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After an insane tire blowing Kansas race , we are heading to Charlotte. What I love about Charlotte is the schedule. Qualifying is on Thursday , instead of Friday. Only one practice session on the day of qualifying. Typically all the practice sessions on the same day when race held Saturday night. Charlotte is very similar to Kansas , so overlooking last week data wouldn't be wise. Will championship hopeful dig themselves out of a hole? Will underdogs steal the spotlight at Charlotte? Let get rolling!
1-Jamie Mac: JMac was very strong at Kansas and then history had to repeat itself with 6 laps to go. Charlotte been a very good track for JMac. Over the past 5 races here , JMac have compiled 16.2 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 1 Top 10 , 4 Top 10s , 36 laps led and 81.0 driver rating. He finished 5th back in May. Also he won the All star race in May. Over the previous 5 races in 2014 , JMac have a 12.8 average finish (8th-best).
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselowski blew a tire at Kansas and now he will have to fight out of a corner. Well that shouldn't be a problem. Penske cars have won 4 of the past 5 races dating back to Richmond. BK won this race a year ago. Over the past 5 races here , BK have compiled 12.6 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 4 Top 10s , 197 laps led , 1 DNF and 98.6 driver rating. Over the past 5 races in 2014 , BK have compiled 9.4 average finish (4th-best) and 2 wins.
3-Austin Dillon: Seems like Austin Dillon keeps getting better and better. He will never be Kyle Larson , but this young man knows how to get good finishes. He scored his 4th top 10 of the season at Kansas. Expect least a top 20 from Dillon.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick was really good last time at Charlotte , but came home 2nd. Last week at Kansas , KH had a flat tire last in the race which cost him a top 5. Over the past 5 races here , KH have compiled 6.6 average finish , 1 win , 2 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 129 laps led , and 105.1 driver rating. Harvick have third best average finish over the past 5 races in 2014 with 7.6.
5-Kasey Kahne: Kahne best racetrack is Charlotte ,so if you cannot win your league championship. Then try to gain many spots as possible. Kahne definitely help that could happen. Over the past 5 races here , KK have compiled 5.4 average finish , 1 win , 3 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s, 395 laps led, and 120.9 driver rating. Over the past 5 races in 2014 , Kahne have scored 0 Top 20s (last top 20s was his win at Atlanta.)
10-Danica Patrick: Patrick qualified inside the top 5 in May , but went south during the race. Faded to about 25th before her engine went up in smoke. Danica always brings top 20 upside. This weekend should be no different.
11-Denny Hamlin: The Gibbs cars are on a roll lately. Who would thought since they all stumbled down towards end of the regular season. Hamlin finished 7th at Kansas. Now heads to Charlotte. Hamlin last time finished 22nd after getting spun late in the race. Over the past 5 races here , DH have compiled 7.8 average finish ,3 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 55 laps led and 105.6 driver rating.
16-Greg Biffle: Well I been a bit tough on RFR. None of the Roush cars been very competitive, but they find ways to stay relevant in fantasy nascar. The Biff finished 15th at Kansas. Despite being involved in two separate wrecks. Over the past 5 races here , Biff have compiled 15.2 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 2 Top 10s, 3 Top 20s , 225 laps led and 91.7 driver rating.
18-Kyle Busch: Choking? What choking? Kyle Busch have 4 Top 10s in 4 chase races. KB is having his best chase ever and is coming off a third at Kansas. If he can finish 3rd at Kansas , then he can win at Charlotte in his sleep. Over the past 5 races here , KB have compiled 12.0 average finish , 3 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 124 laps led and 105.2 driver rating. In Over the past 5 races in 2014 , KB have the 6th best average finish with 8.4. During the chase , Kyle have an 7.0 average finish (2nd best among chase drivers.)
20-Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth haven't won a race all season , but consistency been his call card for years now. Charlotte was a great track for MK earlier this season. As Kenseth was very competitive and finished inside the top 5. Over the past 5 races here , MK have compiled 9.0 average finish , 2 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 146 laps led and 102.6 driver rating. MK ranked 7th in chase with 12.2 average finish among chasers.
22-Joey Logano: JoLo have won two of the three races. The Penske cars are just on it on the Intermediate racetracks. Over the past 5 races here ,JoLo have compiled 13.4 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 2 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 0 laps led and 81.5 driver rating. Charlotte is one of Joey's best tracks. So far in the chase , Joey leads all drivers with an 2.5 average finish.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon and team 24 team struggled at Kansas. Don't expect that to continue though. Charlotte a very good track for Gordon. Believe it or not , Gordon struggled at Charlotte for a few years. Before regaining his stride at CMS last season. He had the car to beat early on in May. But finished 7th. Over the past 5 races here , JG have compiled 14.8 average finish , 3 Top 10s , 4 Top 10s , 41 laps led and 97.8 driver rating.
27-Paul Menard: Menard scored a top 10 at Kansas. Boy does this guy know how to play dead in practice doesn't he? But he have done that all season long. Menard have put together a nice run during the chase. Including a 15.2 average finish. Only one finish outside of 16th. The real positive is here improved his finishing position in every race during the chase (excluding Dover 16th.)
31-Ryan Newman: Newman have back to back top 10s after an 6th place run at Kansas. Charlotte have been a good track for Newman. Over the past 5 races here , RN have compiled 12.6 average finish , 2 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 3 laps led and 83.2 laps led. So far in the chase , Newman have a 11.8 average finish (6th-best among chasers.)
42-Kyle Larson: This kid is something special. He is gonna win and he is gonna win very soon. Last guy this good as a rookie was Denny Hamlin or Kyle Busch. Larson is almost a lock to finish inside the top 10 this week.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson the 6 time champ needs a win in the worst way or his outlook for a championship could be iffy. Johnson dominated earlier this season. Over the past 5 races here , JJ have compiled 8.2 average finish , 1 win , 3 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 347 laps led and 117.5 driver rating.
88-Dale Jr: Dale Jr was very strong at Kansas. Well until he slam the wall while leading. Dale need a win or two strong races to advance to Round 3. Charlotte been a trouble spot for Dale lately. Over the past 4 races here , Dale Jr have compiled 19.75 average finish, 0 Top 5s , 1 Top 10s , 3Top 20 , 32 laps led and 92.3 driver rating.
99-Carl Edwards: Just when I write them off ,they come to live. RFR sure know how to play mind games. With that being said , I do believe there are choices this week. Will Edwards be a good choice? Yeah probably. Least a top 15. Over the past 5 races here , Edwards have compiled 8.2 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 4 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 12 laps led and 93.8 driver rating.
**All stats from: Drivers averages and Racing Reference
Also check out: Nascar Behind The Wall. Great Blog. Great stuff.
Twitter - @JeffNathans
