posted March 9, 2007 at 15:46 EST in NASCAR Free Picks

When the Nextel Cup series invades Sin City on Sunday for the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, the big story will be about changes made to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

During reconstruction of the 1 1/2 -mile oval, since the Nextel Cup race last March, the banking was increased from 12 to 20 degrees. The pit lane was also moved closer to the front stretch grandstands, making for a smoother transition from corner to straightaway.

Las Vegas officials contend the reconfiguration will create more side-by-side and competitive racing. There's no question that the Las Vegas track is now faster. Elliott Sadler turned a lap of 188.772 mph during testing five weeks ago, significantly higher than Greg Biffle's pole speed of 172.403 mph last March.

The changes make for a nightmare for bettors. It will be a ''feeling out'' process for all drivers and it wouldn't be wise to handicap this race using past results considering virtually all previous stats become meaningless with the changes.

 

One thing that can be considered is the track's configuration/distance and how drivers fare on this 1 1/2 -mile oval and at the track in Texas, which is similar.

It's certainly going to be a crapshoot once the green flag waves, but never fear, Billy Steve is here with your winning selection.

A driver with experience and courage to take on the new beast without holding back will most likely take the checkers in Vegas. The driver who perfectly fits that profile is Tony Stewart.

The two-time NASCAR champion thinks the changes were unnecessary. ''I thought they screwed up a really nice race track,'' Stewart said Wednesday. ''They had a track that every year was getting better and better, and the racing was getting better and better.''

Stewart went on to say, ''Las Vegas was actually a unique and fun race track. Why would you take a track like Vegas that's almost the same age as Texas and now redo it again, and have to go through the whole aging process all over again. It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.''

Despite being vocal and critical of the changes, the always outspoken Stewart will handle the new look in strong fashion on Sunday.

 

Stewart is off to a rough start and has never taken the checkers in Vegas, but he does have four top-5's and five top-10 finishes, with a respectable average finishing spot of 11.8. He won at Texas last November and has seven top-10 finishes in ten starts there.

With all things considered let's be wise and stay conservative this week as things unfold for the first time at the new Vegas.

Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 Selection:

Tony Stewart +150 Top-3 finish

Year to date record following the Auto Club 500: -$440

A running total of records will be provided throughout the season graded on $100 (units) wagers. So buckle up and enjoy the ride all year long.

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