Watkins Glen CHEEZ-IT 355 Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks
1. Marcos Ambrose – Marcos Ambrose is a driver who you can pick confidently to win the Watkins Glen CHEEZ-IT 355. This is by far his best track on the schedule. He’s won the last two races at the Glen and has never finished worse than 3rd. Over his 5 races his average finish is 2.0. In last season’s race Ambrose didn’t have the best car but he still took home the trophy. If the track wasn’t oiled down on the last lap he likely would’ve finished 3rd. In his 2011 victory I don’t think he had the best car either. What happened is that Kyle Busch messed up during the final restart which opened up the door for an aggressive Marcos Ambrose (video). Road courses are by far his best track type. On these venues he currently has ten consecutive top 8 finishes. Earlier this season at Infineon he finished 7th and led 18 laps. He’s much better at the Glen so to an extent you can void that result. On Sunday he’ll be using his Infineon chassis from June. Starting on the pole will give Marcos Ambrose a huge advantage in the race. This event has been won from the pole 30% percent of the time.
2. Kyle Busch – Watkins Glen has been a very good track for Kyle Busch. He’s a former winner (2008) and in my opinion he should’ve won the last two races here. Last year at Watkins Glen he had the dominant car. He led nearly half the race (43 laps), had a third place average running position and finished 7th. If there wasn’t oil on the track on the last lap he would’ve won by a couple of seconds. In 2011 once again he had the dominant car. In that race he led 49 laps, had a 2nd place average running position and finished 3rd. If he didn’t have problems during a late restart in turn #1 he had a very good chance to win the race. Currently at Watkins Glen Kyle Busch has 7 consecutive top ten finishes and over this stretch his average finish is 5.57. On Sunday Kyle Busch will start in 5th.
Other recommended reading this week: Watkins Glen Qualifying Results, Watkins Glen Practice Speeds, Watkins Glen Practice Notes, Watkins Glen Round Table Debate
3. Martin Truex Jr. – On Sunday in the CHEEZ-IT 355 Martin Truex Jr. will be looking to go for the sweep on this track type. That doesn’t happen often though. It’s been done four times with the most recent being in 2008 by Kyle Busch. Between the two road courses I like Truex Jr. more at the Glen. He has a 13.7 average finish and has had a result in the top ten nearly 60% percent of the time. He currently has back to back top ten finishes. In last seasons race he earned the 6th best driver rating and finished 10th. At Sonoma earlier this season he led 51 laps and earned the best driver rating. Yesterday in practice I thought the #56 car looked the best on the track. In practice #1 they completed a long +10 lap run and it appeared that they maintained speed over the course of that run. On Sunday Truex Jr. will start in 3rd.
August 10, 2013 @ 2:56 pm
I need some help. I can’t decide between a few drivers. I can take two and Ambrose is a lock for one spot. I can’t decide who I want to use in the other spot between the 2, 18, and the 15. Who would you suggest and why? Thanks!!
August 10, 2013 @ 3:02 pm
Hi Darren. You’re in a special allocation league I believe. Can you give me some more info about you situation. Also for a quick reference take note all three of those options are in the top 5
August 10, 2013 @ 3:14 pm
In my league you take two drivers every race but can only use drivers 3 times for the season. I thinl them all being in the top 5 is why I am struggling to decide who I want to use. I’ve only used the 2 and the 18 once so far and I’ve used the 15 twice so If I take him then he’s done for the year. I have been deep in the field and I am starting to climb back up towards the money so I wanted to use a couple of solid options this week to try and make sure I have good finishes and keep on the move up toward the money. If you have any other suggestions please send them my way. Thanks
August 10, 2013 @ 3:21 pm
I think I would use the 18. Best car last two years and he’s been consistent. Its hard to trust the 2 this year and I think Bowyer should be saved for a later date. One other option is the 56. Jordan has him ranked high.
August 10, 2013 @ 10:14 pm
So would go with the 56 over the 18 this week? I’d ideally like to save rowdy but not so much as I need a high finish this week.
August 10, 2013 @ 10:16 pm
Between the 2 I would do the 18. Their close though IMO (2&3).
August 11, 2013 @ 4:27 am
Would you go with Truex Jr. Or JPM? Thanks!
August 11, 2013 @ 4:34 am
Also, Kyle B. or JPM?
August 11, 2013 @ 5:16 am
In the order of the drivers listed I would go 18,56, and then 42.If this is an allocation question I would strongly consider Montoya.
August 11, 2013 @ 6:37 am
Thanks! I’m playing the NASCAR Sprint App just for fun. (I’m in 5th & 7th place) I only have $100 to pick 5 drivers. I picked Jimmie J., Ambrose, Kyle, JPM & David S. I have to pick the best I can with their given dollar value….. I had picked BK, but switched it to Kyle after reading your responses. I can only afford JPM now. Thanks again for your time and help.