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We are headed to Michigan this weekend! Last time we visited here we saw rain dominate the day and ending with Kurt Busch stealing a win after Kevin Harvick had problems. The key to successfully selecting a fantasy team at Michigan will be to look at results from June's race, 2015 high-speed intermediate track data and track history. With all of that information, we should be able to easily select a solid lineup. However I would expect fuel mileage to be a heavy factor on Sunday. So make sure to mix a few nice sleepers into your fantasy lineups, if possible.
1-Jamie Mac: JMac is having a great season, but he starting to show signs of inconsistency in his finishes. Over his past 4 starts (dating back to New Hampshire), he have finished outside of the top 25 twice. However both times it was due to bad luck. Earlier this season, he finished 7th at Michigan. In fact he finished 14th and 12th last season here, so JMac is starting to show some reliability at this racetrack. Honestly I would probably expect another top 15 run and finish from JMac on Sunday. On high-speed Intermediate racetracks this season (8 races), he have compiled 16.4 average finish, 14.0 average start, 17.1 average running position and 79.3 driver rating. Little misleading since JMac got wrecked early in the season at Atlanta and finished 40th. Minus Atlanta race, JMac would have an 13.0 average instead of an 16.4. An top 15 finish would be more than respectable, especially in deeper fantasy formats.
2-Brad Keselowski: Honestly I was expecting more out of Keselowski at Watkins Glenn, but I guess he did pretty good. I guess I am little bitter since I had higher hopes for him. Anyhow Michigan is a very good place to unload him though. I think Keselowski is one of the most consistent drivers in the series here. Earlier this season he finished 8th but I don't he was that good. However both Penske cars are now showing more speed than they did then. Over his past 4 starts at Michigan, BK have compiled 7.3 average finish with 6.5 average running position and 110.5 driver rating. In that 4 race span, he have finished 8th or better in straight races. To back up his strong Michigan record, BK have been a stud on the high-speed intermediate racetracks this season. In 8 races, he have put together 6.0 average finish (2nd-best) with 7.6 average running position and 110.5 driver rating. However he have only scored two top 5 finishes. He should be least good for a top 10 finish on Sunday.
3-Austin Dillon: I consider this his favorite racetrack. I am almost certain he have said this was one of his favorite racetracks. If that so, then you should be all over this kinda of fantasy value. Dillon have ran very well here in the past. Even though the results don't show it. Over his past 3 starts these are his numbers: 24.0 average , 11.0 average start, 14.7 average running position and 75.8 driver rating. The one thing that should jump off the page is his average running position of 14.7. He was very strong earlier this season here and probably had close to a top 10 car, but faded late in the event. For some reason, Dillon seems to perform well here, but end up falling down the board in the closing laps.
4-Kevin Harvick: Kevin Harvick is probably a must-have fantasy pick this week in my opinion. He had one of the best cars in the past three races at Michigan and have been denied of victory each time. Over the past 3 races here, Harvick have compiled 11.0 average finish, 3.0 average start, 5.0 average running position and 124.0 driver rating. The most memorable part of the race in June was watching Kevin Harvick screw over thousand of fantasy lineups after dominating all afternoon. It just a reminder anything and possibly everything can happen in a NSCS race. Harvick was dominated that weekend and should have won. Harvick is way overdue and personally I think he about to snag a win very soon. Don't be shocked if it happened on Sunday. He is my early pick to win!
5-Kasey Kahne: Kahne is now pretty much in a win or miss the chase situation and honestly it been awhile since I seen a Hendrick Motorsports Car look like a Hendrick Motorsports Car. Seriously though. Since Kentucky, name one race where Hendrick have looked like legit race contenders? I will wait. My thoughts exactly. They haven't and Kahne is paying the price big time. To be honest , he also have had a lot of bad luck too. Even though he have a solid track record at Michigan. Over the past 3 races here, he have compiled 12.0 average finish with 13.0 average running position and 90.5 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 15th after starting on the pole. Last season he finished 16th and 5th. He been decent this season on the high-speed intermediate racetracks as well. He have held 15.9 average finish with 11.0 average running position and 115.9 driver rating. Early in the season at Vegas and Atlanta, he looked really strong. However since he haven't flexed much muscle at all on this type track. Cali is the most comparable track to Michigan and he was barely a top 10 driver in that race. If he manages a top 10 finish, I think it would be a win to him.
10-Danica Patrick: This is probably Danica's best racetrack on the schedule. She always seems to run well here. Earlier this season she had a pretty good car I would say. She wasn't a top 10 car but she was top 20 for good portion. She ended up 16th when it was all said and done. Over her past 3 starts, she have finished 16th-18th in every race. In fact , she have 5 career starts and 4 of those races have ended in 18th or better. There a reason why I consider this Danica's best racetrack. Now I don't expect her to be a top-tier option in any fantasy games, but she is definitely in certain formats. Some more than others though.
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin is not a ideal fantasy pick in my opinion. I like him but I think all three of his teammates have a better fantasy outlook. Of course that just my personal opinion. Hamlin have struggled to be a good fantasy option at Michigan. Over his past 8 starts, he only have 3 Top 15 but 2 of those have came over his previous two starts. Earlier this season he finished 11th, however I don't he was even that good. He hung around 15th-ish most of the day I would say. Not real sure since there were cautions for rains throughout the event. Therefore it was tough to get a real read on a driver. Honestly this use to be one of Denny's best tracks but the repave really flip-flopped the field. As much I would like for Hamlin to win this race, I don't he will. On the positive side, I think he will be a top 10 finisher on Sunday.
16-Greg Biffle: I don't have much faith in Biffle after his last outing at Michigan. I mean that was straight down awful. Honestly a lot of people got tricked in believe he could run well there, which is one of the real downsides of making fantasy picks on track history. To make matters worse, Biffle have been pretty bad all season on the high-speed intermediate racetracks. An good day for Biffle is a 15th place finish. That right there should tell you a lot about his fantasy value and potential. I don't even need to go into stats at this point. At the high-speed intermediate racetracks this season, he have compiled 19.3 average finish with 21.0 average running position and 68.8 driver rating. Nuff said!
18-Kyle Busch: I watch Kyle Busch for 10 years and this is the most confident I ever seen him. Why is that important? Kyle is usually at his best when he believes in himself. Big reason why he typically goes on long hot streaks and long cold streaks. Really don't matter what track he goes to right now, he is the man to beat and I expect the same to hold true at Michigan. Earlier this season he was inside the top 5 before he wrecked due to wetness on the track. There really not much data to go with Busch since he only raced 10 times this season of 22 races. I think you have to keep riding Busch while he is hot. I can tell you right now he cannot keep finishing 1st or 2nd all season. Okay he could but I think it unlikely though.
19-Carl Edwards: Edwards had a very slow start to the season and struggled to find consistency, but the resurgence of Kyle Busch have motivated Carl Edwards in my opinion. Since Kentucky (5 races) , Edwards have finished 13th or better in every race. Including 4 Top 10 finishes. I like the new Edwards a lot more than I did earlier in the season to be honest. He was pretty strong earlier this season at Michigan , but faded in the running order late in the event. Honestly I think a lot of that had to do with how the cautions fell in the end. Him having to pit late in the race pretty killed any chance scoring a finish in the top 5 or even top 10. Edwards have an impressive 9.8 average finish over 22 career races with 2 wins and 15 top 10 finishes. Edwards always have performed well at Michigan and with JGR being on their game lately, I think he should be very fast on Sunday.
20-Matt Kenseth: Kenseth should make for a great fantasy option this week. After winning at Pocono, he goes out and finishes in the top 5 at Glenn. From career standpoint this is one of Kenseth's worst tracks on the schedule. For him to go out and finish in the top 5 in back-to-back races speak volumes. Plan and simple JGR is on it. Earlier this season he finished 4th. In my personal opinion, I think Kenseth is the mater of Michigan. Look at his career numbers: 32 starts, 10.5 average finish, 17.7 average start, 30 Top 20s and 19 Top 10 finishes. Kenseth and Edwards are in a different class when it comes to consistency at this place. However Kenseth seems to be on a roll lately. I been wait for him to get hot and I think he doing exactly that right now. He have finished 7th or better in his past 5 races (dating back to Kentucky), including 3 Top 5 finishes in that span.
22-Joey Logano: Logano is red-hot! I had a very strong feeling Logano would be tough to beat at Watkins Glenn but no idea he would pull off the win though. Only makes sense, after being robbed at Pocono. I like him a lot at Michigan. This is a very good track for Joey since joining Penske. Over his past 3 starts, he have compiled 5.7 average finish with 7.7 average running position and 115.5 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 5th. From a overall performance vantage point, he had a worst race here with Penske. That says a lot that he could still finish inside the top 5. He probably had about a top 10 car for that race though. Last season he was very strong. He had finishes of 3rd and 9th. He should have won last August but faded to 3rd in the end. In that race he led career-high 86 laps. He seems to do his best work in the second race at Michigan when looking at his numbers though. He have finishes of 1st and 3rd over his first two seasons with Penske.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon is having a terrible season and him finishing poorly at Watkins Glenn didn't surprise me one bit. In fact I was pretty much expecting it. He won this race last season but I doubt he repeats though. Gordon just not having a good season and it goes back to the woes of Hendrick lately. They are clearly behind with this package. Not sure why though. At this rate, Gordon may not make the chase. He needs consistency top 10 or even better top 5 finishes. However Michigan have not been a kind place to Jeff Gordon lately. Outside of his win last season, he have a pretty questionable track record. Gordon have finished 17th or worse in 6 of his past 10 races at this track. He was pretty fast earlier this season but had some problems in the middle of the race that cost him a solid day. That been Gordon season though. Big reason why I don't trust him nor will I try to convince people to pick him. If you think he will finish well, then be my guess and use him.
27-Paul Menard: I am sure Garry Briggs is already circling Paul Menard's name as his favorite fantasy sleeper pick this week (Him and Paul have a thing). I really like him this week. This is his Paul's best racetrack. Menard have really have became a top tier fantasy pick since the repave here. Since joining RCR (9 races ago), Menard have strung together 7 Top 14 finishes. Including 6 top 10 finishes. Yeah he pretty good. In fact, Menard have finished inside the top 8 in 4 straight races at Michigan. I am not willing to say he a top 10 fantasy pick right now, but I think he is easily top 15 material. Even though he has top 10 upside with his latest track history.
41-Kurt Busch: Kurt Busch is continuing to have a great season but he is being overshadowed by teammate Kevin Harvick and brother Kyle Busch. Nevertheless it is true. Believe it or not, he finished 5th at Watkins Glenn after being a non-factor most of the day. He won earlier this season but I don't he can repeat that though. He didn't have the best car but he did have the right strategy. That what it comes down to at tracks like Michigan and Pocono. Looking at his stats, Michigan is not a great track for Busch. Over his past 12 starts, he have only 3 top 10 finishes. However they all ended in 3rd or better. Also he have 5 top 15 finishes in 12 race span. The bad news? He have finished 30th or worse in 6 of those 12 races. Yeah he pretty much boom or bust. He been strong this season on the high-speed intermediate racetracks though. He have compiled 7.7 average finish with 7.3 average running position and 113.0 driver rating. He won at Cali and Michigan so far this season.
42-Kyle Larson: Larson is putting together a pretty nice season. Sure it not as good it was last season but CGR is obviously missing something they had last season. So cannot expect Larson to contend for win like last season. However he almost stole a win earlier this season at Michigan. If only the rain would have came a few laps sooner. Larson actually been a strong performance on this type track all season long. On high-speed intermediate this season, but the finishes just haven't always been there. As his 12.7 average running position indicates. I think Larson is good for an finish close to the top 10 but I would put my money on top 15 for now.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson had a ugly day at Watkins Glenn but he still came home with a top 10 finish. Not bad considering HMS isn't performing as great as they were earlier this season. To be honest I am not that high on Johnson this week. Honestly I haven't been high on any of the HMS drivers in several weeks now. Michigan isn't a good track for him either. Johnson went to victory lane in 2013 but that been one of his few good results. In 27 career starts, Johnson have finished in the top 10 in less than half of his starts (11). Johnson is more of a teen-ish driver here than front runner. He struggled all weekend back in June and finished 19th. If I remember right someone got into Johnson before the first caution. That made Johnson's day pretty uncomfortable. Overall there better places to use Johnson!
78-Martin Truex Jr: Truex Jr just cannot catch a break, can he? Running top 5 at Pocono and he runs out of fuel. He is running top 5 at Watkins Glenn and he have a tire goes down. That right there is typical Truex luck. We saw it all season in 2014. However he is now showing more speed on a weekly basis. I like him a lot this week, but question is he can finish? Earlier this season he finished inside the top 5 and had one of the strongest cars in that race. Not sure what else to say about Truex.
88-Dale Jr: Dale Jr at one time was considered one of the best drivers at Michigan. I think that still true but I think people have forgotten how good Dale is here. He reminded me of that in June when he finished inside the top 5. In fact he have finished inside the top 5 in 4 of the past 7 races at Michigan. Actually have finished 7th or better in 5 of the past 7 races here. He also have been one of the strongest drivers on the high-speed intermediate tracks this season. He have compiled 5.6 average finish with 9.3 average running position and 105.2 driver rating. If you want a safe fantasy pick then you have found your man I think.
****All Stats are from DriverAverages.com and FantasyRacingCheat.com
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans
We are headed to Michigan this weekend! Last time we visited here we saw rain dominate the day and ending with Kurt Busch stealing a win after Kevin Harvick had problems. The key to successfully selecting a fantasy team at Michigan will be to look at results from June's race, 2015 high-speed intermediate track data and track history. With all of that information, we should be able to easily select a solid lineup. However I would expect fuel mileage to be a heavy factor on Sunday. So make sure to mix a few nice sleepers into your fantasy lineups, if possible.
1-Jamie Mac: JMac is having a great season, but he starting to show signs of inconsistency in his finishes. Over his past 4 starts (dating back to New Hampshire), he have finished outside of the top 25 twice. However both times it was due to bad luck. Earlier this season, he finished 7th at Michigan. In fact he finished 14th and 12th last season here, so JMac is starting to show some reliability at this racetrack. Honestly I would probably expect another top 15 run and finish from JMac on Sunday. On high-speed Intermediate racetracks this season (8 races), he have compiled 16.4 average finish, 14.0 average start, 17.1 average running position and 79.3 driver rating. Little misleading since JMac got wrecked early in the season at Atlanta and finished 40th. Minus Atlanta race, JMac would have an 13.0 average instead of an 16.4. An top 15 finish would be more than respectable, especially in deeper fantasy formats.
2-Brad Keselowski: Honestly I was expecting more out of Keselowski at Watkins Glenn, but I guess he did pretty good. I guess I am little bitter since I had higher hopes for him. Anyhow Michigan is a very good place to unload him though. I think Keselowski is one of the most consistent drivers in the series here. Earlier this season he finished 8th but I don't he was that good. However both Penske cars are now showing more speed than they did then. Over his past 4 starts at Michigan, BK have compiled 7.3 average finish with 6.5 average running position and 110.5 driver rating. In that 4 race span, he have finished 8th or better in straight races. To back up his strong Michigan record, BK have been a stud on the high-speed intermediate racetracks this season. In 8 races, he have put together 6.0 average finish (2nd-best) with 7.6 average running position and 110.5 driver rating. However he have only scored two top 5 finishes. He should be least good for a top 10 finish on Sunday.
3-Austin Dillon: I consider this his favorite racetrack. I am almost certain he have said this was one of his favorite racetracks. If that so, then you should be all over this kinda of fantasy value. Dillon have ran very well here in the past. Even though the results don't show it. Over his past 3 starts these are his numbers: 24.0 average , 11.0 average start, 14.7 average running position and 75.8 driver rating. The one thing that should jump off the page is his average running position of 14.7. He was very strong earlier this season here and probably had close to a top 10 car, but faded late in the event. For some reason, Dillon seems to perform well here, but end up falling down the board in the closing laps.
4-Kevin Harvick: Kevin Harvick is probably a must-have fantasy pick this week in my opinion. He had one of the best cars in the past three races at Michigan and have been denied of victory each time. Over the past 3 races here, Harvick have compiled 11.0 average finish, 3.0 average start, 5.0 average running position and 124.0 driver rating. The most memorable part of the race in June was watching Kevin Harvick screw over thousand of fantasy lineups after dominating all afternoon. It just a reminder anything and possibly everything can happen in a NSCS race. Harvick was dominated that weekend and should have won. Harvick is way overdue and personally I think he about to snag a win very soon. Don't be shocked if it happened on Sunday. He is my early pick to win!
5-Kasey Kahne: Kahne is now pretty much in a win or miss the chase situation and honestly it been awhile since I seen a Hendrick Motorsports Car look like a Hendrick Motorsports Car. Seriously though. Since Kentucky, name one race where Hendrick have looked like legit race contenders? I will wait. My thoughts exactly. They haven't and Kahne is paying the price big time. To be honest , he also have had a lot of bad luck too. Even though he have a solid track record at Michigan. Over the past 3 races here, he have compiled 12.0 average finish with 13.0 average running position and 90.5 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 15th after starting on the pole. Last season he finished 16th and 5th. He been decent this season on the high-speed intermediate racetracks as well. He have held 15.9 average finish with 11.0 average running position and 115.9 driver rating. Early in the season at Vegas and Atlanta, he looked really strong. However since he haven't flexed much muscle at all on this type track. Cali is the most comparable track to Michigan and he was barely a top 10 driver in that race. If he manages a top 10 finish, I think it would be a win to him.
10-Danica Patrick: This is probably Danica's best racetrack on the schedule. She always seems to run well here. Earlier this season she had a pretty good car I would say. She wasn't a top 10 car but she was top 20 for good portion. She ended up 16th when it was all said and done. Over her past 3 starts, she have finished 16th-18th in every race. In fact , she have 5 career starts and 4 of those races have ended in 18th or better. There a reason why I consider this Danica's best racetrack. Now I don't expect her to be a top-tier option in any fantasy games, but she is definitely in certain formats. Some more than others though.
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin is not a ideal fantasy pick in my opinion. I like him but I think all three of his teammates have a better fantasy outlook. Of course that just my personal opinion. Hamlin have struggled to be a good fantasy option at Michigan. Over his past 8 starts, he only have 3 Top 15 but 2 of those have came over his previous two starts. Earlier this season he finished 11th, however I don't he was even that good. He hung around 15th-ish most of the day I would say. Not real sure since there were cautions for rains throughout the event. Therefore it was tough to get a real read on a driver. Honestly this use to be one of Denny's best tracks but the repave really flip-flopped the field. As much I would like for Hamlin to win this race, I don't he will. On the positive side, I think he will be a top 10 finisher on Sunday.
16-Greg Biffle: I don't have much faith in Biffle after his last outing at Michigan. I mean that was straight down awful. Honestly a lot of people got tricked in believe he could run well there, which is one of the real downsides of making fantasy picks on track history. To make matters worse, Biffle have been pretty bad all season on the high-speed intermediate racetracks. An good day for Biffle is a 15th place finish. That right there should tell you a lot about his fantasy value and potential. I don't even need to go into stats at this point. At the high-speed intermediate racetracks this season, he have compiled 19.3 average finish with 21.0 average running position and 68.8 driver rating. Nuff said!
18-Kyle Busch: I watch Kyle Busch for 10 years and this is the most confident I ever seen him. Why is that important? Kyle is usually at his best when he believes in himself. Big reason why he typically goes on long hot streaks and long cold streaks. Really don't matter what track he goes to right now, he is the man to beat and I expect the same to hold true at Michigan. Earlier this season he was inside the top 5 before he wrecked due to wetness on the track. There really not much data to go with Busch since he only raced 10 times this season of 22 races. I think you have to keep riding Busch while he is hot. I can tell you right now he cannot keep finishing 1st or 2nd all season. Okay he could but I think it unlikely though.
19-Carl Edwards: Edwards had a very slow start to the season and struggled to find consistency, but the resurgence of Kyle Busch have motivated Carl Edwards in my opinion. Since Kentucky (5 races) , Edwards have finished 13th or better in every race. Including 4 Top 10 finishes. I like the new Edwards a lot more than I did earlier in the season to be honest. He was pretty strong earlier this season at Michigan , but faded in the running order late in the event. Honestly I think a lot of that had to do with how the cautions fell in the end. Him having to pit late in the race pretty killed any chance scoring a finish in the top 5 or even top 10. Edwards have an impressive 9.8 average finish over 22 career races with 2 wins and 15 top 10 finishes. Edwards always have performed well at Michigan and with JGR being on their game lately, I think he should be very fast on Sunday.
20-Matt Kenseth: Kenseth should make for a great fantasy option this week. After winning at Pocono, he goes out and finishes in the top 5 at Glenn. From career standpoint this is one of Kenseth's worst tracks on the schedule. For him to go out and finish in the top 5 in back-to-back races speak volumes. Plan and simple JGR is on it. Earlier this season he finished 4th. In my personal opinion, I think Kenseth is the mater of Michigan. Look at his career numbers: 32 starts, 10.5 average finish, 17.7 average start, 30 Top 20s and 19 Top 10 finishes. Kenseth and Edwards are in a different class when it comes to consistency at this place. However Kenseth seems to be on a roll lately. I been wait for him to get hot and I think he doing exactly that right now. He have finished 7th or better in his past 5 races (dating back to Kentucky), including 3 Top 5 finishes in that span.
22-Joey Logano: Logano is red-hot! I had a very strong feeling Logano would be tough to beat at Watkins Glenn but no idea he would pull off the win though. Only makes sense, after being robbed at Pocono. I like him a lot at Michigan. This is a very good track for Joey since joining Penske. Over his past 3 starts, he have compiled 5.7 average finish with 7.7 average running position and 115.5 driver rating. Earlier this season he finished 5th. From a overall performance vantage point, he had a worst race here with Penske. That says a lot that he could still finish inside the top 5. He probably had about a top 10 car for that race though. Last season he was very strong. He had finishes of 3rd and 9th. He should have won last August but faded to 3rd in the end. In that race he led career-high 86 laps. He seems to do his best work in the second race at Michigan when looking at his numbers though. He have finishes of 1st and 3rd over his first two seasons with Penske.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon is having a terrible season and him finishing poorly at Watkins Glenn didn't surprise me one bit. In fact I was pretty much expecting it. He won this race last season but I doubt he repeats though. Gordon just not having a good season and it goes back to the woes of Hendrick lately. They are clearly behind with this package. Not sure why though. At this rate, Gordon may not make the chase. He needs consistency top 10 or even better top 5 finishes. However Michigan have not been a kind place to Jeff Gordon lately. Outside of his win last season, he have a pretty questionable track record. Gordon have finished 17th or worse in 6 of his past 10 races at this track. He was pretty fast earlier this season but had some problems in the middle of the race that cost him a solid day. That been Gordon season though. Big reason why I don't trust him nor will I try to convince people to pick him. If you think he will finish well, then be my guess and use him.
27-Paul Menard: I am sure Garry Briggs is already circling Paul Menard's name as his favorite fantasy sleeper pick this week (Him and Paul have a thing). I really like him this week. This is his Paul's best racetrack. Menard have really have became a top tier fantasy pick since the repave here. Since joining RCR (9 races ago), Menard have strung together 7 Top 14 finishes. Including 6 top 10 finishes. Yeah he pretty good. In fact, Menard have finished inside the top 8 in 4 straight races at Michigan. I am not willing to say he a top 10 fantasy pick right now, but I think he is easily top 15 material. Even though he has top 10 upside with his latest track history.
41-Kurt Busch: Kurt Busch is continuing to have a great season but he is being overshadowed by teammate Kevin Harvick and brother Kyle Busch. Nevertheless it is true. Believe it or not, he finished 5th at Watkins Glenn after being a non-factor most of the day. He won earlier this season but I don't he can repeat that though. He didn't have the best car but he did have the right strategy. That what it comes down to at tracks like Michigan and Pocono. Looking at his stats, Michigan is not a great track for Busch. Over his past 12 starts, he have only 3 top 10 finishes. However they all ended in 3rd or better. Also he have 5 top 15 finishes in 12 race span. The bad news? He have finished 30th or worse in 6 of those 12 races. Yeah he pretty much boom or bust. He been strong this season on the high-speed intermediate racetracks though. He have compiled 7.7 average finish with 7.3 average running position and 113.0 driver rating. He won at Cali and Michigan so far this season.
42-Kyle Larson: Larson is putting together a pretty nice season. Sure it not as good it was last season but CGR is obviously missing something they had last season. So cannot expect Larson to contend for win like last season. However he almost stole a win earlier this season at Michigan. If only the rain would have came a few laps sooner. Larson actually been a strong performance on this type track all season long. On high-speed intermediate this season, but the finishes just haven't always been there. As his 12.7 average running position indicates. I think Larson is good for an finish close to the top 10 but I would put my money on top 15 for now.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson had a ugly day at Watkins Glenn but he still came home with a top 10 finish. Not bad considering HMS isn't performing as great as they were earlier this season. To be honest I am not that high on Johnson this week. Honestly I haven't been high on any of the HMS drivers in several weeks now. Michigan isn't a good track for him either. Johnson went to victory lane in 2013 but that been one of his few good results. In 27 career starts, Johnson have finished in the top 10 in less than half of his starts (11). Johnson is more of a teen-ish driver here than front runner. He struggled all weekend back in June and finished 19th. If I remember right someone got into Johnson before the first caution. That made Johnson's day pretty uncomfortable. Overall there better places to use Johnson!
78-Martin Truex Jr: Truex Jr just cannot catch a break, can he? Running top 5 at Pocono and he runs out of fuel. He is running top 5 at Watkins Glenn and he have a tire goes down. That right there is typical Truex luck. We saw it all season in 2014. However he is now showing more speed on a weekly basis. I like him a lot this week, but question is he can finish? Earlier this season he finished inside the top 5 and had one of the strongest cars in that race. Not sure what else to say about Truex.
88-Dale Jr: Dale Jr at one time was considered one of the best drivers at Michigan. I think that still true but I think people have forgotten how good Dale is here. He reminded me of that in June when he finished inside the top 5. In fact he have finished inside the top 5 in 4 of the past 7 races at Michigan. Actually have finished 7th or better in 5 of the past 7 races here. He also have been one of the strongest drivers on the high-speed intermediate tracks this season. He have compiled 5.6 average finish with 9.3 average running position and 105.2 driver rating. If you want a safe fantasy pick then you have found your man I think.
****All Stats are from DriverAverages.com and FantasyRacingCheat.com
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans