Welcome to Timerssports
After back-to-back down races (Daytona and New Hampshire) , I was able to rebound at my hometown track of Indy. Now our attention turns to Pocono. The track known as the tricky triangle is another flat surface layout. Its rewards drivers who respect every aspect of the track. This week again will be about horsepower and strategies. Let get started!
1-JMac: Jamie does not really standout. He finished 19th at Indy. Finished 10th earlier this season at Pocono. His stats over the recents races at Pocono aren't horrible though. In the past 5 races here , JMac have compiled an 13.2 average finish , 2 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , and 80.1 driver rating. I found it very interesting among active drivers with 5 starts. Jamie ranks 9th in terms of average finish (4th best among Yahoo B-listers). Hint hint dark horse potential.
2-Brad Keselowski: Back in June , BK led 95 laps. But gave up the lead to Dale Jr in the last 10 laps. Last week , Brad finished 12th at Indy. Anyone who started him got to be frustrated. Anyhow he should be a top 5 option going in the weekend. I am waiting to unload my remaining Penske starts until the chase. Trust me its will pay off huge. BK been solid recently at Pocono though. In the 5 previous races here , he have complied an 9.2 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 121 laps led , and 104.1 driver rating.
3-Austin Dillon: There is no expected legitimate start saver in the field this weekend. So we are pretty much forced to use one of our golden eggs. Dillon finish 17th back in June. I expect him to improve on that mark. Top 15 sounds reasonable.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick finish 14th earlier this season at Pocono. He had a top 5 car. Little past half way , he had a flat tire and had to pit. Cost him a shot at the win. If he looks dominate in practice , look for me to use him. Over past 5 races here , Harvick have compiled an 14.0 average finish , 1 Top 10, 5 Top 20s , 0 laps and 88.6 driver rating.
5-Kasey Kahne: Pocono , August and Kahne mix well together. There probably a player in every league who doesn't know the meaning "too risky". That probably the same player who start Kahne on Sunday. Kahne will either finish top 5 or 40th-ish. In fact I would even put a wager on that. Pocono August average (Since June 2012) is 1.5 (2 Top 2 finish ; Including a win in last year event. June Average is 39.0. Over past 5 races at Pocono , KK have compiled an 22.0 average finish , 1 win , 2 Top 5s , 2 Top 10s , 2 Top 20s , 67 laps led and 97.2 driver rating.
10-Danica Patrick: Danica is like a unhealthy cheeseburger. Its looks delicious from the outside , but we know it bad for us. Danica was running top 20 at Pocono earlier this season and got a flat tire. Eventually finish near the back. Last weekend at Indy , she finished 42nd after a broken axel. While running top 10 by the way. I would put my money on a repeat Indianapolis performance.
11-Denny Hamlin: Okay I screwed up last weekend. I said to avoid Denny on Friday night. He goes out and finishes 3rd. Nevertheless Pocono is a good place to use him. He started 1st and finish 4th earlier this season. I don't expect a repeat performance of those outcomes. But he will be a top 10 guy heading in. Over the past 5 here , DH have compiled an 17.8 average finish , 2 Top 5, 3 Top 10s , 28 laps led and 85.9 driver rating.
14-Tony Stewart: Smoke got me puzzled honestly. He seems off lately. Struggled at Somona , Kentucky , Daytona and last weekend at Indy. Heck he got track position late at New Hampshire , otherwise he would have finish in middle teens. On the plus side , he was really strong at Pocono earlier this season. Over past 5 races here , Smoke have compiled an 6.8 average finish , 3 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 27 laps led and 97.9 driver rating.
16-Greg Biffle: If you follow me on Twitter (@JeffNathans) , I hinted around that The Biff would be a good option at Indy. He finish 13th. Ahead of a few noticeable names. The Biff on my radar again. I think there potential with him as a legit start save. Remember Pocono is a strategy type track. The Biff have been very consistent on flats this year (Finishes of 13th - 18th). I will take a flier on a consistent driver all day long. Doesn't hurt he holds an 13.4 average finish here since 2012. Ranks 5th best among all Yahoo Group B drivers.
18-Kyle Busch: Rowdy is a second place machine right now. Outside of Daytona , Rowdy have wheeled off 3 straight 2nd place finishes. He gonna break through again. I expect another top 5. The Glenn or Bristol may be the places he goes to VL again. Rowdy been good here , but not great. He qualified 6th qualified earlier this season. Sent Kahne for a ride late in the event. Then eventually rallied for a 12th place finish.
20-Matt Kenseth: To be honest , Kenseth doesn't jump off the page. He been average here most of his career. Been better with JGR. Still doesn't have the abilities to challenge for the win. He will qualify in the teens. Finish latter top 10. Over past 5 races here , MK have compiled an 20.4 average finish , 1 Top 10 , 1 Top 20, 16 laps led and 88.5 driver rating.
22-Joey Logano: Logano finish 5th last weekend at Indy. Joey was also strong earlier this season at Pocono. Of course he blew up before the race was over. Joey probably will be a top 10 guy heading in with top 5 potential. Pocono is a good track for him overall. Over the past 5 races here , JoLo have compiled an 14.2 average finish , 1 win , 1 Top 5 , 3 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 49 laps led and 94.8 driver rating.
24-Jeff Gordon: I have a Fantasy Nascar man crush on Jeff Gordon. Only twice since Texas , I have taken him off my roster (Talladega and Daytona). Gordon must have found the fountain of youth. Because he driving like a 21 years old. He is the man at HMS right now. Don't look for that to change either. Pocono is another great track for him. Over the past 5 races here , Gordon have compiled an 8.4 average finish , 1 win , 2 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 17 laps led and 104.5 driver rating. If I am a betting man, I would put my money on Gordon.
27-Paul Menard: Menard was a terrific value deal earlier in the season. Unfortunately he now falling off to much to be legit option. Also he been horrible at the flats in 2014. Only 1 top 15 , which was his 10th at Martinsville. Heck his 19th at New Hampshire was only his second top 20 on a flat track. He was sent into the wall at Indy and finished 34th. Over past 5 races here , Menard have compiled an 21.6 average finish , 1 Top 10, 2 Top 20, and 75.9 driver rating. There are better options to consider
31-Ryan Newman: Newman is quietly having himself a great season. Outside of Daytona , his past three finishes: 3rd , 5th, 11th. That is awesome. Pocono may be his best track left on the schedule. He may not lead a lot of laps. But he's a good bet for a top 10. Over the past 5 races here ,Ryan have compiled an 6.8 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s, 21 laps led and 98.5 driver rating.
41-Kurt Busch: To be honest , I don't hate Busch this week. But I don't like him either. Facts remains , Kurt cannot be trusted. Inconsistency is the name of the game and Kurt 2014 season have been quite the opposite. There are better options.
42-Kyle Larson: The big question is for me every week , is this the week to pull trigger? Pocono could be a great place to do it. Earlier this season , Larson had a impressive top 5 run. Will be interesting to see how he runs the second time around.
48-Jimmie Johnson: The 48 team seems off at the moment. His last top 5 was at site of his last win (Michigan). Since he have had 3 finishes outside the top 10. I don't care how good your record is , you cannot roster a guy who is considered the most valuable driver. Especially when a driver in a slump. Over past 5 races here , Johnson have compiled an 7.6 average finish , 1 win , 2 Top 5s, 3 Top 10s , 220 laps led and 113.4 driver rating.
55-Brain Vickers: Vickers actually was pretty good earlier this season. He finished 19th, but ran in the lower teens much of the event. Vickers won't dazzle you with his impressive driving skills and techniques. He does not need to. He a nice option this week.
88-Dale Jr: Dale Jr won last time we visited Pocono. He probably shouldn't have won , if Brad didn't pull over to let Dale pass. Anyhow a win is a win. I doubt he can back that up. Look for Dale to finish inside the top 10 on Sunday. Over the past 5 races here , Dale have compiled an 9.8 average finish , 1 win , 3 Top 5s, 4 Top 10s, 66 laps led and 115.5 driving. Found it interesting that Dale holds the best driver rating.
99-Carl Edwards: Edwards and RFR made it officially on Sunday. They will be parting way. Since he technically under contract with Ford for 5 more years. I expect him to stay with Ford. Last weekend at Indy , Edwards ran in the late teens to just outside the top 20. Got a little track position and finished 15th. Pocono earlier this season , Edwards finish outside the top 40. Of course , he was running 8th before getting heavy damage.
*All stats from DriverAverages. com
Twitter - @JeffNathans
