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I will honest with you all , practice isn't that big for a night race. Not even final practice is a good indicator for the race. But like any race , keeping up with the track is key. These teams will need keep their driver in contention on pit road. Nevertheless practice is all we have to go on. So grab your a cold one and let get started!
Notes -
1-Jamie Mac: JMac was very strong among the two practices. He posted a fast 10 lap average (5th best) , despite not posting a good single fast lap. JMac overall seems happy about his race car. Watch out for Jamie Mac on Saturday night. Top 10 is very possible.
2-Brad Keselowski: BK qualified 17th , but he won't stay there for long though. Keselowski put down the 7th fastest lap during Friday early practice. He got faster as a run went on. Posted the 4th single fastest lap in Final practice. Not crazy about his 10 lap average speed in Final practice. But I wouldn't be too worried.
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon may had one of his best practices of 2014 at Charlotte. As AD posted some very good laps well inside the top 20 based off practice speeds. I really like Dillon this weekend. Most noticeably he was bad fast on the long run. I think he could a nice top 15 option.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick been bad fast all weekend. He been the guy to beat in both practices. Posted the best 10 lap average in the first session (on Friday.) Followed that up with another awesome 10 lap average in final. His long run speed was very good. Harvick is likely the guy to beat on Saturday night.
5-Kasey Kahne: Kahne usually shows up fast here , but really wasn't impressive like I was expecting. I expect least top 10 potential , but would not say race winning. Then again he have 500 miles to get it right.
10-Danica Patrick: Danica actually looked pretty good on Saturday. I thought her speed was solid on a long run in both sessions. I wouldn't say she a top 10 option, but I say she scores a top 20 on Saturday.
11-Denny Hamlin: JGR cars have been strong all weekend. Two of them qualified inside the top 3. Hamlin was one of them. Hamlin was good in both session. Posted solid lap times throughout a run. The JGR cars keep on gaining speed each week. A solid run Saturday could really help towards advancing after Dega.
14-Tony Stewart: Smoke was the highest qualifying SHR Chevrolet (4th). Smoke been good so far at Charlotte. Top 15 lap times in both sessions. Got better as a run got longer. Sleeper alert could be in order.
16-Greg Biffle: The Biff wasn't bad at all on Friday. The RFR cars actually have looked decent. I was a little surprised to be honest. Nevertheless Biffle didn't posted any long runs which in my opinion hurts his value. Teammate Edwards posted a ugly 10 lap average by the way.
18-Kyle Busch: Rowdy continuing to have his best chase ever with the pole for Saturday race. Kyle only posted 4 laps in the first session on Friday (last 5 minutes) and posted the 6th best Ten lap average in Final practice. Kyle is my sleeper pick to win on Saturday night.
20-Matt Kenseth: MK doing MK things. He looked average in both sessions on Friday and qualified poorly as well. But that so Matt Kenseth. This guy will be mixing it up inside the top 10 on Saturday night. Trust me it kinda his thing.
22-Joey Logano: JoLo was pretty good on Friday. He showed good amount of speed in both sessions. He could be in VL if they get his car just a little better. I like his chances at least a top 10 on Saturday. More likely a top 5 though.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon have a good racecar for Saturday night race. Gordon starts 2nd and will likely be the one of the strongest cars on the long run. He posted solid laps times throughout both practices. I think he have least a top 10 guy heading into Saturday race. Expect a top 5 outcome though.
27-Paul Menard: P-Daddy Menard looked great since unloading. Qualified 5th and looked pretty fast in final practice. Also worth noting , Menard was very strong on the long runs as well.
31-Ryan Newman: Newman like his teammates loaded fast. Newman will start up front in 7th and posted some good laps into a medium to long run. He looked close to a top 10 based off practice. He should be a good option for Saturday night.
42-Kyle Larson: Larson wasn't bad overall. I was expecting more though. He was in the teens on both the speed charts and 10 lap average charts. Should be least an top 15 option in most formats.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson was not very good until final practice. He was very close to top 5 at end of final practice. It should be noted he hit the wall with 4 minutes left. Unlikely to go to a backup though.
88-Dale Jr: Dale jr said he would win on Saturday night. I hope he a man of his word. Dale was good in both sessions on Friday. Qualified 11th for Saturday night race. Easily an top 10 option in my opinion.
99-Carl Edwards: Edwards was good in both sessions on Friday. Posted the 6th and 9th single fastest lap. He was good to start off a run , but faded as a run went on.
Twitter - @JeffNathans
