Charlotte Coca Cola 600 Top Tier Elite Deadline Analysis
Jimmie Johnson
What I said about him earlier this week:
When this track was called “Lowes” it was Jimmie Johnson’s house. For a while it looked like his home field advantage faded but after his All-Star win I think back. In the last four Charlotte races Johnson has finished 37th, 3rd, 28th and 34th. Last fall he was poised to finish in the top ten but while racing with Ryan Newman he lost control of his car (video). In the spring race Jimmie Johnson was going to finish around 10th but his engine blew up with a few laps remaining. Despite his recent history I wouldn’t be concerned at all about Jimmie Johnson in the Coca Cola 600. At Charlotte Motor Speedway Jimmie Johnson has won six races, four poles and has finished in the top five in 48% of his races. On 1.5 mile tracks there has been no one better than Johnson this season. In the three races run he has a 2.3 average finish (best in series) and 122.8 driver rating (best in series).
Starting Position:
3rd
Practice 10 Lap Average Rankings:
Practice #1: Did not complete 10 consecutive laps (only Joey Logano completed 10 laps in the first practice session)
Practice #2: 4th (182.653 MPH)
Happy Hour: 1st (181.173 MPH)
Chassis Selection:
Jimmie Johnson is using the chassis he raced with at Texas (finished 2nd)
Pit Stall Location:
Jimmie Johnson is pitting in pit stall #22. Danica Patrick is pitting behind him and he has a clear exit out of his pit box.
Areas of concern:
No concerns. Jimmie Johnson’s excited for this race and I believe he is the clear favorite to win the Coca Cola 600.
Get the ifantasyrace advantage for full / exclusive ifantasyrace.com content
[hr]
Matt Kenseth
What I said about him earlier this week:
Matt Kenseth is the type of driver who I like in long endurance races like the Coca Cola 600. I predict he’ll be a very popular pick by experts to win the longest race of the season. Kenseth won here last fall and in 2000 he won his very first race in that season’s Coca Cola 600. In the last six races at Charlotte Kenseth has finished in the top ten in every race except one. That race was last years Coca Cola 600 where he finished 14th and lead the most laps (103). If you’re a loop data fan you’ll be happy to hear he also had the best driver rating last spring. This year on 1.5 mile tracks I think Kenseth is flying somewhat below the radar because of his 22nd place finish at Las Vegas (caused by late contact with teammates while running in the top five). His 4.7 average running position on 1.5 mile tracks is tied for the best in the series and is better than Jimmie Johnson’s and Greg Biffle’s.
Starting Position:
20th
Practice 10 Lap Average Rankings:
Practice #1: Did not complete 10 consecutive laps (only Joey Logano completed 10 laps in the first practice session)
Practice #2: Did not complete 10 consecutive laps
Happy Hour: Did not complete 10 consecutive laps
Chassis Selection:
Matt Kenseth is using the chassis he raced with at Kansas (finished 4th).
Pit Stall Location:
Matt Kenseth is pitting in pit stall #41. Dave Blaney is pitting behind him and David Stremme is pitting in front of him. Dave Blaney shouldn’t be a problem because he won’t be on the lead lap long and David Stremme is a likely start and parker. Kenseth is always is good on pit road when he pits towards the entrance.
Areas of concern:
I have no concerns about Matt Kenseth. As darkness falls look for him to be at his best.
[hr]
