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Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the site of this weekend race. This comes in middle of a three race stench of flat racetracks. Indy is a 2.5 mile large-flat racetrack. Pocono is probably the most similar racetrack to Indy, even though results don't always translate. As the two tracks have some eye-opening differences.
1-JMac: When you think it okay to trust JMac, he goes out and lay a egg. Fantasy players learned at New Hampshire why I have had trust issues with him for years. McMurray last non-plate win came right here at Indianapolis in 2010. Can you believe it been 5 years? Funny how time fly. Anyhow over the past two seasons, he have compiled 17.5 average finish with 15.5 average running position and 76.8 driver rating here. Looking at his career numbers, he have been top 5 or nothing really. Over his past 8 races, he have finished 15th-22nd in 5 of those races. However in 2010 he won and finished 4th in 2011. JMac just haven't been the same since with finishes of 22nd, 15th and 20th. At Pocono earlier this season, he finished 7th. But for majority of the event he ran just outside of the top 10. In that race, he held an 11.0 average running position.
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselowski is coming off back-to-back races where he had the best car, but failed to win either race. Indy isn't Brad best racetrack, but it not his worst either though. Over the past 2 seasons, he have compiled 16.5 average finish, 7.5 average start, 15.5 average running position and 83.5 driver rating. In 5 career starts, BK have finished 12th-21st in 3 of his 5 career races. His best result was in 2011 and 2012 were he finished 9th in both races. In 2013, he finished 21st and last season (2014) he finished 12th in one of his most production seasons ever from a season point of view. Earlier this season, he finished 17th at Pocono. In that event, he held an 11.0 average running position and never really contended. However I feel like Penske have made major gains since then. So expect a top 10 run out of Brad Keselowski and the 2 team.
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon is coming off an top 10 finish at New Hampshire. I been overall impressed with Dillon over the past few months. His results don't show how good he been. Last season he finished 10th at Indianapolis while posting 13.0 average running position and 89.7 driver rating. If he can continue to run well like he have this season, then I think he can repeat that performance from 2014. A lot of people don't realize that Dillon is a legit sleeper on a weekly basis now. At Pocono earlier this season, he finished 19th but had a top 15 car for the event though. In fact he spent almost half of the race inside the top 15.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick was reportedly scary fast in a test session recently at Indianapolis. If that true, then the field better be prepared to watch the Kevin Harvick show from a far distance. Of course that was before Nascar announced a new rule package for this weekend race. So not sure how valid that test data is now. Over the past 2 seasons at Indy, he have compiled 13.5 average finish, 12.5 average start, 11.0 average running position, 14 laps led and 95.9 driver rating. Last season he finished 8th after starting on the pole, but he was better than that. In that race, he held 6.0 average running position and 114.3 driver rating. I would say only Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon had better cars in that race. Digging deeper into his track record at Indy, he have been one of the most consistent drivers in the series. His lone win came in 2003.
Since making his debut in 2001, he finished 11 of 14 races inside of the top 13. Minus his 2008 misfortune, he have finished every single race inside the top 19. Earlier this season at Pocono, he finished 2nd in that race and arguably had the best car behind Martin Truex Jr.
5-Kasey Kahne: Kasey Kahne had the car to beat last season at Indianapolis, but I think that was more to do with him wanting to make the chase than anything really. As I don't expect him to repeat such performance. Even though this is a very good track for Kahne and Hendrick MotorSports. Over the past 2 seasons at Indy, he have compiled 4.5 average running position with 5.5 average running position, 70 laps led and 124.6 driver rating. Not many realize how good Kahne is at Indianapolis. He been a great racer at this venue long before he joined Hendrick. Since his debut in 2004, he have finished inside the top 13 in 8 of his 11 career starts. In fact he have finished 7th or better in 6 of those races. Including back-to-back finishes inside the top 6. Outside of Charlotte (and maybe Bristol), I would consider this Kasey's best racetrack. However the results have not always transformed from Pocono as he have struggled there from time to time. Earlier this season, he finished 13th at Pocono. He had about a 10th-place car in that race. Honestly it hard saying how Kasey will do this weekend. As he really haven't flexed much muscle up front this season.
10-Danica Patrick: Danica is coming off an 24th-place at New Hampshire and truthfully I am not sure if her season gonna get any easier at Indianapolis. Patrick have struggled to produce consistent results at flat racetracks in general. Especially the larger flat tracks. In fact, she have zero top 25 finishes in 5 starts at Pocono and Indy which is more than enough to draw some major red flags. Even though she have performed halfway decent in few races. Last season she 42nd here after having mechanical issues. In her debut, she finished 2 laps down in 30th place. Earlier this season at Pocono, she had top 20 car and was actually running inside the top 15 before smashing into the wall. Honestly my hopes aren't terribly high for Danica this week.
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin is coming off a 14th place finish at New Hampshire. He have been pretty inconsistent on the flats in general this season. He won at Martinsville, but have struggled to finish inside the top 10 otherwise. Over the past 2 season at Indy, he have compiled 10.5 average finish with 12.5 average running position, 22 laps led and 93.1 driver rating. Last season he finished inside the top 5 here. But that only been one of his few solid showing at the 2.5 mile racetrack. In 9 career races, he have only 2 Top 10s and 4 Top 10s. While those are terrible stats, he also have finished 15th or worse in 5 races here. Including finishes of 27th, 22nd and 34th. On the plus side, he have led in 3 straight races. Hamlin struggled at Pocono for the most part. I believe he finished outside the top 10 in that race. If I am not mistaken, he wasn't even a contender for a top 10 finisher either. If he was it was just inside the top 10. I will be honest that I am not real high on Hamlin or JGR as a whole. I understand why a lot of people are though.
16-Greg Biffle: Indianapolis used to be a top racetrack for Biff. The word use to be is a very common term to describe the Biff nowadays. It sad really! Over the past two seasons at Indy, he have really stumbled down hill (real shocker). He have came home with results of 13th last season and 24th in 2013. Believe it or not, but Greg use to be one of the best drivers here at Indy. In a 5-year stench (2008-2012), Biff finished in the 3rd-8th place range. Honestly if Greg finishes inside the top 15, then it would probably be considered a small victory. Especially with his latest comments on RFR. Personally I want no part of the 16 this week or any other week. Least not until Jack and co solve their slowness problems.
18-Kyle Busch: Someone tell Kyle Busch to stop winning (please don't though) as he is making it look easy out there with 3 wins in 4 races. Most drivers don't even have win, so that is very impressive considering he isn't even 10 races back in the Cup series. This is in my opinion , the golden part of Kyle's schedule. Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Indy are three of his best racetracks. He have won two of them and will now try for the hat trick. Personally I think he does exactly that. Of course I am a Kyle Busch's fan, so not sure how valid my opinion is. Even though he have some impressive stats here. Over the past 2 season, he have complied 6.0 average finish with 9.5 average running position and 106.3 driver rating. In fact Kyle have finished 2nd in 2 of his past 3 races at this venue. However he always been great at this track. In 10 career starts, Kyle have scored 8 Top 10 finishes. Including 5 straight Top 10 finishes.
19-Carl Edwards: Cousin Carl is starting to look like Cousin Carl again. He finished 4th at Kentucky and finished 7th at New Hampshire. I believe that is a season high back-to-back top 10 finishes. Question is can he make it 3 straight? It is very tough to say, but way JGR been looking of late it is very possible. Looking at his track record, Carl been a teen driver all of his career at this place. In 10 career starts, he have finished 12th-18th in 6 races. The other four consist of 1 top 5 finishes (2nd place - 2008) , 2 top 10 finishes (coming in 2007 and 2010) and 29th place finish coming in 2012. So overall not impressive record, but Joe Gibbs Racing have a far better flat track program than RFR ever had. So don't be surprised to see Edwards in the top 10 when it all said and done on Sunday.
20-Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth is a pretty underrated driver at Indy. He have finished inside the top 5 in both his starts with Joe Gibbs Racing. With finishes of 4th and 5th the past two seasons, but he have been great here since 2002. In only his 3rd career start at this venue, he finished inside the top 5 (3rd) in 2002. He followed that up in 2003 with a 2nd place finish to pole sitter and eventual winner Kevin Harvick. In 15 career starts at Indy, he have finished inside the top 5 in 7 races. In fact, he have finished inside the top 10 in 9 of his past 13 career starts. Including 3 top 5 finishes in his past 4 races this this track. If you want a safe pick, then Matt Kenseth may be your man. Who knows he might surprise you with a win or something.
22-Joey Logano: Logano have now finished 4 of his past 5 races this season inside the top 5. He is coming off a 4th-place at New Hampshire. Which gives him 11 Top 5 for the 2015 season. He is my hunch play for the week. He was never anything special with Gibbs, but he been a solid fantasy option since joining Penske. He finished 8th in his debut and followed that up with a top 5 run last season. Logano have proven to be a reliable fantasy option all season, so no reason why he won't continue to be that this week. Honestly I feel like he is way overlooked at track like Indy because he doesn't have a good track. Most tracks we go to, he won't have the track record like most of his competition. I believe in momentum first and everything else second. Right now only Kyle Busch have more going for him than Joey Logano. Not to mention, he been a qualifying machine all season long. Don't be shocked to him on the pole or at very least the front row.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon is having a pretty down season in his final year. He will most likely make the chase, but I doubt he finds a way to victory lane though. I understand his fans are upset, but it not Jeff fault or his team's fault. The race package (up to this point of the season) doesn't line up with his preferred style of driving like it did in 2014. Honestly I feel like this new race package actually might help him more than others. However that just my personal opinion though. Over the past 2 seasons, Gordon have compiled 4.0 average finish with 7.0 average running position, 51 laps led and 121.1 driver rating. This have always been a great track for Gordon though. Ever since his debut here in 1994, he been one of the best ever. In 21 career races, Gordon have finished inside the top 10 in 17 races here. Including 9th or better in 12 of his past 14 races here. In that 14-race span, Gordon have finished 9 races inside the top 6. with 8 of those races ending inside the top 5. He truly been impressive.
27-Paul Menard: July 31, 2011 a date that I considered to be one of the biggest upsets in Nascar history. A day where a dominant Jeff Gordon paced laps around the field and was nearly untouchable from the green flag. However Menard made his debut for RCR at Indy had other plans in mind. His late fuel mileage strategy allowed him to hold off a fast and charging Jeff Gordon. And he did and went to victory lane. Don't be fooled though. He had at best 20th place car for that race. Since? His best finish of 12th was in 2013. Even though he also finished 14th in 2012. It tough to say how Menard will do honestly. Realistically I would say he finishes somewhere in the teen area.
41-Kurt Busch: Indy is probably one of Kurt's worst racetracks on the schedule. Over the past 2 seasons here, he have compiled 21.0 average finish with 17.0 average running position and 83.1 driver rating. He finished 14th in 2013 with the 78 team but that been his only solid finish since 2010 where he finished 10th in the 2010 event. In 14 career starts, Busch have only 6 Top 12 finishes with only 4 of them ending inside the top 10. His best career finish? 5th in 2001 in his debut at the track in the Sprint Cup Series with Roush Racing. On the plus side, he had one of the strongest cars at Pocono Raceway.
42-Kyle Larson: Larson is coming off back-to-back-to-back finishes outside the top 30. Yes that is a thing. He needs to find a way to finish races again. PJ Walsh of FantasyNascarPreview.com made a great point about Larson not liking the slick racetracks. A lot of us (including myself) were sold that Larson would come alive once the weather got warmer. In fact I don't think we ever 'truly' believe that, but rather wanted that to be true so much we actually convinced ourselves. I been very high on Larson all season, but over the last few weeks I have lost a lot of faith in Larson. He finished 7th at Indianapolis last season after starting in 15th.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson is coming off a disappointing race at New Hampshire, but he should get back on track at one of his best venues. Over the past two seasons, he have compiled 8.0 average running position with 7.5 average running position , 73 laps led and 115.1 driver rating. Last season he finished 14th and was never a true contender in that race. Honestly Johnson had a down year for the most part last season. However that was one of the few times Johnson didn't contend at this track. Over his past 8 races (minus last season race), Johnson have finished either 1st or 2nd which is a series-best (by a large margin). In fact he have scored 4 wins in that span since the 2006 season. Typically if Johnson doesn't finish up front, then something happened to him in the race. In my opinion, Johnson have a boom or bust outlook to him. In 13 career races, he finished inside the top 5 in 5 races and have finished 18th or worse in 6 other races.
78-Martin Truex Jr: It seems like the 78 team have taken their foot off the gas and honestly I cannot say I am shocked. Even though finishing 12th at New Hampshire isn't terrible either. Indy have been a tough track for Truex since his debut in 2005. In 10 career starts, he have only finished inside the top 12 in 3 races. Before leaving MWR, he knocking off back-to-back finishes of 11th or better. Including a career-best 8th place finish in 2012. However he did win at Pocono earlier this season in a dominating victory after the field. So there that I guess.
88-Dale Jr: Dale Jr have knocked off 3 straight finishes inside the top 10. Over the past 2 seasons, he have compiled 7.5 average finish with 16.0 average running position and 91.7 driver rating. Last season he actually struggled here. He only held an 17.0 average running position, but did still managed to finish inside the top 10 though. In 2013 he finished 6th in that race. He didn't exactly have a top 10 car, but he mainly hung out just outside of the top 10 for a lot of that event. Earlier this season at Pocono, he finished 11th but he had a potential top 5 car. I think he will finish inside the top 10 once again this week though.
***All stats are from DriverAverages and FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the site of this weekend race. This comes in middle of a three race stench of flat racetracks. Indy is a 2.5 mile large-flat racetrack. Pocono is probably the most similar racetrack to Indy, even though results don't always translate. As the two tracks have some eye-opening differences.
1-JMac: When you think it okay to trust JMac, he goes out and lay a egg. Fantasy players learned at New Hampshire why I have had trust issues with him for years. McMurray last non-plate win came right here at Indianapolis in 2010. Can you believe it been 5 years? Funny how time fly. Anyhow over the past two seasons, he have compiled 17.5 average finish with 15.5 average running position and 76.8 driver rating here. Looking at his career numbers, he have been top 5 or nothing really. Over his past 8 races, he have finished 15th-22nd in 5 of those races. However in 2010 he won and finished 4th in 2011. JMac just haven't been the same since with finishes of 22nd, 15th and 20th. At Pocono earlier this season, he finished 7th. But for majority of the event he ran just outside of the top 10. In that race, he held an 11.0 average running position.
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselowski is coming off back-to-back races where he had the best car, but failed to win either race. Indy isn't Brad best racetrack, but it not his worst either though. Over the past 2 seasons, he have compiled 16.5 average finish, 7.5 average start, 15.5 average running position and 83.5 driver rating. In 5 career starts, BK have finished 12th-21st in 3 of his 5 career races. His best result was in 2011 and 2012 were he finished 9th in both races. In 2013, he finished 21st and last season (2014) he finished 12th in one of his most production seasons ever from a season point of view. Earlier this season, he finished 17th at Pocono. In that event, he held an 11.0 average running position and never really contended. However I feel like Penske have made major gains since then. So expect a top 10 run out of Brad Keselowski and the 2 team.
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon is coming off an top 10 finish at New Hampshire. I been overall impressed with Dillon over the past few months. His results don't show how good he been. Last season he finished 10th at Indianapolis while posting 13.0 average running position and 89.7 driver rating. If he can continue to run well like he have this season, then I think he can repeat that performance from 2014. A lot of people don't realize that Dillon is a legit sleeper on a weekly basis now. At Pocono earlier this season, he finished 19th but had a top 15 car for the event though. In fact he spent almost half of the race inside the top 15.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick was reportedly scary fast in a test session recently at Indianapolis. If that true, then the field better be prepared to watch the Kevin Harvick show from a far distance. Of course that was before Nascar announced a new rule package for this weekend race. So not sure how valid that test data is now. Over the past 2 seasons at Indy, he have compiled 13.5 average finish, 12.5 average start, 11.0 average running position, 14 laps led and 95.9 driver rating. Last season he finished 8th after starting on the pole, but he was better than that. In that race, he held 6.0 average running position and 114.3 driver rating. I would say only Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon had better cars in that race. Digging deeper into his track record at Indy, he have been one of the most consistent drivers in the series. His lone win came in 2003.
Since making his debut in 2001, he finished 11 of 14 races inside of the top 13. Minus his 2008 misfortune, he have finished every single race inside the top 19. Earlier this season at Pocono, he finished 2nd in that race and arguably had the best car behind Martin Truex Jr.
5-Kasey Kahne: Kasey Kahne had the car to beat last season at Indianapolis, but I think that was more to do with him wanting to make the chase than anything really. As I don't expect him to repeat such performance. Even though this is a very good track for Kahne and Hendrick MotorSports. Over the past 2 seasons at Indy, he have compiled 4.5 average running position with 5.5 average running position, 70 laps led and 124.6 driver rating. Not many realize how good Kahne is at Indianapolis. He been a great racer at this venue long before he joined Hendrick. Since his debut in 2004, he have finished inside the top 13 in 8 of his 11 career starts. In fact he have finished 7th or better in 6 of those races. Including back-to-back finishes inside the top 6. Outside of Charlotte (and maybe Bristol), I would consider this Kasey's best racetrack. However the results have not always transformed from Pocono as he have struggled there from time to time. Earlier this season, he finished 13th at Pocono. He had about a 10th-place car in that race. Honestly it hard saying how Kasey will do this weekend. As he really haven't flexed much muscle up front this season.
10-Danica Patrick: Danica is coming off an 24th-place at New Hampshire and truthfully I am not sure if her season gonna get any easier at Indianapolis. Patrick have struggled to produce consistent results at flat racetracks in general. Especially the larger flat tracks. In fact, she have zero top 25 finishes in 5 starts at Pocono and Indy which is more than enough to draw some major red flags. Even though she have performed halfway decent in few races. Last season she 42nd here after having mechanical issues. In her debut, she finished 2 laps down in 30th place. Earlier this season at Pocono, she had top 20 car and was actually running inside the top 15 before smashing into the wall. Honestly my hopes aren't terribly high for Danica this week.
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin is coming off a 14th place finish at New Hampshire. He have been pretty inconsistent on the flats in general this season. He won at Martinsville, but have struggled to finish inside the top 10 otherwise. Over the past 2 season at Indy, he have compiled 10.5 average finish with 12.5 average running position, 22 laps led and 93.1 driver rating. Last season he finished inside the top 5 here. But that only been one of his few solid showing at the 2.5 mile racetrack. In 9 career races, he have only 2 Top 10s and 4 Top 10s. While those are terrible stats, he also have finished 15th or worse in 5 races here. Including finishes of 27th, 22nd and 34th. On the plus side, he have led in 3 straight races. Hamlin struggled at Pocono for the most part. I believe he finished outside the top 10 in that race. If I am not mistaken, he wasn't even a contender for a top 10 finisher either. If he was it was just inside the top 10. I will be honest that I am not real high on Hamlin or JGR as a whole. I understand why a lot of people are though.
16-Greg Biffle: Indianapolis used to be a top racetrack for Biff. The word use to be is a very common term to describe the Biff nowadays. It sad really! Over the past two seasons at Indy, he have really stumbled down hill (real shocker). He have came home with results of 13th last season and 24th in 2013. Believe it or not, but Greg use to be one of the best drivers here at Indy. In a 5-year stench (2008-2012), Biff finished in the 3rd-8th place range. Honestly if Greg finishes inside the top 15, then it would probably be considered a small victory. Especially with his latest comments on RFR. Personally I want no part of the 16 this week or any other week. Least not until Jack and co solve their slowness problems.
18-Kyle Busch: Someone tell Kyle Busch to stop winning (please don't though) as he is making it look easy out there with 3 wins in 4 races. Most drivers don't even have win, so that is very impressive considering he isn't even 10 races back in the Cup series. This is in my opinion , the golden part of Kyle's schedule. Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Indy are three of his best racetracks. He have won two of them and will now try for the hat trick. Personally I think he does exactly that. Of course I am a Kyle Busch's fan, so not sure how valid my opinion is. Even though he have some impressive stats here. Over the past 2 season, he have complied 6.0 average finish with 9.5 average running position and 106.3 driver rating. In fact Kyle have finished 2nd in 2 of his past 3 races at this venue. However he always been great at this track. In 10 career starts, Kyle have scored 8 Top 10 finishes. Including 5 straight Top 10 finishes.
19-Carl Edwards: Cousin Carl is starting to look like Cousin Carl again. He finished 4th at Kentucky and finished 7th at New Hampshire. I believe that is a season high back-to-back top 10 finishes. Question is can he make it 3 straight? It is very tough to say, but way JGR been looking of late it is very possible. Looking at his track record, Carl been a teen driver all of his career at this place. In 10 career starts, he have finished 12th-18th in 6 races. The other four consist of 1 top 5 finishes (2nd place - 2008) , 2 top 10 finishes (coming in 2007 and 2010) and 29th place finish coming in 2012. So overall not impressive record, but Joe Gibbs Racing have a far better flat track program than RFR ever had. So don't be surprised to see Edwards in the top 10 when it all said and done on Sunday.
20-Matt Kenseth: Matt Kenseth is a pretty underrated driver at Indy. He have finished inside the top 5 in both his starts with Joe Gibbs Racing. With finishes of 4th and 5th the past two seasons, but he have been great here since 2002. In only his 3rd career start at this venue, he finished inside the top 5 (3rd) in 2002. He followed that up in 2003 with a 2nd place finish to pole sitter and eventual winner Kevin Harvick. In 15 career starts at Indy, he have finished inside the top 5 in 7 races. In fact, he have finished inside the top 10 in 9 of his past 13 career starts. Including 3 top 5 finishes in his past 4 races this this track. If you want a safe pick, then Matt Kenseth may be your man. Who knows he might surprise you with a win or something.
22-Joey Logano: Logano have now finished 4 of his past 5 races this season inside the top 5. He is coming off a 4th-place at New Hampshire. Which gives him 11 Top 5 for the 2015 season. He is my hunch play for the week. He was never anything special with Gibbs, but he been a solid fantasy option since joining Penske. He finished 8th in his debut and followed that up with a top 5 run last season. Logano have proven to be a reliable fantasy option all season, so no reason why he won't continue to be that this week. Honestly I feel like he is way overlooked at track like Indy because he doesn't have a good track. Most tracks we go to, he won't have the track record like most of his competition. I believe in momentum first and everything else second. Right now only Kyle Busch have more going for him than Joey Logano. Not to mention, he been a qualifying machine all season long. Don't be shocked to him on the pole or at very least the front row.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon is having a pretty down season in his final year. He will most likely make the chase, but I doubt he finds a way to victory lane though. I understand his fans are upset, but it not Jeff fault or his team's fault. The race package (up to this point of the season) doesn't line up with his preferred style of driving like it did in 2014. Honestly I feel like this new race package actually might help him more than others. However that just my personal opinion though. Over the past 2 seasons, Gordon have compiled 4.0 average finish with 7.0 average running position, 51 laps led and 121.1 driver rating. This have always been a great track for Gordon though. Ever since his debut here in 1994, he been one of the best ever. In 21 career races, Gordon have finished inside the top 10 in 17 races here. Including 9th or better in 12 of his past 14 races here. In that 14-race span, Gordon have finished 9 races inside the top 6. with 8 of those races ending inside the top 5. He truly been impressive.
27-Paul Menard: July 31, 2011 a date that I considered to be one of the biggest upsets in Nascar history. A day where a dominant Jeff Gordon paced laps around the field and was nearly untouchable from the green flag. However Menard made his debut for RCR at Indy had other plans in mind. His late fuel mileage strategy allowed him to hold off a fast and charging Jeff Gordon. And he did and went to victory lane. Don't be fooled though. He had at best 20th place car for that race. Since? His best finish of 12th was in 2013. Even though he also finished 14th in 2012. It tough to say how Menard will do honestly. Realistically I would say he finishes somewhere in the teen area.
41-Kurt Busch: Indy is probably one of Kurt's worst racetracks on the schedule. Over the past 2 seasons here, he have compiled 21.0 average finish with 17.0 average running position and 83.1 driver rating. He finished 14th in 2013 with the 78 team but that been his only solid finish since 2010 where he finished 10th in the 2010 event. In 14 career starts, Busch have only 6 Top 12 finishes with only 4 of them ending inside the top 10. His best career finish? 5th in 2001 in his debut at the track in the Sprint Cup Series with Roush Racing. On the plus side, he had one of the strongest cars at Pocono Raceway.
42-Kyle Larson: Larson is coming off back-to-back-to-back finishes outside the top 30. Yes that is a thing. He needs to find a way to finish races again. PJ Walsh of FantasyNascarPreview.com made a great point about Larson not liking the slick racetracks. A lot of us (including myself) were sold that Larson would come alive once the weather got warmer. In fact I don't think we ever 'truly' believe that, but rather wanted that to be true so much we actually convinced ourselves. I been very high on Larson all season, but over the last few weeks I have lost a lot of faith in Larson. He finished 7th at Indianapolis last season after starting in 15th.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson is coming off a disappointing race at New Hampshire, but he should get back on track at one of his best venues. Over the past two seasons, he have compiled 8.0 average running position with 7.5 average running position , 73 laps led and 115.1 driver rating. Last season he finished 14th and was never a true contender in that race. Honestly Johnson had a down year for the most part last season. However that was one of the few times Johnson didn't contend at this track. Over his past 8 races (minus last season race), Johnson have finished either 1st or 2nd which is a series-best (by a large margin). In fact he have scored 4 wins in that span since the 2006 season. Typically if Johnson doesn't finish up front, then something happened to him in the race. In my opinion, Johnson have a boom or bust outlook to him. In 13 career races, he finished inside the top 5 in 5 races and have finished 18th or worse in 6 other races.
78-Martin Truex Jr: It seems like the 78 team have taken their foot off the gas and honestly I cannot say I am shocked. Even though finishing 12th at New Hampshire isn't terrible either. Indy have been a tough track for Truex since his debut in 2005. In 10 career starts, he have only finished inside the top 12 in 3 races. Before leaving MWR, he knocking off back-to-back finishes of 11th or better. Including a career-best 8th place finish in 2012. However he did win at Pocono earlier this season in a dominating victory after the field. So there that I guess.
88-Dale Jr: Dale Jr have knocked off 3 straight finishes inside the top 10. Over the past 2 seasons, he have compiled 7.5 average finish with 16.0 average running position and 91.7 driver rating. Last season he actually struggled here. He only held an 17.0 average running position, but did still managed to finish inside the top 10 though. In 2013 he finished 6th in that race. He didn't exactly have a top 10 car, but he mainly hung out just outside of the top 10 for a lot of that event. Earlier this season at Pocono, he finished 11th but he had a potential top 5 car. I think he will finish inside the top 10 once again this week though.
***All stats are from DriverAverages and FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans