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There will be many challenges when setting our lineups! Both practices were held during the day which means , that data will be less relevant to us (than a day race.) Also I feel like certain teams perform better under the lights. So don't automatically assume a driver is a sure thing. On the flip side , don't disregard the practices either. Its really the only thing we have to go on.
A:
1. Kevin Harvick - Harvick have finished 1st or 2nd at every intermediate track in 2015. Also he looked solid in race trim which suggests he probably have a car capable of winning Saturday night. In final practice , he started off the session with a 13-lap run (in race trim) and sounded pleased with his car. Also I thought he was way better in final practice. Harvick was clicking off some very fast laps. I think he have an top 5 car and will have a great chance going to victory lane. Overall he is the best pick to go with right now. They're hot and shouldn't cool down anytime soon. Harvick have led least one lap in every race this season. Which just add addition value to his staggering potential.
My Overall Ranking: 1st
2. Jimmie Johnson - I could've easily ranked Johnson first , but I didn't. I believe the only way Johnson don't finish well is because the 48 team itself. They're fast and probably will finish in the top 5. In the first practice , Johnson solely focused on making his car better. Several cars in front of him put down a mock qualifying run (least I assume) , where Johnson did not. He started off loose with a 4-lap run. Later in the session with 30 minutes left , Chad Knaus was pleased with Jimmie's laps times. I say he is a top 5 option with possible winning potential.
My Overall Ranking: 2nd
3. Joey Logano - Logano starts up front and have a fast car which should contend for early on. Ultimately he will probably fade to the latter half of top 10 when checkers waves. The 22 team just never able to keep up with the track. Logano spent most of the practice in race-trim. He showed decent speed overall in the session. Put down some very fast laps in that session as well.
My Overall Ranking: 4th
4. Brad Keselowski - Keselowski was solid in both practices on Friday. I thought he very good based on his lap times. Nothing that stood out , but still should be competitive come the race on Saturday night. Brad have about a top 5 car heading into Saturday night car. Honestly I think Brad was way overlooked this week. If he have the right gameplan , then I wouldn't be shocked if he goes to victory lane.
My Overall Ranking: 5th
5. Matt Kenseth: Kenseth may be the safest option in the field. He showed he can run up front this season. While he didn't flex much muscle in practice , but Matt rarely does. He is like a magician! A magician never tells you his secrets , like Matt won't show you what type of car he have. Kenseth almost a lock for a top 10 in my opinion and quite frankly will likely be undervalued. 6 Of his past 9 races have ended in the top 5. I believe he will make it 7 of his 10 or come up a position or two short at worst.
My Overall Ranking: 6th
Other Options: Dale Jr (8th) , Denny Hamlin (9th) , and Jeff Gordon (11th)
B:
1. Kurt Busch - Really didn't watch Busch much in practice since I expected him to be fast. He didn't really disappoint either. I did track his opening race run of final practice and his times were pretty legitimate well in the top 10. I say when it all said and done , Busch will find himself with least another top 10. His teammate is Kevin Harvick , so that cannot be a bad thing either! I have acorss the line 3rd-8th place or so.
My Overall Ranking: 3rd
2. Kasey Kahne - I trust Kahne much as I do my wife with my credit card. But I think Kahne have a car that he could run and finished in the top 5. He sounded very happy about his car in first practice and ended final practice at top of the leaderboard. Kahne may be the best of the HMS (alongside Johnson) , but this is Kahne we talking about still. How many of you have seen Kahne finish poorly with a fast car? I know I have. I will say he finishes from 5th-10th place range.
My Overall Ranking: 7th
3. Carl Edwards - I believe Edwards will breakout of his slump. His #19 Toyota looked fast in both practices and certainly could breakout at Texas. I really want to say start him on your fantasy team , but something always seems to derail Edwards in 2015. Use him at your own personal risk. Its is encouraging to see his teammates also looking good. The JGR cars have been solid on Intermediate tracks this season.
My Overall Ranking: 10th
4. Martin Truex Jr - A lot to like about Martin Truex Jr with his current hot streak. I believe it will continue to seven top 10s. But I also believe the past few races , Truex Jr have had to overcome setbacks. Which leads me to believe his streak come be snapped sooner rather than later. Truex looked fast in first practice. He did a lot of race runs in final practice. But was fast once again. I have Truex pencil in as an top 10 play. In my overall rankings , I bumped him just outside the top 10 to give him more room for error.
My Overall Ranking: 12th
5. Kyle Larson - Larson probably have an top 15 car , but his driving abilities will give him top 10 potential. Honestly I am waiting for Larson to breakout before using him. Even though I think there a lot to like him. Especially how he rides the top side. All race long he will be glued to that wall. This should be beneficial in the race , but let hope he doesn't get loose or anything though. I say he finishes from 7th - 15th place range.
My Overall Ranking: 14th
6. Paul Menard - Menard haven't blown the roof off , but he looks like an top 15 option and should deliver a solid finish. Paul Menard earlier this week said the RCR cars have quickly adopted to 2015 package. The results have shown it too. I like Menard a lot , I think he is the best sleeper to go with. He doesn't bring much upside , instead brings reliable. I say Menard finishes from 12th - 17th place range. Anything better than that is bonus.
My Overall Ranking: 15th
Other Options: Tony Stewart (16th) , Jamie Mac (17th) , Greg Biffle (18th
C:
1. Danica Patrick - Patrick have impressed , I thought she needed to put together more consistency back in the offseason. 6 races in , she have done exactly that. Really no terrible finishes , which is the key in be a fantasy asset. I say she finishes 1-2 positions within David Ragan and Ryan Blaney. They were pretty close overall in two practices.
My Overall Ranking: 19th
2. David Ragan - Despite a poor qualifying effort , I believe Ragan still will deliver a solid finish around 20th-ish. He was fast for few laps and then fell off after awhile. Kinda been the theme with the 18 this season. A lot to do with the driver too. Cannot expect him to run a Kyle Busch setup who won this race last season. Ragan should be good for a finish from 20th-25th
My Overall Ranking: 22nd
3. Ryan Blaney - Blaney could jump both Danica and Ragan! My gut tells me , he just might. Unfortunately I trust the experience over Blaney. I thought he looked good on the long run. Wasn't crazy about his short run speed though. When it all said and done , I say he finishes near the the two drivers listed above. Blaney is a top 25 option with top 20 upside.
My overall Ranking: 23rd
Other Option: Justin Alliagier (25th)
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans
