ECR Looks to Dominate This Week
Kevin Harvick
One word. Childress. Richard Childress Racing, and it’s affiliates through the Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engine (ECR) program cover the Quick Picks this week at Martinsville.
Starting from the pole in both the Truck Series and Cup Series races (thanks to a rain out in qualifying), Kevin Harvick is in a prime position to pick up his first Cup win of the year and extend his points lead. Martinsville is a short track, Nascar’s shortest in fact, and track position is key. Furthermore, starting from the pole also affords Harvick the first pick in pit stall selection. I don’t know of any pole sitter not choosing to pit in stall number one, which is where Harvick will pit on Sunday. Track position, season momentum, and strong power plants from ECR make Kevin Harvick my pick of the week for Martinsville.
Jeff Burton
Expect the other RCR drivers to run very strong this week as well. Clint Bowyer is off to a great start this season, running strong in every race. Jeff Burton his building his own momentum. Strong runs early in the season, including posting some of the fastest times in Charlotte durning the spoiler tests earlier this week add up to a great opportunity for Burton to capitalize on his Childress horsepower and pick up a victory at the Virginia short track.
Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray has already proved that the ECR power can win in 2010. Although he hasn’t been as strong since the 500, McMurray has far exceeded his performance from last year with Roush. Fast times in happy hour on Saturday, and a strong start to the year, show that Jamie McMurray and company are a force to be reckoned with this weekend. Look for teammate Juan Montoya to impress as well as he seeks his first oval track win in Nascar. He shares the same power that McMurray, Burton, Bowyer and Harvick carry. His consistency should garner a solid finish as long as he can keep all four fenders on his Target Chevy.
Regan Smith
My underdog pick of the week is Regan Smith. The Furniture Row driver and team is improving every week. With Hendrick chassis and ECR engines, it is only a matter of weeks before we start to see this team in the top 15 on a regular basis.
To recap, for the win on Sunday I am picking Kevin Harvick. For solid runs and impressive performances, I look at the entire ECR stable of Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray, Juan Montoya and Regan Smith (Underdog Pick of the Week).
UPDATE: via Twitter: TheSpeedzine @kevinharvick wins the Truck Series race at Martinsville. Teammate Ron Hornaday finishes 2nd. The Tide Ride Wins! #nascar (Both are using ECR Engines)
