Fearless Predictions - Texas

The People's Pitstop had a rough weekend at Phoenix, but the march toward .500 for the predictions gained some momentum. The predictions went a very respectable 7-3 on Saturday night, leaving us with an almost respectable season record of 29-31. Here's the Texas Motor Speedway version of the predictions. (And remember that this is a projection of which NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will finish in the top 10. It is NOT a prediction of who will finish first, who will finish second, etc. Even we're not that crazy.)

1. Greg Biffle. Yes, he's one of the three drivers who didn't come through for us in last week's predictions (and the only one who wasn't a long shot), but he's still one of only two drivers with six finishes in the top 10 this season.

2. Matt Kenseth. Surprise, surprise...yes, he's the other one.

3. Tony Stewart. Smoke found his way to the pole this week, and one of his employees found his way to Victory Lane last week, so someone at Stewart-Haas has figured it out.

4. Ryan Newman. The win was Newman's second finish in the top five this season.

5. Kurt Busch. The former Sprint Cup winner has three top 10 finishes under his belt this season, including his victory last month in Atlanta.

6. Jimmie Johnson. Another week, another top five finish. Ho-freakin-hum.

7. Clint Bowyer. Stop the presses: Bowyer has just as many top 10 finishes (five) as the four-time defending Cup champion.

8. Kasey Kahne. How do you quiet speculation about how you're going to spend next year while waiting for someone else's contract to expire? You kick some asphalt on the track, of course.

9. Jeff Burton. He qualified sixth, and he has he's won here twice. What's that about muscle memory?

10. Brian Vickers. You may recall from the People's Facts that a few drivers were selected to test the rear spoiler last winter at Texas Motor Speedway. They were Biffle, Stewart, Kurt Busch and Vickers, our medium-to-long shot for this week.

By the way, fantasy football fans should note this. The poll on your viewing plans for the NFL draft will close Sunday. In its place, we'll have a new poll about the draft. So get your votes in while you can.