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Crazy Texas race we had! Everyone was complaining about it being boring after 200 laps. Well Nascar gave the fans a ending to remember alright! Lets not get into that since this is about fantasy nascar. Instead lets focus on the task at hand out west. Phoenix is one of three tracks I have never attended a Cup race at (I raced here a few times though.) Anyhow Phoenix is a relatively short race track (1 mile in length.) Mainly compared with Martinsville and Richmond. Due to their similarities. Even though they all three are different in length and have their differences. Big reason I love using past track data. Instead of comparing tracks.
1-Jamie Mac: JMac looked average in practice at Texas and sneaked out a top 5. Way to go , JMac! His Phoenix record doesn't stand out , but JMac is having a solid chase thus far. Earlier this year , he had a top 10 potential car in practice and finish 15th (I started him so trust me.) Over the past 5 races here , JMac have compiled 22.0 average finish , 1 Top 10 , 2 Top 10s , 2 laps led and 71.3 driver rating. JMac should be a top 15 car with top 10 potential upside.
My Early Overall Ranking: 12th
2-Brad Keselowski: Yeah I probably wouldn't touch him at Phoenix. I mean Jeff Gordon is ridiculously pissed! At 1 miler like Phoenix , revenge is pretty easy. Nevertheless he should be fast unquestionably. Over the past 5 races here , BK have compiled 5.8 average finish , 3 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 59 laps led and 112.9 driver rating. He easily an top 5 guy going in.
My Early Overall Ranking: 3rd
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon is like a younger version of Matt Kenseth. He's all about consistency. Never display his full hand until raceday. Usually Dillon races better then he practices. All year he have done that. Expect no different this week.
My Early Overall Ranking: 20th
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick is headed to his own personal playground! Since the repave , Harvick been..well just dominated! He made the field look silly back in March. Its will be tough to repeat though. Over the past 5 races here , Harvick have compiled an 3.8 average finish , 3 wins , 4 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 397 laps led and 129.1 driver rating. Just impressive numbers. He basically been unstoppable in the past three races. I bet he makes that four this week.
My Early Overall Rank: 1st
5-Kasey Kahne: What the hell was Kahne doing at Texas? He was looking good then suddenly he the cause of back-to-back cautions. Sums up his season and his time at Hendrick MotorSports. There absolutely no reason he should on your radar. Especially at Phoenix. Average at best record here.
My Early Overall Ranking: 16th
10-Danica Patrick: Yeah I wasn't impressed at Texas by Danica. Honestly Phoenix may not get much better. She mightily struggled earlier this year in March. Shorter racetracks seems to be a weak point for her anyhow. Not expecting nothing more then a top 25.
Early Overall Ranking: 24th
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin to me was better before the repave. He finished 19th in March. Big reason for that was his how bad his car was on the long run. Even before , Hamlin just haven't been his dominating self. Over the past 5 races here , Hamlin have compiled 10.6 average finish , 1 win , 3 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 125 laps led and 99.2 driver rating.
My Early Overall Ranking: 8th
16-Greg Biffle: Biffle was not that good at Texas until late in the race when he got some additional track position. Anyhow earlier this season , the Biff was just terrible. At best an 20th place car. But manage to gain some track position late. Over the past 5 races here , the Biff have compiled 11.4 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 2 Top 10s , 5 Top 20s , 40 laps led and 85.1 driver rating.
My early Overall Ranking: 19th
18-Kyle Busch: Rowdy who blew a tire in middle of the race and went a lap down finished 4th. Crazy to think outside of Talladega , Rowdy have only one finish outside of top 10. Which is 11th. Consistency folks! Phoenix is another good track for Rowdy. Was about a top 10 car earlier this season in March. Over the past 5 races here , Rowdy have compiled 9.6 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 4 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 289 laps led and 103.8 driver rating. He is a great sleep with major upside. There aren't too many out there with that fantasy outlook at Phoenix.
My Early Overall Ranking: 6th
20-Matt Kenseth: I don't know how many realize it , but Kenseth finished 25th at Texas. He running top 5 until the late race incident up front. Phoenix been a questionable track for him. Over the past 5 races here , MK have compiled 13.8 average finish , 1 Top 10 , 4 Top 20s , 1 lap led and 90.3 driver rating. Kenseth needs a good run at Phoenix.
My Early Overall Ranking: 11th
22-Joey Logano: Logano was (in January) and still is my championship pick. Back in March , Logano had a top 5 car and eventually finished there. Never had a winning potential car. But nevertheless was strong all day long. I expect a similar performance this time as well. Over the past 5 races here , JoLo have compiled 15.2 average finish ,1 Top 5 , 3 Top 10s , 3 Top 20s , 104 laps led and 95.8 driver rating. I got him top 5 heading in.
My Early Overall Ranking: 4th
24-Jeff Gordon: I feel for Gordon and his fans. A championship shot was ripped out of their hands. But he isn't completely doomed fortunately. Its anyone game at Phoenix. At least three drivers gets in on points. Assuming a chaser wins at Phoenix. Gordon been decent here. Over the past 5 races here , JG have compiled 13.2 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 3 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 54 laps led and 100.1 driver rating. Gordon should be heavily considered as a favorite. He tested here recently and people have said the 24 was stupid fast during the testing.
My Early Overall Ranking: 2nd
27-Paul Menard: Menard is literally a blank slate. You cannot ever tell how good he is until the checkers wave. But it so Paul Menard. I am not high on Paul though. He recorded only 1 Top 10 on flats in 2014. Not something I want in a fantasy pick. I think he's about a top 20 option with top 15 upside.
My Early Overall Ranking: 18th
31-Ryan Newman: Newman keeps on knocking off solid finishes. Its been impressive! Texas 15th was one of worst since the chase started. But earlier this year at Phoenix ,Newman was very strong and finished 7th. I think he back that up and maybe more. Over the past 5 races here , Newman have compiled 16.6 average finish , 1 Top 5 , 3 Top 10s , 3 Top 20s , 42 laps led and 81.1 driver rating. Newman is much better at Phoenix then the number suggests. I consider Phoenix to be Newman best track or least one of them.
My Early Overall Ranking: 9th
42-Kyle Larson: Larson didn't get to VL at Texas , but added another top 10 to his already impressive rookie season. This kid is something special. He is a younger version of Kyle Busch. Super talented with the willingness to win. He gonna win a lot in the next 20 years. Shorter tracks aren't his strong suit though.
My Early Overall Ranking: 14th
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson is coming off a win at Texas! Who seen that coming after a terrible Martinsville? Yep exactly. Phoenix is a good track for Johnson. This was his personal playground before the repave. But been less then dominated since. Over the past 5 races here , Johnson have compiled 9.4 average finish , 3 Top 5s , 4 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 57 laps led and 111.6 driver rating. He should be a great option this week. Top 5 heading in.
My Early Overall Ranking: 5th
88-Dale Jr: Dale may be eliminated from championship contention , but he keeps on having good runs. Like I thought he would. Earlier this season at Phoenix , Dale Jr was extremely strong. Had the second best car overall. Only one who could keep up with Harvick. I don't think he repeats it though. Over the past 5 here , Dale have compiled 9.2 average finish , 3 Top 5s , 3 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 49 laps led and 94.8 driver rating. Dale should be a nice asset to any team this week.
My Early Overall Ranking: 7th
99-Carl Edwards: Edwards looked lost at Texas , but somehow managed score a top 10. Props to him. Carl always been good at Phoenix , but is no longer in a dominating ride (least for a few more races.) Honestly I could see Edwards scoring a top 10 , but realistically I say a top 15 option. Over the past 5 races here , Edwards have compiled 11.6 average , 1 win , 1 Top 5 , 2 Top 10s , 4 Top 20s , 159 laps led and 95.9 driver rating.
My Early Overall Ranking: 13th
***All stats from Driver Averages
Also check out: Nascar Behind The Wall. Great site. Great stuff.
Twitter - @JeffNathans
