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Well, folks it was another busy week for your boy. I was suppose to go to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, but things didn't quite work out. Which was very disappointing, but I am fine staying in the air condition and staying cool. Even though, I would be having a lot more fun at the track. Still, I am excited for today's race. I think the cream will rise to the top, regardless where they are starting. You can make passes here, so it is not like you cannot overcome a poor starting spot. There will be comers and goers, the key is to be a goer at the end.
Sleepers -
Ricky Stenhouse Jr - Ricky is a sneaky good option this weekend at Chicago, I think. His numbers of late at Chicago isn't very good. But momentum-wise, I think this is the best the No.17 team has looked all year. In 6 of his last 7 races, he has finished in the top 18. From Talladega to Pocono, he did not finish outside of the top 15. Two races on 1.5 mile tracks, I might add too. He finished 10th at Charlotte and 11th at Kansas. In those two races, he had 10.5 average finish, 15.5 average running position and 76.6 driver rating. He wasn't quite as good as his finishes, but still he was in the range. Not like he finished 10th and 11th, while running in the 20s. He had legit races at both tracks. He wasn't super impressive in practice, but I do believe we will see Ricky somewhere between 13th-18th in the race.
Paul Menard - I been hyping this man, Paul Menard, up for weeks now. It is no suprise that the 21 car is fast and is on the pole. He has Penske power under the hood and has looked great in recent weeks. From Kansas to Michigan, he had no finishes worse than 14th. He had finishes of 5th at Kansas, 6th at Michigan and 14th at Charlotte. He has been strong on the intermediate tracks in general. The No.21 car is fast again this weekend. He showed a lot of speed on Saturday and looking damn fine entering today's. Yet, not enough people are taking him seriously as legit threat. He should be considered a legit threat. Especially for a top 10 finish. Worse comes to worse, he finishes somewhere in the low-teens. I don't see the downside in taking some stock in Paul Menard.
Dark Horses -
Ryan Blaney - Another intermediate track, another weekend that the 12 car is looking quick on the speed charts. The 12 car qualified in the top 3 and should be considered a top 10 car entering the race. I think what I love most is his upside for the race. He is one of those drivers who you can feel has the ''it'' factor. Some drivers are just plain and drive around. But not Ryan Blaney. You can feel there is something different about him. He has that upside that we are always craving in fantasy nascar picks. Blaney has been his strongest on the intermediate tracks this season. I expect him to stay at the front at least contend for a top 10 finish. I would be disappointed, if he didn't honestly.
Chase Elliott - Elliott has looked good this weekend, but not great. Still, he is one of those drivers that has the potential to breakout in a big way. Elliott will start from 3rd place and could have a chance to lead some laps, if he can get around Menard and Blaney early on. I wouldn't bank on it though. As both of those cars seem to be just a little better than Elliott. I think Elliott will have a very solid run in the race. I see him as a top 10 guy with unlimitless upside. I think the changes that his team makes in the race will be key. If they get him a little better, I think they can be top 5 contenders.
Other great choices - Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer and Erik Jones
Bust of the weekend -
Martin Truex Jr - I don't think Truex Jr is as good as everyone makes him to be. He had his time disallowed, but you know the narrative now, right? ''Oh he will be at the front in no time and blah blah blah'' I would buy that crap, if he had a great car. I haven't seen anything this weekend that screams he has a great car. I think he's pretty good, but I don't he has a winning car. He might make it to latter part of the top 5, but I haven't really been impressed by the 78 car. For a guy who has won the last two races here, I think he gonna end up being a major disappointment. And add in the hot weather and everything, it might be a long day for his pit crew, too. That's another concern for me. His pit crew. I would put money on his crew to at least screwing up at least one stop today.
***All stats are from DriverAverages.com and FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com
Have a question or want to chat?
Email - briggs_garry48@yahoo.com
Twitter - @Garryy12
Well, folks it was another busy week for your boy. I was suppose to go to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, but things didn't quite work out. Which was very disappointing, but I am fine staying in the air condition and staying cool. Even though, I would be having a lot more fun at the track. Still, I am excited for today's race. I think the cream will rise to the top, regardless where they are starting. You can make passes here, so it is not like you cannot overcome a poor starting spot. There will be comers and goers, the key is to be a goer at the end.
Sleepers -
Ricky Stenhouse Jr - Ricky is a sneaky good option this weekend at Chicago, I think. His numbers of late at Chicago isn't very good. But momentum-wise, I think this is the best the No.17 team has looked all year. In 6 of his last 7 races, he has finished in the top 18. From Talladega to Pocono, he did not finish outside of the top 15. Two races on 1.5 mile tracks, I might add too. He finished 10th at Charlotte and 11th at Kansas. In those two races, he had 10.5 average finish, 15.5 average running position and 76.6 driver rating. He wasn't quite as good as his finishes, but still he was in the range. Not like he finished 10th and 11th, while running in the 20s. He had legit races at both tracks. He wasn't super impressive in practice, but I do believe we will see Ricky somewhere between 13th-18th in the race.
Paul Menard - I been hyping this man, Paul Menard, up for weeks now. It is no suprise that the 21 car is fast and is on the pole. He has Penske power under the hood and has looked great in recent weeks. From Kansas to Michigan, he had no finishes worse than 14th. He had finishes of 5th at Kansas, 6th at Michigan and 14th at Charlotte. He has been strong on the intermediate tracks in general. The No.21 car is fast again this weekend. He showed a lot of speed on Saturday and looking damn fine entering today's. Yet, not enough people are taking him seriously as legit threat. He should be considered a legit threat. Especially for a top 10 finish. Worse comes to worse, he finishes somewhere in the low-teens. I don't see the downside in taking some stock in Paul Menard.
Dark Horses -
Ryan Blaney - Another intermediate track, another weekend that the 12 car is looking quick on the speed charts. The 12 car qualified in the top 3 and should be considered a top 10 car entering the race. I think what I love most is his upside for the race. He is one of those drivers who you can feel has the ''it'' factor. Some drivers are just plain and drive around. But not Ryan Blaney. You can feel there is something different about him. He has that upside that we are always craving in fantasy nascar picks. Blaney has been his strongest on the intermediate tracks this season. I expect him to stay at the front at least contend for a top 10 finish. I would be disappointed, if he didn't honestly.
Chase Elliott - Elliott has looked good this weekend, but not great. Still, he is one of those drivers that has the potential to breakout in a big way. Elliott will start from 3rd place and could have a chance to lead some laps, if he can get around Menard and Blaney early on. I wouldn't bank on it though. As both of those cars seem to be just a little better than Elliott. I think Elliott will have a very solid run in the race. I see him as a top 10 guy with unlimitless upside. I think the changes that his team makes in the race will be key. If they get him a little better, I think they can be top 5 contenders.
Other great choices - Kurt Busch, Clint Bowyer and Erik Jones
Bust of the weekend -
Martin Truex Jr - I don't think Truex Jr is as good as everyone makes him to be. He had his time disallowed, but you know the narrative now, right? ''Oh he will be at the front in no time and blah blah blah'' I would buy that crap, if he had a great car. I haven't seen anything this weekend that screams he has a great car. I think he's pretty good, but I don't he has a winning car. He might make it to latter part of the top 5, but I haven't really been impressed by the 78 car. For a guy who has won the last two races here, I think he gonna end up being a major disappointment. And add in the hot weather and everything, it might be a long day for his pit crew, too. That's another concern for me. His pit crew. I would put money on his crew to at least screwing up at least one stop today.
***All stats are from DriverAverages.com and FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com
Have a question or want to chat?
Email - briggs_garry48@yahoo.com
Twitter - @Garryy12