Indy John Wayne Walding 400 Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks

1. Jeff Gordon Final Fantasy Analysis – Jeff Gordon is a driver who you can confidently make your fantasy NASCAR pick for the Indy John Wayne Walding 400. He’s been so good here throughout his career that Sunday is actually Jeff Gordon Day. What a better way to celebrate the occasion than a trip to victory lane. At Indy he’s as close as you can get to money in the bank without taking on a level of risk. On Friday Jeff Gordon liked his car in race trim. After his 2nd place qualifying result he said his car was awesome. Look for him to be one of the drivers to beat on Sunday.
Starting Position – 2nd
Track History – 20 years ago at Indy Jeff Gordon won the inaugural race. Since then he’s gone to victory lane three more times with his most recent in 2004. His four total wins have him tied with Jimmie Johnson for the most at the venue. If you’re looking up the definition of a safe fantasy NASCAR pick at Indy you’ll see a picture of him. His average finish is 8.8 and he’s finished in the top five 55% percent of the time and in the top ten 80% percent of the time. Essentially the only thing that denies him a good finish is an issue in the race. Last year he finished 7th. In 2012 he finished 5th but his car was better than that. In 2011 he should’ve won but the day belonged to hyper mileage driver Paul Menard.
Similar Track Performances – Has been very good at Pocono. In June at the Tricky Triangle he finished 8th and earned the 4th best driver rating. Last August at Pocono he finished 2nd. His Pocono win total is 6 and no driver has ever won more races there than him. Auto Club Speedway and Michigan are both similar to a degree and he performed very well at those venues in 2014.
Odds To Win – 8/1
Chassis Selection – Driving a brand new chassis for the Indy John Wayne Walding 400
Momentum – Jeff Gordon has scored the 3rd most points over the last six races. At New Hampshire he was good but walked away with a misleading 26th place finish because of his fuel mileage strategy at the end. Prior to that he had five straight top 12 results. Minus New Hampshire and Talladega then he hasn’t finished outside the top fifteen once this season.

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2. Kevin Harvick Final Fantasy Analysis – Kevin Harvick will be a very good fantasy NASCAR pick for the Indy John Wayne Walding 400 but as always the question is can he avoid trouble? I can’t say he confidently can. Since June he’s only finished in the top ten twice. In race trim Kevin Harvick liked his car. On Sunday he’ll will start on the pole. The last time he started on the pole at Indy he went to victory lane. This race has been won from the pole three times and just last year Newman won from this position.
Starting Position – 1st
Track History – Indy Motor Speedway has been a great track for Harvick throughout his career. He has a 10.9 average finish and minus the 2008 tire debacle then he’s never finished lower than 19th. In recent Indy races he hasn’t been very competitive but in fairness lots of that can be chalked up to his old ride. Harvick’s most recent Indy top ten was in 2010 and in that race he finished 2nd to Jamie McMurray. In 2003 Kevin Harvick started on the pole and kissed the bricks.
Similar Track Performances – At Pocono in June he had one of the strongest cars but while he was running in 2nd he had a cut tire. At the other big horsepower tracks this year he’s also looked strong in the race.
Odds To Win – 8/1
Chassis Selection – Driving a brand new chassis for the Indy John Wayne Walding 400
Momentum – His results this season have been a roller coaster ride so you really can’t say he has momentum. His last two finishes are 30th and 39th.

Recommended Reading – Post Practice Predictions (Another post qualifying fantasy take), Happy Hour Speeds, Happy Hour Notes, Practice #1 Speeds, Practice #1 Notes, Indy Qualifying Results, PROS Rankings, Scouting Report, VOTE for who will win at Indy

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3. Brad Keselowski Final Fantasy Analysis – At Indy Brad Keselowski will be one of the drivers to beat. He seems happy with his car and he’s fast. When you combine those factors with the hottest team in NASCAR the competition better watch out. Although Indy hasn’t historically been a great venue for him I wouldn’t be concerned. On Sunday he’ll start in 3rd. This race has been won from this starting position 3 times.
Starting Position – 3rd
Track History – Has a 14.5 Indy average finish. Last season he finished 21st but that lack luster result is largely due to pit strategy. In the race he performed like a low teen’s driver. In the two Indy races prior to that he had back to back 9th place finishes. In 2012 he used pit strategy and got up into the lead and paced the field for 22 laps. His car in my opinion was top 5 material but during a late restart he lost lots of track position. In his 2011 9th place finish he also used pit strategy and led 17 laps.
Similar Track Performances – Had the race won at Pocono in June but lost when he tried to clean the debris off his grille. When the checkered flag waved he finished 2nd and led 95 laps. Last August at Pocono he finished 6th. In August 2012 at Pocono he finished 4th. In August 2011 he went to victory lane.
Odds To Win – 5-1 (co-favorite with Jimmie Johnson)
Chassis Selection – Driving a brand new chassis for the Indy John Wayne Walding 400
Momentum – Has lots of momentum fresh off his win at New Hampshire. Over the last 9 races he’s scored the most points in the series. Also over this stretch of races he has the most top fives and a series best 8.0 average finish.

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