Atlanta average finish predictions

Atlanta Motor Speedway

I'm quickly learning that you can't predict finishes for a Nextel Cup race by looking at past finish averages. Still, it is a fun exercise to see what would happen if it were possible to predict -- though it wouldn't be very fun if you knew for sure that is how the race would end up.

Here is the chart for Atlanta. Gordon and Earnhardt fans could take heart. Both of them add some friction to the Busch Express. Both drivers cut the required number of points into Busch's lead in order to unseat him from the top spot.

Rank	Driver	Pts. Now	Pts. Avg.	Pts. Out	Pts. Behind
1	Kurt Busch	6015	127	6142	Leader
2	Jeff Gordon	5919	153	6072	70
3	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	5890	169	6059	83
4	Jimmie Johnson	5808	133	5941	201
5	Tony Stewart	5769	169	5938	204
6	Matt Kenseth	5755	149	5904	238
7	Mark Martin	5791	98	5889	253
8	Ryan Newman	5749	132	5881	261
9	Elliott Sadler	5760	113	5873	269
10	Jeremy Mayfield	5651	119	5770	372

Qualifying is next...