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A:
1. Brad Keselowski - The past 3 Race winners (Kenseth , Johnson and Hamlin) have had a lackluster finish the previous race. Keselowski finished 40th at Bristol. Also those three drivers had strong track records! Keselowski was the best driver last season at Richmond and it wasn't very close either. Need more convincing? He had one of the best cars in my opinion during the two practice sessions on Friday. Don't be surprised if Keselowski doesn't run away from the field early and often!
My Overall Ranking: 1st
2. Kevin Harvick - Harvick have a fast car again , but he didn't look dominant. He will undoubtedly be a heavy contender , but hard seeing him putting laps around the field like at Phoenix. Harvick is not a hard guy to figure out. Usually his practice lap times tell you a lot about his car. Typically he is either miles better than the field or just really good. Based on Friday , Harvick is a top 5 guy. However he was far from dominant. The one thing I like about Harvick is he been very reliable this season and at Richmond during his career. I say Harvick have an top 3 car overall.
My Overall Ranking: 2nd
3. Joey Logano - Logano was very strong in pair of practices on Friday and will likely contend for the win this weekend! Logano brings a blend of reliability and upside to the table. Only once this season have he finished outside the top 10. Also it doesn't hurt he won this race last season either. To me Logano ultimate flaw will his Crew. Can they keep up with the track? This season they been inconsistent in keeping their driver up front in the top 5. Based on practice I say he is an top 5 option. However, weather the 22 keep up with the track changes is pretty questionable. We never got that question answered at Bristol.
My Overall Ranking: 3rd
4. Denny Hamlin - Hamlin missed most of Bristol after an neck injury. Fortunately he is back in car for Richmond. Hamlin looked pretty good overall in both practices. He didn't have the fastest car , but I thought he was about an top 5 option at end of final practice. His track record of late doesn't impress me , but I have a strong feeling he get back on track this weekend! None of the JGR cars looked like winning cars , but they seem to race better than they practice. At Bristol and Martinsville , all the JGR cars looked at best top 10. The outcomes been much better. Personally I think that have shown a lot of people off.
My Overall Ranking: 4th
5. Matt Kenseth - Matt is one of my favorite guys to roll with when I want a reliable option. Last week it paid off for all the players who wanted to play it safe. This week I am not as optimist as last week. However I do like Kenseth a lot once again. Kenseth this season been a excellent qualifier and just as good in the race. On Friday , Kenseth looked solid. He didn't wheel off the fastest lap in either session , but that so Matt Kenseth! Last week we knew he had an good hand , but turns out he had a few aces. Throughout his career he been knew for that. This weekend will be no different!
My Overall Ranking: 5th
Other options - Dale Jr (7th) , Gordon (10th) , Johnson (12th) and Newman (13th)
B:
1. Carl Edwards - Edwards looked top 10 in pair of Friday practices! I feel like Edwards is getting closer and closer from breaking out in a Toyota. Two of the past three races Edwards have been running in the top 5 before having a issue. Don't think for a second that was accident! It pretty obvious the 19 team have the short tracks down. He haven't gotten the results , but it only matter of time now. Don't be shocked to see Edwards break through at Richmond. His two teammates have wins , I bet he feeling a little left out right now. That definitely some extra motivation to get the job done. Would be cool to see JGR sweep the early short track stench of Bristol , Martinsville and Richmond.
My Overall Ranking: 6th
2. Kurt Busch - I should rank Busch a little higher , but I need him to finish races in the top 5 first. After not able to finish the deal for the third straight race, I need some convincing! He was pretty good in practice I would say. Nothing overly impressive , but definitely worthy of starting in any format. Not exactly sure if he can run in the top 5 with his teammate though. If I was betting man , I say he finishes around 7th.
My Overall Ranking: 8th
3. Martin Truex Jr - Truex was very good in both practices on Friday. Honestly I think he an potential top 10 option if he can stay out of trouble. Martin was happy with car and should be able run with the guys around him. Richmond isn't the first place I would choose to use him at , but there are definitely worse options out there to have. I say he finishes in the 6th-10th place range. I wouldn't rule out a top 5 though. I expect this weekend race to be another crapshoot , just like last weekend was.
My Overall Ranking: 9th
4. Kyle Larson - There were several worthy option for the 4th spot. Larson had the most upside. This kid can wheel anything to an respectable finish! He haven't stood out to me , but he didn't standout last week at Bristol either. That the thing about practice , we only know what practice gives us. Most of the time , the race is way too unpredictable for us to be 100% accurate. Especially after the top tier options! Larson leads the pack of 2nd-Tier drivers. I consider the top 10 drivers as the top tier. Larson big disadvantage will always be his equipment. Long as he with CGR ,Larson will be held back. If he never leaves , we may never see his true potential.
My Overall Ranking: 11th
5. Kasey Kahne - Kahne haven't looked all too good and I am not really surprised. Richmond haven't been his best track throughout his career and only 1 have one Top 10 in 6 starts with HMS. On Friday , he looked like an teen-ish driver. I like Kahne potential this season , but he doesn't have the driving talent to overcome diversity. Such as pit road problems , poor handling car , or bad race setup. Personally I wouldn't use Kahne here. Way too many better places to use him. I say he still finishes inside the top 15 though.
My Overall Ranking: 14th
Other Options - JMac (15th) , Bowyer (16th), Stewart (18th) , Stenhouse Jr (19th) and Almirola (20th)
C:
1. David Ragan - News recently broke that Ragan may be joining MWR after Talladega which is good news for those whom play Yahoo Fantasy Racing. Ragan have ran very well for JGR , so it not too shocking to say the least. Ragan looked decent on Friday. I wouldn't exactly call him an top 10 play. However he will definitely contend for least another top 20 and possibly an top 15. Hard saying to tell the truth. In my opinion he on the boarder of top 15. I say he just finishes outside that mark.
My Overall Ranking: 17th
2. Brett Moffitt - Brett is probably 2nd best option in this tier. He actually have an short track background so I am not totally against rolling the dice. Moffitt value will heavily depend on Ragan eventual finish. Especially in formats such as Yahoo , which scoring is based on final finish. I say he finishes around 20th at Richmond. Rumors are this is his final start with MWR for this season. Another reason possibly consider to gamble on him.
My Overall Ranking: 22nd
3. Chase Elliott - Elliott rounds out the Tier. I wasn't exactly thrilled about what I saw from Elliott on Friday. He could have done worse though. Honestly I thought him and Moffitt were neck and neck most of those practices. Elliott scares me a little. At Martinsville , he wrecked out way too early. I say he definitely have the most potential/talent in this tier , but hard to recommend someone making their 2nd start over a more proven option in Ragan or even Moffitt who seems to settle in now.
My Overall Ranking: 24th
Other options - Danica (25th) and Allgier (26th)
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans