Chicagoland Geico 400 Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Deadline Analysis

Jimmie Johnson

What to expect / Areas of concern:

Jimmie Johnson started the week as my #2 ranked driver but now that he’s starting on the pole he’s my new number #1. Speedwise Johnson looked mid pack yesterday but I think he’s anything but that this week. In practice his car was good over long runs and their speed didn’t seem to drop off.

Starting Position:

1st

Average Practice Speed Rankings

15th (Average Speed Chart)

Chassis Selection:

Johnson will be using the chassis he used when he dominated both Indy and Dover. This is a special chassis that Jimmie Johnson really likes.

Pit Stall Location:

Jimmie Johnson will have pit stall #1. David Ragan is pitting behind him and he has a clear exit out of his pit box.

What I said about him earlier this week:

Last season at Chicagoland Jimmie Johnson was one of the drivers who ran out of gas on the final lap. While the #48 was still on fumes in the closing laps he was running in third. On the final lap he ran out of gas and crossed the finish line in 10th. Johnson had one of the best cars last season. He had the third best driver (113.7), led the third most laps (39), and was tied for having the second best average running position (5th). His PROS Rankings was the third best. Although he’s never won at this venue he’s consistently been one of the drivers to beat. In 10 races at Chicagoland he has 5 top fives and 8 top tens. Johnson has also led laps in nine of his Chicago races. I think there’s no question Jimmie Johnson will be a very popular pick this week. One thing that should be noted about Johnson is that NASCAR changed some rules for Chicago and it might have an impact on his performance.

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Denny Hamlin

What to expect / Areas of concern:

Denny Hamlin has a fast car this week. His car was so impressive yesterday that many people are considering him the favorite to win the Geico 400. His strength in the race will be over long runs. His average speed rank was #1 for the weekend.

Starting Position:

8th

Average Practice Speed Rankings

1st (Average Speed Chart)

Chassis Selection:

Joe Gibbs Racing doesn’t report chassis selections.

Pit Stall Location:

Denny Hamlin is pitting in pit box #7. He has a clear entrance into his pit stall and start and parker Josh Wise is pitting in front of him.

What I said about him earlier this week:

Last year in the Chase Denny Hamlin crumbled like a cookie. His demise started at Chicagoland when he finished 31st. His poor finish can be credited to vibrations and cutting down a tire after contact with Biffle. In the next two most recent Chicago races he finished 5th and 8th. Kansas is Chicagoland’s sister track and in April  Hamiln passed Truex in the closing laps and took home the trophy. Another factor about Hamlin that needs to be noted is how good he’s been on 1.5 mile tracks this season. On this style of track he’s the only two-time winner this season and his 6.5 average finish is the best in the series. In the last four 1.5 mile track races Hamlin has finishes of 1st, 3rd, 2nd and 1st.

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Kasey Kahne

What to expect / Areas of concern:

Kasey Kahne has a strong car this week. He had the best 10 lap average in Happy Hour and he  ranked #12 on the Average Speed chart. Kahne is an intermediate track ace and by his own words he said he had a good car. In practice yesterday they focused on fine tuning the #5. Look for Kahne to use the high line in the race.

Starting Position:

6th

Average Practice Speed Rankings

12th (Average Speed Chart)

Chassis Selection:

Kasey Kahne will be driving the chassis that he won with at Charlotte.

Pit Stall Location:

Kasey Kahne will have pit stall #18. Start and parker Joe Nemechek is pitting behind him and he has a clear exit out of his pit box.

What I said about him earlier this week:

Last year at Chicagoland Kasey Kahne finished 12th, but he wasn’t that good. Up until about 5 laps to go he ran 99% percent of the race outside the top 18. Proof of that is his Yahoo! Race Chart and his 25th place average running position. His next three most recent Chicago finishes are 6th, 3rd and 15th. Kahne has been good on similar tracks this season. On 1.5 mile intermediate tracks he has a 10th place average finish and four top tens. At Kansas (sister track) in April Kahne started in 9th and finished 8th. What I don’t like about Kahne is his Chase history. (Yahoo! B Driver)