, concrete oval.

Race distance: 500 laps or 263 miles

When: Green flag is 1:13 p.m. Eastern.

Weather: Mostly cloudy with a 70 percent chance of rain.

TV: Coverage begins at 1 p.m. on Fox.

Radio: Motor Racing Network

PICKS

JIM UTTER

Sometimes you just have to go with the obvious. He’s won six times at Martinsville and five of the last seven. What’s one more?

Winner: Jimmie Johnson.

BOB HENRY

Forbes' annual rankings, released last week, put Hendrick Motorsports laps ahead in the NASCAR money race, with a value approximated at $350 million. And three of the dominant organization's drivers – led by Dale Earnhardt Jr., at $30 million – topped the Forbes earnings list.

But the Martinsville win will go to the "other" Hendrick driver. He finished second in the standings last season, even though his earnings didn't put him in Forbes' top five.

Winner: Mark Martin.