By Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
 
(July 24, 2010)
 
For a third straight season, Sporting News’ Reid Spencer, Roger Kuznia and Bill Marx are matching wits in the Pit Box. The format is simple: They can pick a driver only once during the season. But for good measure, each also will pick his favorite to win the race.

Reid’s pick: Mark Martin. Track position is paramount at Indianapolis, and Martin put his No. 5 Chevrolet on the second row despite a late qualifying draw. Martin chased Jimmie Johnson to the checkered flag last year. This year, his Chase hopes depend on strong performances in the next seven races.

Who Reid really thinks will win: Juan Pablo Montoya. Yes, I’m departing from my double-up strategy, but Montoya’s story is just too good. On Sunday he becomes the first driver to win both the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400.
 
Roger’s pick: Juan Pablo Montoya. Surely he’ll make up for last year’s pit-road speeding penalty and win his first NASCAR race on an oval. He already knows how to win here, albeit in an IndyCar.

Who Roger really thinks will win: Juan Pablo Montoya. I’m pulling a Reid, and it better work!
 
Bill’s pick: Robby Gordon. I contemplated saving Gordon for Watkins Glen, but he qualified 21st, and that’s good enough for me. In fact, if Gordon finishes in the top 21, I’ll be plenty happy. I’m still saving my big guns for the Chase.

Who Bill really thinks will win: Jeff Gordon. While waiting for Jeff to finally get a win, he has been racking up top fives left and right. Granted, I don’t get the wins the way Reid does, but no fantasy hombre worth his salt would complain about top fives. I do think Gordon finally breaks through this week.

Last race: Reid has the lead in both competitions, but his advantage in the one-and-done competition may not be long-lasting. Reid’s selection of Clint Bowyer finished fourth at Chicagoland, adding to his lead over Bill, who was happy with AJ Allmendinger’s 14th-place run. However, Reid knows he is running out of bullets. Among drivers currently Chase-eligible, Reid has two left to choose from, while Bill has seven. Roger had a decent week from Paul Menard, who finished 10th, but Roger is still way back in third. In the real picks, Reid took over first place from Roger when Roger’s pick of Jimmie Johnson finished 25th. Reid’s patented double-up with Bowyer gives him an 11-point advantage over Roger. Bill also scored well with Jeff Gordon, who finished third.
 
Points standings
One-and-done: Reid, 2,521; Bill, 2,423; Roger, 2,111.
Real picks: Reid, 2,757; Roger, 2,746; Bill, 2,598.