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I was not impressed by the high-drag package at Michigan and quite frankly I doubt if we see it ever again. Honestly i doubt any of the drivers want to see this package back next season. Heck Matt Kenseth probably would not even be in favor of it and he absolutely dominated on Sunday. On the plus side we have an exciting race on tap on Saturday night at Bristol. This half-mile short track have quickly become one of the most unpredictable tracks on the schedule. I think a lot of this is due to how terrible the repave went few years ago.Just not a fan how the track is set up now, but that just me though.
1-Jamie Mac: JMac have not impressed me in a few weeks and I am starting to wonder if he peaked too soon this season. It been awhile since he have shown top 10 potential, but I believe he could be a great fantasy pick at Bristol. He seems to be more effective on the shorter racetracks for some reason. Earlier this season he finished 14th, but he easily had an top 10 car in that race. In fact he was running around 5th before getting into the wall. Luckily for him the damage was minor and he was able to rebound for an top 15 finish. Last season he was very strong at Bristol. He finished 8th and 38th. He had top 5 cars in both races, but he did not get the results he wanted. Last Spring, he was running in 4th but he was involved in the Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski wreck with less than 30 laps to go. Last summer, Jamie was dominant after the halfway point. He led 148 laps, but a caution with under 100 to go sealed his fate. He restarted in the wrong lane and never really recovered. He eventually settled for a top 10 finish. Over the past 5 races at Bristol, he have compiled 17.8 average finish with 11.4 average running position and 91.1 driver rating. In those 5 races, he have finished 14th or better three times. Including 2 of the past 3 races.
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselwoski was pretty good at Michigan, but it was only good enough for an top 10 finish. I would expect him to be a contender at Bristol this Saturday though. Keselowski have won twice at this venue, but his last win came in 2012. Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 16.8 average finish with 15.6 average running position and 88.4 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 35th after wrecking into teammate Joey Logano. He eventually finished around 20 laps down to the leaders. Last summer he finished 2nd to teammate Logano. In that race he led 46 laps, held the 2nd-best driver rating and average running position. Last spring he finished 14th but he was involved in a wreck with Kevin Harvick. There was only few laps to go, so he basically limped to the finish-line.
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon is coming off his best race of the season and will look to keep it going. I been very impressed by him. Hard to ignore that newly appointed Crew Chief Slugger have a lot to do with it. Bristol is a good place to employ Dillon at in my opinion. He have done anything special so far here, but he been pretty consistent with finishes of 10th and 11th in his first 3 career starts. Earlier this season he finished 10th. However he was running near the top 5 before pitting for fuel with only a few laps to go. Luckily there was only 11 or 12 cars left on the lead lap, so he was able to still finish very well. For that event, he started 12th , finished 10th, held 9.0 average running position and 97.3 driver rating. His average running position was good enough for 5th-best and his driver rating was good enough for 9th-best.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick have dominated Bristol over the past three races, yet he have failed to find the finishes though. Over his last 3 races at Bristol, he have compiled 29.3 average finish with 9.7 average running position and 109.1 driver rating. Earlier this season, he was simply head and shoulders better than everyone else. Nobody could really stay with him, not even Matt Kenseth who eventually went to victory lane. He led 184 laps, posted an impressive 111.9 driver rating (even with finishing 40+ laps down). His best finish at this track is 11th from last summer. In that event, he was pretty strong early but after wrecking Denny Hamlin. His car was never the same in my opinion. He was pretty solid, but that about it. Even though Harvick posted a 116-driver rating for that event. Last spring he was pretty much a top 5 driver all night long, but something broke on his car which caused him to slam the wall. In the process he took out few other contenders. Harvick eventually finished 38th when it was all said and done. You an rely on Kevin Harvick to be a very strong fantasy pick. He is my early pick to win. Yeah I know I say that every week. He will eventually win another race.
5-Kasey Kahne: A good finish for Kasey Kahne nowadays seems to be 15th and that exactly where he finished at Michigan. But to be completely honestly I wasn't very impressed by his overall performance. Unfortunately that is only one of two top 15 finishes over his past 9 races. That is no typo folks either! He started off the season pretty consistent, but now it pretty much a 50-50 chance he finishes outside of the top 20. Even after Bowyer having a bad day, I believe he will have to win to make the chase. Over the past 5 Bristol races, he have compiled 16.6 average finish with 10.2 average running position and 102.6 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 37th after being wrecked by Tony Stewart I believe. In that race, Kahne was pretty good I guess. However I would not write a story about it though. He had a top 10 car, but that was about it. Truthfully Kasey may get a little oversold from a fantasy point of view at Bristol. I mean sure he is a former winner, but people make him out to be a heavy-threat. Outside of a few races, he been pretty hit or miss. In 23 career races, he have 5 top 5 finishes and only 10 top 10 finishes. Since joining HMS, he have finished 35th or worse three times. Of course the only 4 races have ended in the top 10. Like I said hit or miss mostly.
10-Danica Patrick: Patrick is coming off a disappointing finish at Michigan, but she is coming to a track where she have found success at earlier this season. Believe it or not, Patrick finished 9th back in March. She was much worse than that in the race, but half the field was a lap down or in the garage. Got to give her credit for keeping the car in one piece. In that race, she started 26th, finished 9th, held a 20.0 average running position and 72.9 driver rating. From career point of view, she only have two top 20 finishes in 5 races. Outside of 9th (this past spring) and 18th (last spring), she have finished 26th or worse in every single start. I am not very big on Danica this weekend to be honest. Danica and short tracks aren't a great combo. Then again Bristol is not a great combo with any driver it seems lately.
11-Denny Hamlin: Since Denny Hamlin last win (Martinsville), his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates have won a combined 8 times! He must feel pretty left out, but it not surprising since he been the most inconsistent driver in that stable. He runs well each week, but the finishes just aren't there. If he wants to contend for a championship, then that will have to change. Over the past 5 races at Bristol, he have compiled 24.6 average finish with 16.4 average running position and 103.7 driver rating. He obviously have ran well in the past, but like this season he cannot find the finishes. Earlier this season, he finished 26th after being involved in a late race incident. He finished the race six laps down! Last summer he was battling for the lead with Kevin Harvick and he got turned. In the process he took out Dale Jr (Sorry Junior Nation - Don't hurt me for reminding you). Last spring, he started on the pole and finished 6th. He had a top 10 car in that race and that exactly where he finished. Believe it or not, Hamlin have finished 23rd or worse in 7 of the past 10 races at Bristol. He will be fast, but history is not on his side to finish on the lead lap!
18-Kyle Busch: Kyle Busch had a disappointing race at Michigan. Yes finishing 11th at one of his racetracks is considered bad. But that just shows how great Kyle Busch been since returning from a major injury. We now go to one of his favorite racetracks on the schedule. Busch is a 5-time winner at this venue, but all of those wins came at New Bristol. Over the past 4 races at Bristol, he have compiled 19.5 average finish with 16.5 average running position and 90.6 drive rating. Busch missed the first Bristol race. Last summer, he finished 36th. It was a very long night for Busch! I believe he got busted for speeding and then his night went to hell when he got upset with then Crew Chief Dave Rogers! At one point, Rogers told him to come to pit road and park the car. He added he was sick of his whining. Busch finished off his night by wrecking into Aric Almirola. While there isn't a lot great things to say about Kyle lately here, he have finished 11th or better in three of the past five races at Bristol. I believe he will show up with a very fast car and contend for the race win. Don't overlook him as he have proven in the past how good he is at this venue. It only matter of time before Kyle figures out this place again and when he does you will be sorry.
19-Carl Edwards: Edwards is onto something after another top 10 finish. Since Kentucky, only once in that span have Edwards finished outside the top 10. Bristol is a good track to use Edwards at! Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 17.8 average finish with 11.6 average running position and 98.4 driver rating. He only have two top 10 in his past 6 races at Bristol though. That's very concerning, but he was very strong here earlier this season. However he was involved in a incident with under 100 laps to go. Which eventually led to a 24th-place finish. Last season at RFR, he had finishes of 7th and 1st. Side note, he stayed out late last spring to win. In 2013, he had finishes of 39th and 18th. In the summer race, he arguably had the car to beat and led 119 laps until his engine let go with about 115 laps to go! In the spring race, he struggled the entire weekend and finished 18th.
20-Matt Kenseth: Let me make this simple and tell you to add Matt Kenseth to your fantasy team right now. Why? Well he have won two of the past three Sprint Cup Series races and now is at one of his best racetracks! Plus he won here earlier this season back in March. Over the past 5 races at Bristol, he have compiled 10.6 average finish (3rd-best in the series), 7.4 average start (3rd-best in the series), 508 laps led (Most in the series) , 202 fast laps (2nd most in the series), 7.2 average running position (Series-best) and 120.1 driver rating (Series-best). Matt Kenseth been so good over the past 5 races here have led over 200 more laps than Kevin Harvick who have led the 2nd-most laps. That is no easy feat, folks!
22-Joey Logano: Logano is coming off a top 10 run at Michigan, but you can expect more than that from him at Bristol this weekend though. Over the past 5 races at this place, he have compiled 16.6 average finish, 6.2 average start, 18.4 average running position and 91.1 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 40th after wrecking with teammate Brad Keselowski just before caution came out for rain. But that cannot be too surprising since he have finished 16th in every spring Bristol race. The summer time is the right time for Joey Logano at Bristol. His numbers been very good compared to the spring. Over the past 5 summer races (dating back to 2010 with Gibbs), he have finished 18th or better in every single start. Since Joining Penske, he been just unbelievable! He have finished 1st and 5th in his lone two summer starts with Penske. Overall he have knocked off 3 straight Top 10 finishes in the summer. He should be primed for another top 5 run on Saturday night!
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon was once a scary fantasy pick at Bristol, but that was then and this is now. Earlier this season he finished 3rd, but I think he will have a very hard time backing it up honestly. Gordon have been like watching the New York Knicks. It been so bad you cannot even consider Gordon at his best racetracks. I really don't even need to go into the stats. If you wanna gamble on him, then go right ahead and do it. But I want no part of him personally. At best Gordon will finish inside the top 10. Knowing how his season have gone, he won't even accomplish that!
27-Paul Menard: Menard is a very good fantasy for Bristol. He usually don't run up front, but he have a habit of getting consistent finishes. Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 11.2 average finish, 16.0 average start, 14.4 average running position and 85.4 driver rating. Over the past 7 races at Bristol, Paul have finished 11th or better six times. Including 5 top 10 finishes. The last one coming last summer! In fact, three of those 5 top 10 finishes have came in the past 3 summer races. Good chance he adds another to his strong track record here. What i like about Menard is he have bulit his season on consistency. Early in the season he flexed some muscle, but now he is replying on consistency and that alone can be worth more.
41-Kurt Busch: Kurt isn't my first fantasy pick at Bristol, but he could make a solid option if all the cards get played right. Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 18.0 average finish with 14.0 average running position and 94.6 driver rating. Earlier this season, he had one of the strongest cars but was involved in a incident late in the race. He was still able finish decent at 15th. Busch was once the king at this venue, but like his brother's Kyle, I think their kingdom was in Old Bristol. While he ran decent more often than not, it still seems like neither Busch bro have completely figured out New Bristol. Until then I think there better fantasy options to choose from!
42-Kyle Larson: Kyle Larson's best racetrack is Bristol and that was obvious from his rookie season. However he proven earlier this season that his runs in 2014 was no fluke. In March, he was solid. He started 14th, finished 7th, held 113.1 driver rating and led 90 laps. He had a car just outside of the top 5 for that race but he was on a different pit cycle for awhile if I remember right. Which explains why he had the lead for a good portion of a run. Otherwise he hung around 6th or 7th most of the night. I think Larson will be good for a top 10 finish, but do not be shocked to see the 42 team gamble to win late though.
43-Aric Almirola: Say hello to the best sleeper at Bristol that you never heard of! Believe when I say he was very impressive back in March. He stood out to me in that race because how much time he spent in the top 10 after the midway point. For the final 200 or 225 laps, he ran inside the top 10 or at worst the top 15. However I want to warn you that he have been crazy inconsistent at Bristol too. He have finished 35th or worse in 3 of his past 6 races at Bristol. On the plus side, he have finished 15th or better in the races he was able to finish. Unfortunately 2 of his past 3 races have ended in 35th and 41st in the summer. I love the sleeper potential, but I don't know if I could pull the trigger on raceday.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Bristol been a tough place for Johnson. He either been hit or miss for the most part. Earlier this season he finished 2nd , but didn't really ever contend for the win until late in the event. Over his past 5 races here, he have compiled 16.6 average finish, 14.2 average start, 15.0 average running position and 87.6 driver rating. From career point of view, he have one win that came in 2010. Just before the repave, Johnson was arguably one of the best drivers in the series at this track. However he is not one of the drivers who have found success on New Bristol. Even though he finished 2nd and 4th in his previous two starts. I don't hate him though as a fantasy pick. However I think there are better track for him ahead in the chase.
78-Martin Truex Jr: Bristol have been a terrible track for Martin over the past few seasons! Earlier this season he finished 29th and never looked any good to be honest. He probably had about a top 15 car for that event before getting trapped several laps down. This have been a very bad track for him over the past 4 races. In that span, he have finished 29th, 20th, 36th and 35th. However he was acutally pretty good before the they re-did the track in 2012. Truex have showed a lot of speed lately, so it I expect him to show up with a solid car. Weather he can keep his car on the lead lap is questionable. For now I would keep him on my radar and temper my standards.
88-Dale JR: Dale Jr is coming off a disappointing 10th-place finish at Michigan. Believe it or not, Hendrick MotorSports highest finisher over the past races have been 10th. This organization is in a major slump and personally I think it goes beyond just lacking speed. Something is just not clicking right now with those guys. We have seen Hendrick fall behind in the past, but not like this. I like Dale as a fantasy pick, but I think there better choices out there. In 15 career starts (since joining Hendrick), he have only 5 top 10 finishes. With his best effort coming in his debut in 2008. Earlier this season he finished 16th after going one lap down! I would expect a top 10 to top 15 from Dale this week.
***All stats are from DriverAverages.com & FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans
I was not impressed by the high-drag package at Michigan and quite frankly I doubt if we see it ever again. Honestly i doubt any of the drivers want to see this package back next season. Heck Matt Kenseth probably would not even be in favor of it and he absolutely dominated on Sunday. On the plus side we have an exciting race on tap on Saturday night at Bristol. This half-mile short track have quickly become one of the most unpredictable tracks on the schedule. I think a lot of this is due to how terrible the repave went few years ago.Just not a fan how the track is set up now, but that just me though.
1-Jamie Mac: JMac have not impressed me in a few weeks and I am starting to wonder if he peaked too soon this season. It been awhile since he have shown top 10 potential, but I believe he could be a great fantasy pick at Bristol. He seems to be more effective on the shorter racetracks for some reason. Earlier this season he finished 14th, but he easily had an top 10 car in that race. In fact he was running around 5th before getting into the wall. Luckily for him the damage was minor and he was able to rebound for an top 15 finish. Last season he was very strong at Bristol. He finished 8th and 38th. He had top 5 cars in both races, but he did not get the results he wanted. Last Spring, he was running in 4th but he was involved in the Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski wreck with less than 30 laps to go. Last summer, Jamie was dominant after the halfway point. He led 148 laps, but a caution with under 100 to go sealed his fate. He restarted in the wrong lane and never really recovered. He eventually settled for a top 10 finish. Over the past 5 races at Bristol, he have compiled 17.8 average finish with 11.4 average running position and 91.1 driver rating. In those 5 races, he have finished 14th or better three times. Including 2 of the past 3 races.
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselwoski was pretty good at Michigan, but it was only good enough for an top 10 finish. I would expect him to be a contender at Bristol this Saturday though. Keselowski have won twice at this venue, but his last win came in 2012. Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 16.8 average finish with 15.6 average running position and 88.4 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 35th after wrecking into teammate Joey Logano. He eventually finished around 20 laps down to the leaders. Last summer he finished 2nd to teammate Logano. In that race he led 46 laps, held the 2nd-best driver rating and average running position. Last spring he finished 14th but he was involved in a wreck with Kevin Harvick. There was only few laps to go, so he basically limped to the finish-line.
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon is coming off his best race of the season and will look to keep it going. I been very impressed by him. Hard to ignore that newly appointed Crew Chief Slugger have a lot to do with it. Bristol is a good place to employ Dillon at in my opinion. He have done anything special so far here, but he been pretty consistent with finishes of 10th and 11th in his first 3 career starts. Earlier this season he finished 10th. However he was running near the top 5 before pitting for fuel with only a few laps to go. Luckily there was only 11 or 12 cars left on the lead lap, so he was able to still finish very well. For that event, he started 12th , finished 10th, held 9.0 average running position and 97.3 driver rating. His average running position was good enough for 5th-best and his driver rating was good enough for 9th-best.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick have dominated Bristol over the past three races, yet he have failed to find the finishes though. Over his last 3 races at Bristol, he have compiled 29.3 average finish with 9.7 average running position and 109.1 driver rating. Earlier this season, he was simply head and shoulders better than everyone else. Nobody could really stay with him, not even Matt Kenseth who eventually went to victory lane. He led 184 laps, posted an impressive 111.9 driver rating (even with finishing 40+ laps down). His best finish at this track is 11th from last summer. In that event, he was pretty strong early but after wrecking Denny Hamlin. His car was never the same in my opinion. He was pretty solid, but that about it. Even though Harvick posted a 116-driver rating for that event. Last spring he was pretty much a top 5 driver all night long, but something broke on his car which caused him to slam the wall. In the process he took out few other contenders. Harvick eventually finished 38th when it was all said and done. You an rely on Kevin Harvick to be a very strong fantasy pick. He is my early pick to win. Yeah I know I say that every week. He will eventually win another race.
5-Kasey Kahne: A good finish for Kasey Kahne nowadays seems to be 15th and that exactly where he finished at Michigan. But to be completely honestly I wasn't very impressed by his overall performance. Unfortunately that is only one of two top 15 finishes over his past 9 races. That is no typo folks either! He started off the season pretty consistent, but now it pretty much a 50-50 chance he finishes outside of the top 20. Even after Bowyer having a bad day, I believe he will have to win to make the chase. Over the past 5 Bristol races, he have compiled 16.6 average finish with 10.2 average running position and 102.6 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 37th after being wrecked by Tony Stewart I believe. In that race, Kahne was pretty good I guess. However I would not write a story about it though. He had a top 10 car, but that was about it. Truthfully Kasey may get a little oversold from a fantasy point of view at Bristol. I mean sure he is a former winner, but people make him out to be a heavy-threat. Outside of a few races, he been pretty hit or miss. In 23 career races, he have 5 top 5 finishes and only 10 top 10 finishes. Since joining HMS, he have finished 35th or worse three times. Of course the only 4 races have ended in the top 10. Like I said hit or miss mostly.
10-Danica Patrick: Patrick is coming off a disappointing finish at Michigan, but she is coming to a track where she have found success at earlier this season. Believe it or not, Patrick finished 9th back in March. She was much worse than that in the race, but half the field was a lap down or in the garage. Got to give her credit for keeping the car in one piece. In that race, she started 26th, finished 9th, held a 20.0 average running position and 72.9 driver rating. From career point of view, she only have two top 20 finishes in 5 races. Outside of 9th (this past spring) and 18th (last spring), she have finished 26th or worse in every single start. I am not very big on Danica this weekend to be honest. Danica and short tracks aren't a great combo. Then again Bristol is not a great combo with any driver it seems lately.
11-Denny Hamlin: Since Denny Hamlin last win (Martinsville), his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates have won a combined 8 times! He must feel pretty left out, but it not surprising since he been the most inconsistent driver in that stable. He runs well each week, but the finishes just aren't there. If he wants to contend for a championship, then that will have to change. Over the past 5 races at Bristol, he have compiled 24.6 average finish with 16.4 average running position and 103.7 driver rating. He obviously have ran well in the past, but like this season he cannot find the finishes. Earlier this season, he finished 26th after being involved in a late race incident. He finished the race six laps down! Last summer he was battling for the lead with Kevin Harvick and he got turned. In the process he took out Dale Jr (Sorry Junior Nation - Don't hurt me for reminding you). Last spring, he started on the pole and finished 6th. He had a top 10 car in that race and that exactly where he finished. Believe it or not, Hamlin have finished 23rd or worse in 7 of the past 10 races at Bristol. He will be fast, but history is not on his side to finish on the lead lap!
18-Kyle Busch: Kyle Busch had a disappointing race at Michigan. Yes finishing 11th at one of his racetracks is considered bad. But that just shows how great Kyle Busch been since returning from a major injury. We now go to one of his favorite racetracks on the schedule. Busch is a 5-time winner at this venue, but all of those wins came at New Bristol. Over the past 4 races at Bristol, he have compiled 19.5 average finish with 16.5 average running position and 90.6 drive rating. Busch missed the first Bristol race. Last summer, he finished 36th. It was a very long night for Busch! I believe he got busted for speeding and then his night went to hell when he got upset with then Crew Chief Dave Rogers! At one point, Rogers told him to come to pit road and park the car. He added he was sick of his whining. Busch finished off his night by wrecking into Aric Almirola. While there isn't a lot great things to say about Kyle lately here, he have finished 11th or better in three of the past five races at Bristol. I believe he will show up with a very fast car and contend for the race win. Don't overlook him as he have proven in the past how good he is at this venue. It only matter of time before Kyle figures out this place again and when he does you will be sorry.
19-Carl Edwards: Edwards is onto something after another top 10 finish. Since Kentucky, only once in that span have Edwards finished outside the top 10. Bristol is a good track to use Edwards at! Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 17.8 average finish with 11.6 average running position and 98.4 driver rating. He only have two top 10 in his past 6 races at Bristol though. That's very concerning, but he was very strong here earlier this season. However he was involved in a incident with under 100 laps to go. Which eventually led to a 24th-place finish. Last season at RFR, he had finishes of 7th and 1st. Side note, he stayed out late last spring to win. In 2013, he had finishes of 39th and 18th. In the summer race, he arguably had the car to beat and led 119 laps until his engine let go with about 115 laps to go! In the spring race, he struggled the entire weekend and finished 18th.
20-Matt Kenseth: Let me make this simple and tell you to add Matt Kenseth to your fantasy team right now. Why? Well he have won two of the past three Sprint Cup Series races and now is at one of his best racetracks! Plus he won here earlier this season back in March. Over the past 5 races at Bristol, he have compiled 10.6 average finish (3rd-best in the series), 7.4 average start (3rd-best in the series), 508 laps led (Most in the series) , 202 fast laps (2nd most in the series), 7.2 average running position (Series-best) and 120.1 driver rating (Series-best). Matt Kenseth been so good over the past 5 races here have led over 200 more laps than Kevin Harvick who have led the 2nd-most laps. That is no easy feat, folks!
22-Joey Logano: Logano is coming off a top 10 run at Michigan, but you can expect more than that from him at Bristol this weekend though. Over the past 5 races at this place, he have compiled 16.6 average finish, 6.2 average start, 18.4 average running position and 91.1 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 40th after wrecking with teammate Brad Keselowski just before caution came out for rain. But that cannot be too surprising since he have finished 16th in every spring Bristol race. The summer time is the right time for Joey Logano at Bristol. His numbers been very good compared to the spring. Over the past 5 summer races (dating back to 2010 with Gibbs), he have finished 18th or better in every single start. Since Joining Penske, he been just unbelievable! He have finished 1st and 5th in his lone two summer starts with Penske. Overall he have knocked off 3 straight Top 10 finishes in the summer. He should be primed for another top 5 run on Saturday night!
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon was once a scary fantasy pick at Bristol, but that was then and this is now. Earlier this season he finished 3rd, but I think he will have a very hard time backing it up honestly. Gordon have been like watching the New York Knicks. It been so bad you cannot even consider Gordon at his best racetracks. I really don't even need to go into the stats. If you wanna gamble on him, then go right ahead and do it. But I want no part of him personally. At best Gordon will finish inside the top 10. Knowing how his season have gone, he won't even accomplish that!
27-Paul Menard: Menard is a very good fantasy for Bristol. He usually don't run up front, but he have a habit of getting consistent finishes. Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 11.2 average finish, 16.0 average start, 14.4 average running position and 85.4 driver rating. Over the past 7 races at Bristol, Paul have finished 11th or better six times. Including 5 top 10 finishes. The last one coming last summer! In fact, three of those 5 top 10 finishes have came in the past 3 summer races. Good chance he adds another to his strong track record here. What i like about Menard is he have bulit his season on consistency. Early in the season he flexed some muscle, but now he is replying on consistency and that alone can be worth more.
41-Kurt Busch: Kurt isn't my first fantasy pick at Bristol, but he could make a solid option if all the cards get played right. Over the past 5 races here, he have compiled 18.0 average finish with 14.0 average running position and 94.6 driver rating. Earlier this season, he had one of the strongest cars but was involved in a incident late in the race. He was still able finish decent at 15th. Busch was once the king at this venue, but like his brother's Kyle, I think their kingdom was in Old Bristol. While he ran decent more often than not, it still seems like neither Busch bro have completely figured out New Bristol. Until then I think there better fantasy options to choose from!
42-Kyle Larson: Kyle Larson's best racetrack is Bristol and that was obvious from his rookie season. However he proven earlier this season that his runs in 2014 was no fluke. In March, he was solid. He started 14th, finished 7th, held 113.1 driver rating and led 90 laps. He had a car just outside of the top 5 for that race but he was on a different pit cycle for awhile if I remember right. Which explains why he had the lead for a good portion of a run. Otherwise he hung around 6th or 7th most of the night. I think Larson will be good for a top 10 finish, but do not be shocked to see the 42 team gamble to win late though.
43-Aric Almirola: Say hello to the best sleeper at Bristol that you never heard of! Believe when I say he was very impressive back in March. He stood out to me in that race because how much time he spent in the top 10 after the midway point. For the final 200 or 225 laps, he ran inside the top 10 or at worst the top 15. However I want to warn you that he have been crazy inconsistent at Bristol too. He have finished 35th or worse in 3 of his past 6 races at Bristol. On the plus side, he have finished 15th or better in the races he was able to finish. Unfortunately 2 of his past 3 races have ended in 35th and 41st in the summer. I love the sleeper potential, but I don't know if I could pull the trigger on raceday.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Bristol been a tough place for Johnson. He either been hit or miss for the most part. Earlier this season he finished 2nd , but didn't really ever contend for the win until late in the event. Over his past 5 races here, he have compiled 16.6 average finish, 14.2 average start, 15.0 average running position and 87.6 driver rating. From career point of view, he have one win that came in 2010. Just before the repave, Johnson was arguably one of the best drivers in the series at this track. However he is not one of the drivers who have found success on New Bristol. Even though he finished 2nd and 4th in his previous two starts. I don't hate him though as a fantasy pick. However I think there are better track for him ahead in the chase.
78-Martin Truex Jr: Bristol have been a terrible track for Martin over the past few seasons! Earlier this season he finished 29th and never looked any good to be honest. He probably had about a top 15 car for that event before getting trapped several laps down. This have been a very bad track for him over the past 4 races. In that span, he have finished 29th, 20th, 36th and 35th. However he was acutally pretty good before the they re-did the track in 2012. Truex have showed a lot of speed lately, so it I expect him to show up with a solid car. Weather he can keep his car on the lead lap is questionable. For now I would keep him on my radar and temper my standards.
88-Dale JR: Dale Jr is coming off a disappointing 10th-place finish at Michigan. Believe it or not, Hendrick MotorSports highest finisher over the past races have been 10th. This organization is in a major slump and personally I think it goes beyond just lacking speed. Something is just not clicking right now with those guys. We have seen Hendrick fall behind in the past, but not like this. I like Dale as a fantasy pick, but I think there better choices out there. In 15 career starts (since joining Hendrick), he have only 5 top 10 finishes. With his best effort coming in his debut in 2008. Earlier this season he finished 16th after going one lap down! I would expect a top 10 to top 15 from Dale this week.
***All stats are from DriverAverages.com & FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans
