Kentucky Quaker State 400 Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Deadline Analysis
Jimmie Johnson
What I said about him earlier this week:
In the first race at Kentucky Speedway Jimmie Johnson finished 3rd as David Reutimann passed him coming to the finish line. Some notable stats of his from last year are his 119.8 driver rating (second best) and 6th place average running position. The #48 team is the smartest team in NASCAR and Chad Knaus will be better prepared this time around. His pit crew is also better this year, last season they were an anchor (had pit stop problems in this race in 2011). At 1.5 mile tracks this season he has a 4.5 average finish, 5.3 average running position and a worst finish of 11th (pit stop problems at Charlotte). I think Jimmie Johnson will the top pick by experts to win the Quaker State 400.
Starting Position:
1st
Practice 10 Lap Average Rankings:
Happy Hour: 2nd (171.085 MPH)
*** NOTE, no drivers ran 10 consecutive laps in the first practice session
Chassis Selection:
Jimmie Johnson will be piloting a chassis that raced at both Charlotte (11th, pit road penalty. Looked like a top five threat) and Texas (2nd) this season.
Pit Stall Location:
Jimmie Johnson is pitting in pit stall #1. Michael McDowell is pitting behind him and he has a clear exit out of his pit box. McDowell is a likely start and parker.
Areas of concern:
I have no concerns about Jimmie Johnson. This is his first pole since 2010 and I think he’ll take advantage of this opportunity.
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Greg Biffle
What I said about him earlier this week:
Last year at Kentucky Biffle finished 21st but he was better than that. With 7 laps remaining he was running in 10th but he ran down the apron and got loose. This caused him to fade back to 15th. He then pitted with two laps remaining and started 21st. He was unable to improve his position following his pit stop (Yahoo! Race Chart). In Nationwide races at Kentucky Biffle has finished 2nd three times and has an average finish of 8.8. No driver has been better than Biffle at 1.5 mile tracks this season. He has a 3.3 average finish and is the only driver who’s finished in the top five in every race (at 1.5 mile tracks). My prediction is that he’ll give Jimmie Johnson a run for his money.
Starting Position:
11th
Practice 10 Lap Average Rankings:
Happy Hour: Did not run 10 consecutive laps (Check out his combined average speed to get a better picture of how good his car was)
Chassis Selection:
Greg Biffle will be piloting his All-Star Race chassis (engine failure).
Pit Stall Location:
Greg Biffle will be pitting in pit stall #3. Casey Mears is pitting behind him and Michael McDowell is pitting in front of him. Neither of these drivers are likely to be in a position where they’ll cause problems for Biffle.
Areas of concern:
My only minor concern about Biffle is that he didn’t run 10 consecutive laps in practice.
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