RIDGEWAY, VA :: Tomorrow is race day in the MDCU 300 and the RACE22.com staff once again offers up their predictions on what we will see on Sunday and what drivers everyone watching the race should keep an eye on.

Andy Marquis (Editor at RACE22.com)

Five to Watch: Jamey Caudill, Matt Bowling, RD Smith, Myatt Snider and Annabeth Barnes.

Underdog: Mike Looney is one of the most underrated drivers but those of us who follow racing know Looney can get the job done.  His problem is often luck.  I think he’d paid his dues in terms of bad luck this year.  Watch for Looney to be in the mix on Sunday.

Bold Prediction: Kyle Dudley makes the field, scores top-10 finish.  Before testing, Kyle Dudley said he was going to surprise everyone.  After watching him in testing, I’d say he might be right.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): I’m sure a lot of other people with Anthony Anders to not make the field and, while that’s a possibility, I’m going with someone else.  Last year, Deac McCaskill was in the thick of things in the closing laps of the MDCU 300.  This year, I say he doesn’t even make the field.  McCaskill hasn’t lit the world on fire this year.  Outside of East Carolina and one South Boston win, he just hasn’t been that good.

Corey Latham (Carolina Correspondent)

Five to Watch: Dustin Rumley, David Garbo Jr., Stacy Puryear, Coleman Pressley and Nick Smith.

Underdog: Josh Oakley, slow in testing and doesn’t get talked about ever, but he beats and runs with Lee Pulliam and Peyton Sellers on a regular basis, not many can do that so he could come out the box strong.

Bold Prediction: This year’s events will be tame in the aspects of crashes. It just has that feel which is fine with me as I love to see the great racing and not torn up cars

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): CE Falk III; It could be ANY driver the way it’s set up now, just one miscalculation by another driver in the heat race and your day is done and you’ll be watching from the stands.  Martinsville has been nothing but bad luck for CE Falk and this could be his worst.

Justin Kern (RACEDAY LIVE Broadcaster)

Five to Watch: Matt Waltz, Lee Pulliam, Dillon Bassett, Philip Morris and Tommy Lemons, Jr.

Underdog: Brenden Queen; from his performance last year not just at Martinsville but at Langley Spedway, not to mention this year he was up competing for poles and top threes.

Bold Prediction: This race reminds me so much of March Madeness it’s crazy. That one #16 seed team that gets in on the play in game, in our case the last chance race and upset the #1 seed. My bold pick is going to have to be #58 Tyler Ankrum.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): Lastly I think there is a chance NWAAS National Points Champion Anthony Anders could miss this race. I know he has solid equipment with Hawk McCall but at the same time we cannot ignore some of the tension surrounding Anders and some of these drivers/car owners.

Kimberly Smith (Promotions Director for RACE22.com)

Five to Watch: Mike Looney, Mike Darne, Jake Crum, Kres VanDyke and Alex Yontz.

Underdog: Tyler English; You might not know the name but this weekend could prove to be his breakout moment.

Bold Prediction: Annabeth Barnes becomes the first female to qualify for the MDCU 300.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): Philip Morris hasn’t run many races all year and though that didn’t keep him from not only making it but winning the MDCU 300 two seasons ago, it’s something that could catch up to him eventually.

Langley Austin (Founder of RACE22.com)

Five to Watch: Justin Snow, Hayden Woods, Kaz Grala, Thomas Scott and Bruce Anderson.

Underdog: Kevin Parker; I know he’s never made the field and the odds are stacked against his small team but as the lone Henry County local driver, I think it’s his time to shine.

Bold Prediction: Derrick Lancaster finally makes the field.  Veteran driver who’s luck at Martinsville Speedway has sucked over the years but this year is his year to turn it around.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): BJ Mackey might be the big guy going home this year.  He’s showed speed but things could get a little dicey in those heat races and that’s no place to be.

Mark Rogers, Jr. (Tidewater Correspondent)

Five to Watch: Lee Pulliam, Philip Morris, Matt Waltz, Josh Berry and Dillon Bassett.

Underdog: In his first attempt at this race, Brenden Queen made the field and finished seventh in a car with some major war wounds. With crew chief help from Phil Warren who knows how to win at Martinsville, this small time race team who is big at heart could surprise us all.

Bold Prediction: Sporting a win at Caraway this season, a fifth place finish in the Hampton Heat at Langley and nearly winning there a few weeks later. Tyler Ankrum is poised to give us much to write about this weekend.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): Anthony Anders will face the most competition in one race then he’s seen in years and he’ll be challenged by Late Model racing’s best. No gimme’s in this race, you take only what you can get and for Anders, I expect this field to disrespect the National Champion.

Matt Weaver (Super Late Model Guru)

Five to Watch: Lee Pulliam, Philip Morris, Matt Waltz, Josh Berry and Dillon Bassett.

Underdog: Dennis Holdren; Sure, he’s cracked the top-10 in the past and is a smart, savvy driver in these types of races but he’s an underdog. He’ll maintain that status too until he proves that his run of success this year can translate to the bigger events and it will this weekend.

Bold Prediction: I think there will be an altercation between Anthony Anders and Lee Pulliam on Sunday. That’s not to say that one will outright dump the other but there’s a legitimate rivalry here and they will give each other less room than many of their peers given their recent history in the NWAAS.

Does Not Qualify (Big Name): As the defending winner of the race, Tommy Lemons Jr. missing the field would be a tremendous circumstance but here’s why he may. He’s not a prolific qualifier and it’s never a guarantee to make the race when relying on heats and the last chance qualifier.