Texas Samsung Mobile 500: Drivers who you don’t want to pick
Aric Almirola – For whatever reason the “Kings” Fords have been lagging this year. At both intermediate tracks this year Almirola has come home with finishes of 25th and 24th. In both races he finished 1 lap down. I think if you pick him for the Texas Samsung Mobile 500 you should expect the same results. Don’t let his top ten finish at Martinsville cloud your judgement.
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Regan Smith – Smith has had respectable performances on intermediate tracks this year. At Las Vegas he finished 15th and at Auto Club he finished 20th. Texas has historically been a rough track for Regan Smith. His Average finish is a lowly 29.4 (worst among Yahoo! B List drivers). The postiive about Smith at TMS is that in three out of the last four races he’s finished in the low twenties (positive compared to his five finishes in the thirties). If you’re in an allocation league like Yahoo! I really don’t think Smith should be on your radar for the Texas Samsung Mobile 500.
Juan Pablo Montoya – Montoya has had some success on the track this year (Phoenix, Bristol) but on intermediate tracks he’s clearly a driver who you don’t want to pick. On intermediates this year he’s averaged a 21st place finish and he’s ran in the top fifteen for 0% of the laps run! Last year at Texas Montoya finished 13th and 18th.
Bobby Labonte – Even though JTG shares resources with MWR it doesn’t seem the notes are trickling to Labonte. In the two intermediate track races this year he’s finished 28th and 26th. That’s not in the range where I would want my fantasy driver to finish in. His 2012 intermediate track driver rating is 55.75.
David Ragan – In the last four Texas races Ragan has finished in the top fifteen every race and has averaged a 10.5 average finish. Some other notable loop data stats of his in this short span are his 93.9 driver rating and 12.3 average running position. Last year in the two Texas races he started 1st and 2nd. Those are historical stats from his time at Roush Fenway Racing. Now he’s at Front Row Motorsports and in the two intermediate track races this year he’s finished 21st (Las Vegas) and 31st (Auto Club). Like I’ve said many times about Ragan this year look for him to finish just ahead of the start and parkers.
David Reutimann – Reutimann’s going to need better finishes or come Darlington Danica Patrick will be qualifying on time. Last year and in years past Reutimann was a sleeper driver at 1.5 mile tracks. Both of his career victories have come on this style of track. His current team is no MWR though. Reutimann has yet to finish on the lead lap this year. Look for Reutimann to finish just ahead of the start and parkers.
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Top Tier Elite > Front Runners > Mid Pack Projections > Drivers To Avoid
