Throughout the summer we're running our second NASCAR World Cup. Will Carl Edwards repeat? Or will someone else take the title? Click here for a NASCAR World Cup explanation and a list of all the groups.
Group F: Denny Hamlin (8th in points, 1 win), Greg Biffle (14th, 0), Marcos Ambrose (23rd, 0), Cole Whitt (31st, 0)
Michigan Matchups: Hamlin vs. Whitt, Biffle vs. Ambrose
Sonoma Matchups: Hamlin vs. Biffle, Ambrose vs. Whitt
Kentucky Matchups: Hamlin vs. Ambrose, Biffle vs. Whitt
With a road course in the group stage, Marcos Ambrose is a good sleeper, right? Well, we're not so sure, simply based on the schedule. If you look at the two ovals, the one driver you'd put Ambrose ahead of unequivocally would be Whitt. However, Ambrose draws him at Sonoma. If Ambrose drew Hamlin, or, even better, Biffle at Sonoma, he'd be looking at a very realistic chance of 2-1 and moving out of the group. Instead, he's favored at Sonoma, just by a lot, and not favored in the other two matchups.
That's why this group looks really chalky. Biffle has been consistent enough to stay near the front and minimize bad finishes. However, given the speed Ambrose has shown at Michigan at the repave, he could keep it close at Michigan. Biffle's favored, but it's not by much. We'll say that the winner of Ambrose and Biffle at Michigan gets the second spot.
Projected standings: Hamlin 3-0, Biffle 2-1, Ambrose 1-2, Whitt 0-3
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
