Dover FedEx 400 Top Tier Elite Deadline Analysis
Jimmie Johnson
What I said about him earlier this week:
No driver has been more dominant at Dover than Jimmie Johnson. In the last six races Jimmie Johnson has three wins and has led 157 laps or more every race (1,349 total laps in last six). Some more impressive stats of his in this stretch are his 2.3 average running position, 5.0 average finish, 3.7 average start and 139.4 driver rating. Johnson ranks as the best in the series in all of those statistical categories. Jimmie Johnson has always been good at Dover. Back in his rookie year he swept the races at the Monster Mile (6 total wins). Darlington races somewhat like Dover and a few weeks ago Jimmie Johnson emerged victorious at the “Track to tough to tame”, Look for him to tame the Monster this weekend.
Starting Position:
2nd
Practice 10 Lap Average Rankings:
Practice #1: Did not complete 10 consecutive laps (only three drivers completed 10 laps consecutively).
Happy Hour: 3rd (152.261 MPH)
Chassis Selection:
Jimmie Johnson will be piloting a new chassis in the FedEx 400
Pit Stall Location:
Jimmie Johnson is pitting out of pit box #10. He has a clear entrance out of his pit box and Paul Menard is pitting behind him. Menard should never be ahead of Johnson so I don’t see any concerns here. It must be noted though that these pit crews had problems with each other at Richmond.
Areas of concern:
No concerns. Johnson still remains my favorite to win. Jordan also has Johnson ranked #1 following practice and qualifying.
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Kyle Busch
What I said about him earlier this week:
In the last four Dover races Kyle Busch has finished 1st, 6th, 4th and 6th. In this select group of races Busch has averaged the most points per race (41) and has the second best average running position (6th). Dover has always been a good track for Busch. In his rookie season he finished 2nd in both races. I think the combination of his track history and momentum will make him one of the favorites to win the FedEx 400.
Starting Position:
8th
Practice 10 Lap Average Rankings:
Practice #1: Did not complete 10 consecutive laps (only three drivers completed 10 laps consecutively).
Happy Hour: 15th (151.546 MPH)
Chassis Selection:
Joe Gibbs Racing typically doesn’t report chassis info
Pit Stall Location:
Kyle Busch is pitting in pit box #7. Michael McDowell is pitting ahead of him and Regan Smith is pitting behind him. I think McDowell is a likely start and parker and I don’t forsee a circumstance where Smith could create entry problems for Busch. One long shot potential conflict on pit road is that Greg Biffle is pitting behind Smith, I think there’s a slime chance these two could create difficulty for each other when it comes to merging on pit road following their pit stop.
Areas of concern:
No concerns. Kyle Busch was my #2 heading into the race and following practice and qualifying Jordan has him ranked as his #3 driver.
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