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We are at Homestead this weekend for the final race of the 2015 season. I love watching the race at Homestead, because how the track is raced. You can use different grooves to get around this place and the surface itself is worn out, which in my opinion makes for better racing. What I am really excited about is this championship battle. 4 drivers with 4 great stories. A ironic figure who have won 4 championship, but none have came since the 2001 season. A single car team with a motivated driver who just want to proves he belongs among the best. A phenomenal comeback story with a driver trying to bring Toyota its first Cup championship. Then there the defending Cup Champion. Four great stories that will undoubtedly make great storylines heading into the offseason. How you not be excited? I am pumped!
Alright let's get started!
A:
1. Joey Logano - Something I learned this season about Logano was that, he is tough to beat when he starts up front. There a very good chance he will lead some laps and contend for least a top 5 finish.I am sure Logano would love to crash this championship party and go to victory lane. I think that exactly what he have on his mind. He have to be bitter that he have one of the fastest cars, but cannot battle for the championship. I know I would be! Logano will roll off from 2nd starting position and enters Sunday's race with a top 5 car in my opinion. A lot of people may avoid Logano because he isn't battling for the championship and think he have nothing to race for. I call bullshit! He have everything to race for. He doesn't give a damn about the four drivers racing for the championship. Just like every other driver outside of those four.
My Overall Ranking:1st
2. Kevin Harvick - Harvick will roll off from the 13th starting position on Sunday. He is still the odds-on favorite in my eyes though. He have a fast car and should make his way through the field too. He said his car got tight in qualifying and that why the 4 car didn't do so well on Friday night. In the limited practice time on Saturday, he showed off his speed to the field in the first session. He struggled in the final practice session on Saturday. I am not worried though. We have seen this out of the 4 team before. Usually they figure out before the checkers wave. He also have a stout track record. In 14 career starts, he have a 7.5 average finish with 2 wins. This is considered his best racetrack from a career point of view. He won this race last season. Harvick enters Sunday's race with back-to-back Top 3 finishes.
My Overall Ranking: 2nd
3. Kyle Busch - Kyle Busch have been fast all weekend long and that should continue on Sunday. He will roll off from the 3rd starting position and will be a serious threat to win the race. Busch haven't found a lot of success at this racetrack, but I think this a different driver we are talking about. He have proven throughout the chase that you cannot count him out. Remember when he couldn't finish well at Kansas? Yeah he solved that problem it seems. No reason he cannot overcome Homestead, if he races smart and stay towards the front of the field. Busch enters Sunday's race with 3 straight top 5 finishes which is the most in the series. I think Busch finishes somewhere inside the top 5 and he seems to have some fast teammates starting up inside the top 10. That could be a huge benefit, if they all are able to contain that track position toward end of the race. Just may give him the advantage if it comes down to a few positions on the track. Think Kyle's teammates will make it tough on the other three drivers to make passes? I do.
My Overall Ranking: 3rd
4. Jeff Gordon -I am always tough on Jeff Gordon and it because I have always expected great things from Jeff Gordon. Crazy that this will be his final race of his Sprint Cup career as a full-time driver. He is everything that is right with Nascar. Question is will he win the championship on Sunday? I don't know and for many people it would be a letdown, if he failed to win it. He wasn't bad in practice and probably had a top 10 car, but he usually run better than he practices though. So probably have top 5 potential for Sunday's race. He posted the fastest lap among the chase drivers. So why is he ranked behind Busch and Harvick? Simply because I trust them more than Gordon from a fantasy vantage point. They have proven to me they are more capable of running and finishing up front than Gordon. Of course everyone have a opinion and probably could debate that topic. At end of the day, I say the four championship contenders will finish near one of another.
My Overall Ranking: 4th
5. Dale Jr - I thought Dale Jr looked really good all weekend long and probably should contend for least a top 10 finish, if not a top 5 run when the checkers wave. I really like what the 88 brings to the table from a fantasy vantage point. He should be a great off-sequence option for those of you who like to gamble. I have high hopes for him and the 88 team. He was bad fast in final practice and starting near the front.
My Overall Ranking: 6th
Other Options - Denny Hamlin (7th), Matt Kenseth (9th), Brad Keselowski (11th), Jimmie Johnson (12th) and Ryan Newman (13th)
B:
1. Martin Truex Jr - Truex Jr enters Homestead as the underdog among the 4 drivers, but overall he have stood with his fellow competitors. He showed good amount of speed in the final practice session on Saturday. Add in this is his best racetrack on the schedule, he should be a popular fantasy pick this weekend in almost every format. The fact that he is still racing for the championship probably gives him a bit of a boost. Not that he needed it finish well at this track. I have heard him say this is one of his favorite racetracks and I usually take a man word. I like him a lot on Sunday and I would not be shocked if he won it all either. He qualified inside the top 10 and had top 10 speed in practice. I have him across the line around 5th place. I think he will finish 1-2 position of that mark though. Give or take that is.
My Overall Ranking: 5th
2. Carl Edwards - Edwards enters Sunday's race not battling for the championship, but he have a fast car based off what I have seen this weekend. He consistently been near top of the speed charts and could end the weekend like that as well. I feel like he will try to assist teammate Kyle Busch in the process. That might hurt him just a bit. I am not too concerned about it though. I am sure he will try to help Kyle, but if he is a position to win, I am sure he won't just pull over him though. Edwards will roll off from the 7th starting position and should be considered a lock for a top 10 finish pretty much. All of the JGR cars have plenty of speed it seems. That's a great sign, if you are looking to find a driver a bit off the radar this weekend. I think he finishes somewhere inside the top 10 when the checkers waves.
My Overall Ranking: 8th
3. Kurt Busch - I am not as high on Busch as I was last week, I stated that in the preview earlier this week. He been inconsistent during the chase and been inconsistent during the entire season as well. I don't think I have seen a driver take more top 5 cars and turn them into well..not top 5 finishes, than Kurt Busch have. He always seem to be able to drive through the field into the top 5. Then late in the race comes and he seems to fade down the leaderboard. His track record does not make me feel any better, either. Only twice since 2006 have he finished better than 8th at this racetrack. He have finished 9th and 11th in two of the past three races though. I think he will finish around there once again on Sunday.
My Overall Ranking: 10th
4. Kyle Larson - Larson have shown speed all weekend, but will have to start from mid-pack. I don't think that will be a problem though. He said this is his favorite racetrack and I believe him without doubt. We have seen him glue that car to the top, just the way he likes it. I don't think there a driver who loves the top like Kyle Larson. I am looking forward to watching him drive through field. On the downside, Larson have finished 19th or worse in 6 straight races headed into Sunday's race. So he is a risk vs reward type fantasy play. I think he finishes least in the top 15, if everything goes according to plan.
My Overall Ranking: 14th
5. Kasey Kahne - Kahne have a fast car and should contend for a least top 10 finish. He didn't have a great car in qualifying, because they were not focused on qualifying much in Friday's lone practice session. The results shown in a 18th qualifying effort. He should be able to drive through the field pretty easily. Kahne is clearly a inconsistent driver, but I do believe there some value there with Kahne. I wouldn't expect anything beyond a top 10 finish though. If you are expecting that, then I would be looking elsewhere probably.
My Overall Ranking: 15th
Other Options - Aric Almirola (16th), Jamie Mac (17th), Austin Dillon (18th) and Clint Bowyer (19th)
C:
1. Ryan Blaney - Blaney will start from inside the top 10 in Sunday's race. I don't think he will finish there, but I do think he can finish somewhere in the mid to high teen though. Earlier this week, it was announced that Blaney would be driving full-time next season. This team might be a little motivated to get a extra good run in than usual. I have very high hopes for him and this 21 team. I have him across the line in 20th, but that the lowest I expect him to finished. Given everything goes according to plan. My concern is him getting into the wall or blowing another engine. Anything possible I guess.
My Overall Ranking: 20th
2. Ty Dillon - Dillon another young driver who is entered in this race. Dillon will drive the 33 car (RCR powered) in Sunday's race. He wasn't bad in practice, but he wasn't anything special though. Based off of practice, he have a top 25 car and will start exactly from the 25th starting position. Ty should be good for a top 25 finish, but if some drivers have trouble. Then his upside could be top 20.
My Overall Ranking: 23rd
3. Danica Patrick - I thought about listing David Ragan, but then I remembered how bad of a weekend he is having. So Danica get the final spot in my overall rankings. She haven't impressed, but if she can keep it together then she should be good for a decent finish. Not much else to say about Patrick really. She is inconsistent, but she will often surprise us with solid finish.
My Overall Ranking: 25th
Twitter - @JeffNathans
We are at Homestead this weekend for the final race of the 2015 season. I love watching the race at Homestead, because how the track is raced. You can use different grooves to get around this place and the surface itself is worn out, which in my opinion makes for better racing. What I am really excited about is this championship battle. 4 drivers with 4 great stories. A ironic figure who have won 4 championship, but none have came since the 2001 season. A single car team with a motivated driver who just want to proves he belongs among the best. A phenomenal comeback story with a driver trying to bring Toyota its first Cup championship. Then there the defending Cup Champion. Four great stories that will undoubtedly make great storylines heading into the offseason. How you not be excited? I am pumped!
Alright let's get started!
A:
1. Joey Logano - Something I learned this season about Logano was that, he is tough to beat when he starts up front. There a very good chance he will lead some laps and contend for least a top 5 finish.I am sure Logano would love to crash this championship party and go to victory lane. I think that exactly what he have on his mind. He have to be bitter that he have one of the fastest cars, but cannot battle for the championship. I know I would be! Logano will roll off from 2nd starting position and enters Sunday's race with a top 5 car in my opinion. A lot of people may avoid Logano because he isn't battling for the championship and think he have nothing to race for. I call bullshit! He have everything to race for. He doesn't give a damn about the four drivers racing for the championship. Just like every other driver outside of those four.
My Overall Ranking:1st
2. Kevin Harvick - Harvick will roll off from the 13th starting position on Sunday. He is still the odds-on favorite in my eyes though. He have a fast car and should make his way through the field too. He said his car got tight in qualifying and that why the 4 car didn't do so well on Friday night. In the limited practice time on Saturday, he showed off his speed to the field in the first session. He struggled in the final practice session on Saturday. I am not worried though. We have seen this out of the 4 team before. Usually they figure out before the checkers wave. He also have a stout track record. In 14 career starts, he have a 7.5 average finish with 2 wins. This is considered his best racetrack from a career point of view. He won this race last season. Harvick enters Sunday's race with back-to-back Top 3 finishes.
My Overall Ranking: 2nd
3. Kyle Busch - Kyle Busch have been fast all weekend long and that should continue on Sunday. He will roll off from the 3rd starting position and will be a serious threat to win the race. Busch haven't found a lot of success at this racetrack, but I think this a different driver we are talking about. He have proven throughout the chase that you cannot count him out. Remember when he couldn't finish well at Kansas? Yeah he solved that problem it seems. No reason he cannot overcome Homestead, if he races smart and stay towards the front of the field. Busch enters Sunday's race with 3 straight top 5 finishes which is the most in the series. I think Busch finishes somewhere inside the top 5 and he seems to have some fast teammates starting up inside the top 10. That could be a huge benefit, if they all are able to contain that track position toward end of the race. Just may give him the advantage if it comes down to a few positions on the track. Think Kyle's teammates will make it tough on the other three drivers to make passes? I do.
My Overall Ranking: 3rd
4. Jeff Gordon -I am always tough on Jeff Gordon and it because I have always expected great things from Jeff Gordon. Crazy that this will be his final race of his Sprint Cup career as a full-time driver. He is everything that is right with Nascar. Question is will he win the championship on Sunday? I don't know and for many people it would be a letdown, if he failed to win it. He wasn't bad in practice and probably had a top 10 car, but he usually run better than he practices though. So probably have top 5 potential for Sunday's race. He posted the fastest lap among the chase drivers. So why is he ranked behind Busch and Harvick? Simply because I trust them more than Gordon from a fantasy vantage point. They have proven to me they are more capable of running and finishing up front than Gordon. Of course everyone have a opinion and probably could debate that topic. At end of the day, I say the four championship contenders will finish near one of another.
My Overall Ranking: 4th
5. Dale Jr - I thought Dale Jr looked really good all weekend long and probably should contend for least a top 10 finish, if not a top 5 run when the checkers wave. I really like what the 88 brings to the table from a fantasy vantage point. He should be a great off-sequence option for those of you who like to gamble. I have high hopes for him and the 88 team. He was bad fast in final practice and starting near the front.
My Overall Ranking: 6th
Other Options - Denny Hamlin (7th), Matt Kenseth (9th), Brad Keselowski (11th), Jimmie Johnson (12th) and Ryan Newman (13th)
B:
1. Martin Truex Jr - Truex Jr enters Homestead as the underdog among the 4 drivers, but overall he have stood with his fellow competitors. He showed good amount of speed in the final practice session on Saturday. Add in this is his best racetrack on the schedule, he should be a popular fantasy pick this weekend in almost every format. The fact that he is still racing for the championship probably gives him a bit of a boost. Not that he needed it finish well at this track. I have heard him say this is one of his favorite racetracks and I usually take a man word. I like him a lot on Sunday and I would not be shocked if he won it all either. He qualified inside the top 10 and had top 10 speed in practice. I have him across the line around 5th place. I think he will finish 1-2 position of that mark though. Give or take that is.
My Overall Ranking: 5th
2. Carl Edwards - Edwards enters Sunday's race not battling for the championship, but he have a fast car based off what I have seen this weekend. He consistently been near top of the speed charts and could end the weekend like that as well. I feel like he will try to assist teammate Kyle Busch in the process. That might hurt him just a bit. I am not too concerned about it though. I am sure he will try to help Kyle, but if he is a position to win, I am sure he won't just pull over him though. Edwards will roll off from the 7th starting position and should be considered a lock for a top 10 finish pretty much. All of the JGR cars have plenty of speed it seems. That's a great sign, if you are looking to find a driver a bit off the radar this weekend. I think he finishes somewhere inside the top 10 when the checkers waves.
My Overall Ranking: 8th
3. Kurt Busch - I am not as high on Busch as I was last week, I stated that in the preview earlier this week. He been inconsistent during the chase and been inconsistent during the entire season as well. I don't think I have seen a driver take more top 5 cars and turn them into well..not top 5 finishes, than Kurt Busch have. He always seem to be able to drive through the field into the top 5. Then late in the race comes and he seems to fade down the leaderboard. His track record does not make me feel any better, either. Only twice since 2006 have he finished better than 8th at this racetrack. He have finished 9th and 11th in two of the past three races though. I think he will finish around there once again on Sunday.
My Overall Ranking: 10th
4. Kyle Larson - Larson have shown speed all weekend, but will have to start from mid-pack. I don't think that will be a problem though. He said this is his favorite racetrack and I believe him without doubt. We have seen him glue that car to the top, just the way he likes it. I don't think there a driver who loves the top like Kyle Larson. I am looking forward to watching him drive through field. On the downside, Larson have finished 19th or worse in 6 straight races headed into Sunday's race. So he is a risk vs reward type fantasy play. I think he finishes least in the top 15, if everything goes according to plan.
My Overall Ranking: 14th
5. Kasey Kahne - Kahne have a fast car and should contend for a least top 10 finish. He didn't have a great car in qualifying, because they were not focused on qualifying much in Friday's lone practice session. The results shown in a 18th qualifying effort. He should be able to drive through the field pretty easily. Kahne is clearly a inconsistent driver, but I do believe there some value there with Kahne. I wouldn't expect anything beyond a top 10 finish though. If you are expecting that, then I would be looking elsewhere probably.
My Overall Ranking: 15th
Other Options - Aric Almirola (16th), Jamie Mac (17th), Austin Dillon (18th) and Clint Bowyer (19th)
C:
1. Ryan Blaney - Blaney will start from inside the top 10 in Sunday's race. I don't think he will finish there, but I do think he can finish somewhere in the mid to high teen though. Earlier this week, it was announced that Blaney would be driving full-time next season. This team might be a little motivated to get a extra good run in than usual. I have very high hopes for him and this 21 team. I have him across the line in 20th, but that the lowest I expect him to finished. Given everything goes according to plan. My concern is him getting into the wall or blowing another engine. Anything possible I guess.
My Overall Ranking: 20th
2. Ty Dillon - Dillon another young driver who is entered in this race. Dillon will drive the 33 car (RCR powered) in Sunday's race. He wasn't bad in practice, but he wasn't anything special though. Based off of practice, he have a top 25 car and will start exactly from the 25th starting position. Ty should be good for a top 25 finish, but if some drivers have trouble. Then his upside could be top 20.
My Overall Ranking: 23rd
3. Danica Patrick - I thought about listing David Ragan, but then I remembered how bad of a weekend he is having. So Danica get the final spot in my overall rankings. She haven't impressed, but if she can keep it together then she should be good for a decent finish. Not much else to say about Patrick really. She is inconsistent, but she will often surprise us with solid finish.
My Overall Ranking: 25th
Twitter - @JeffNathans
