There's two kinds of momentum when it comes to NASCAR.  There's  momentum when a team is on the upswing, as was seen the last two weeks  with Tony Stewart.

Then there is the momentum of drivers that have fallen by the waste side, such as that of Denny Hamlin.  The drivers in the Chase have been battling hard and often trying to either maintain or regain what they have.

When it comes to the track that is next in the Chase, momentum is the key component.

It's simply known as the "Monster Mile" as NASCAR makes stop three in the Chase at the Dover International Speedway.  This concrete monster has brought the best of drivers to squealing halts thanks to it's tight corners and narrow straightaways.  It is a handful for any driver to get a handle on as each lap is different than the last.

It's a track that one must respect before they can conquer.  In the Chase, it could mean the biggest difference between those that are in the hunt for the title, and the ones that have fallen back.

But, who exactly will the writers go with?  Last week five writers were lucky enough to achieve victory, but with that came a price as they cannot pick the same driver again.  It means interesting choices, and strategy becomes key.

Here's who our 11 competitors chose for Sunday's AAA 400:

 

Misan Ayuka:  Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards has always been strong at Dover.  And he has been strong this season.  Therefore he will be very strong on Sunday.  Edwards already has a win at the monster mile and another one would geko his bid for his first championship.

There is a reason he is called "Concrete Carl."

 

James Broomhead:  Jimmie Johnson

To set off every child-safe internet filter in the land, I’m whipping out my Johnson this week.

 

Kelly Crandall:  Kyle Busch

JGR team has had some struggles lately but he's run well at Dover. I'm still saving Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson still isn't showing me that it's his year or that he can be a closer.

 

Billy Fellin:  Jimmie Johnson

No reason given.

 

Michael Hirshbein:  Kyle Busch

No reason given.

 

Christopher Leone:  Jimmie Johnson

He's won this race the past two years.

 

Kara Martin:  Jimmie Johnson

No reason given.

 

Ryan O'Hara:  Jimmie Johnson

It's about time the 48 got back on track. Why not at the track where he has led the most laps 4 out of the past 5 races?

 

Dustin Parks:  Carl Edwards

This race was so hard to pick for.  Originally, I had Johnson as my pick.  Then again, I was tossing around Rowdy because of his record at this track.  Both are great choices, and there is a chance that I could lose this week.

But I felt I needed to switch it up, so I'm saving Johnson for later in the year, and same with Rowdy.  Instead, I'm going with the guy that seems to really enjoy the concrete as much as the camera.  "Cousin Carl" averages a finish of 7.6, has one win, six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes at the Monster Mile.

I'm hoping come Sunday, both a backflip and a fan celebration are in order.

 

Sal Sigala Jr:  Jimmie Johnson

I'm pulling Johnson from another track I was saving him for, since his back is against the wall and these are the types of circumstances where true champions shine.

Johnson didn't win the last five championships because he let a couple bad races pull him down, and this should be the race where five-time turns his season around. Johnson and company need this win or at least a top-three finish, if they expect to make a run at Stewart who looks to be firing on all eight cylinders.

 

Rob Tiongson:  Jimmie Johnson

Yes he might be 10th in points, but Dover seems to be a track where the 48 team can really excel.  I look for the 48 car back on the winning path at The Monster Mile with a win on Sunday.

 

Standings following New Hampshire:

Christopher Leone (2096) Tony Stewart WON (4)

Ryan O'Hara (2089) Jeff Gordon finished fourth (2)

Sal Sigala Jr. (2083) Tony Stewart WON (5)

Michael Hirshbein (2081) Clint Bowyer finished 26th (6)

Misan Ayuka (2076) Ryan Newman finished 25th (4)

Billy Fellin (2073) Tony Stewart WON (3)

Rob Tiongson (2073) Tony Stewart WON (3)

Dustin Parks (2071) Tony Stewart WON (1)

James Broomhead (2061) Denny Hamlin finished 29th (2)

Kara Martin (2059) Denny Hamlin finished 29th (1)

Kelly Crandall (2052) Kurt Busch finished 22nd (3)

 

Final Thoughts:  In years past, Dover has been the track where the true title contenders have come to the front and have begun their battle for the championship.  Even though this track is now the third race in the Chase instead of the second, that still holds true.

There still is not one clear favorite in the Chase this season.  The new points system has kept everyone close, and one bad race can easily send a driver down to the bottom.  At Dover, it could happen in a matter of one corner, and one lap.

See how it all shakes out Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN.

 

Summary of Picks:

Jimmie Johnson-7

Kyle Busch-2

Carl Edwards-2