Even with the technological aid of GPS tracking and official posted times at checkpoints, which can be found at Iditarod.com, the fan can appreciate the complexity of the race. Some of the mushers are not matching up in the data -- but I think we can figure it out. I just muscled through the online data for some mental exercise, called a few fans, and came to the following conclusions:

Jeff King, a four-time champ, is resting comfortably in Takotna, claiming a spot as the titular leader of the race after arriving there first and posting what appear to be the fastest running times. He most probably is taking his 24 hour mandatory in Takotna. This is his habit, and it makes sense given his command of the race and that he's still driving sixteen dogs.

Lance Mackey, the Incredible Lance Mackey and winner of the last three Iditarods, is not having a smooth run. His travel times are close to King's, but his team has been reduced to thirteen dogs. Contacts close to Lance -- namely his wife -- tell me he will stay with King in Takotna for 24 hours and rejuvenate the team with a good rest. Never count this champ out. Lance has a wiry build, and 13 super dogs is plenty of power to race to Nome. As the two have done in the past, I suspect King and Mackey will be testing each other in the second half of the race. Remember, Mackey's mushing skill has always been his ability to maintain team strength in the final half of the race.

Now for the very interesting wrinkles of the race. Hans Gatt, the very accomplished winner of the 2010 Yukon Quest, is resting in Ophir, twenty miles beyond King. He has not announced his intentions. Will Gatt stay in Ophir for a 24-hour mandatory, or rest for several more hours and continue another fifty tough miles to Cripple? He has one of the fastest teams on the trail and is a top contender.

Gatt is not alone in Ophir. Cim Smyth, who is definitely a top-ten contender, is also resting in Ophir. We can ask the same question -- will he stay or move to Cripple?

With certainty, however, we can say that Kotzebue musher John Baker has left the pack in Takotna and will move forward to Cripple. This is a deliberate strategy to leave King and Mackey in Takotna resting and to push the race to Cripple. What are the risks? For one, John Baker has decided that the Iditarod trail breakers on snowmachines must have put down a smooth, fast trail to Cripple. Its a gamble. If the trail is soft, John and team will squander energy laying down a better trail for King and the following pack. I know Baker's fans are hoping he has a good trail. If it works, he will be sitting at the front of the race and in a very good strategic position.

Martin Buser fans are sure to point out that the speed record holder and four-time champ is not idling his dog team. His strategy has been contrarian. He rested at Salmon River when the rest of the lead pack was heading for Nikolai. He rested in McGrath when the lead pack battled for position to Takotna. He hit the trail out of McGrath at 6 a.m. Wednesday and I think he has locked his sights on Cripple. This could be a game-changer and should be fun to watch.

On an emotional level, I admit admiration for Pat Moon, the rookie musher who collided with a tree and was knocked unconscious in the Dalzell Gorge en route to Rohn, forcing him to withdraw. Man, that's some luck, but I am impressed with his resolve. He's a tough guy.

Joe Runyan won the 1985 Yukon Quest and the 1989 Iditarod.