Charlotte Bank of America 500 Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Jamie McMurray – Jamie McMurray has some solid dark horse / sleeper potential at Charlotte in the Bank of America 500. This has proven to be a good venue for him. In 2002 he subbed for an injured Sterling Marlin and drove the #40 car to victory lane in just his second race. In fall 2010 he once again emerged victorious. Jamie McMurray was very good at Charlotte this spring. He won the All-Star race and in the Coca Cola 600 he ran well. In the longest race of the year he started in 26th, had a 10th place average running position, earned the 9th best driver rating, finished 5th and led 34 laps. His car looked very strong but he was almost cheated out of a good finish when he pitted under green two laps before Kurt Busch’s engine blew up. Before he pitted he was running near the lead but when the caution fell he was running back around 16th. Over the final portion of the race he rallied up to his 5th place finish. In the five Charlotte races prior to the event this spring he had a 20.6 average finish and the 21st best driver rating. Last season at Charlotte McMurray was a consistent driver. In both events he finished 19th. In spring 2013 he performed better than his result. In that race he started 9th, had a 13th place average running position and earned the 13th best driver rating. In fall 2013 he finished right where he should’ve because his average running position was 20th. Recently at high-speed intermediate tracks this team has performed well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that trend continue. (Yahoo B Driver)

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Denny Hamlin – Recently on high-speed intermediate tracks Hamlin has had improved performances. At these venues he now has 4 straight top tens. This spring Hamlin is a driver who burned fantasy in the Coca Cola 600. In the race he finished 22nd. Prior to that event he had 7 straight Charlotte top tens. Over that seven race stretch he had a 5.7 average finish, 7.1 average running position and the 2nd best driver rating. This spring his race wasn’t incident free. He had to make not one but two unscheduled pit stops for loose wheels. His first was on lap 102 and his second was on lap 312. Before his first loose wheel he was running in 10th and that problem dropped him down two laps.  Last fall Hamlin had a solid evening. He finished 9th, had a 10th place average running position and earned the 12th best driver rating. Last spring the Charlotte Coca Cola 600 marked his second full race back from injury. In the event he had a great performance. He won the pole, finished 4th, earned the 4th best driver rating and had a sixth place average running position. In 2012 Hamlin finished 2nd in both races. (Yahoo B Driver)

Further Recommended Reading – Top Tier Elite Picks, Mid Pack Predictions, Weekly Poll, Charlotte Scouting Report

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Charlotte has proven to be one of the more difficult tracks for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Among the 23 venues on the circuit this track is home to his 19th best average finish (19.41). His top fifteen percentage stands at just 45%. This spring at Charlotte Dale Earnhardt Jr. performed better than his 19th place result. If anything I would say he’s lucky he finished 19^th, just two laps down. On lap 311 he came down pit road and his crew popped open his hood and they certainly didn’t look like they were in a hurry. Prior to having his issue he was running in 9th. Also prior to his issue I would estimate his average running position was likely around 6th. Last fall Earnhardt Jr. ran well through the first two-thirds of the race. In that portion I would estimate his average running position was probably about 4th. In the last third of the race his car dropped off and he slowly slid back in the running order. When the checkered flag waved he finished 15th. In that race he led 19 laps, earned the 7th best driver rating and had a 7th place average running position despite his late slow free fall. In spring 2013 he had a disappointing performance. Around lap 258 his motor blew up and it ended his day and that of a few other drivers who were behind him who wrecked in his oil. Before he had that issue he was running in the high-teens. In 2012 Junior missed the fall race and finished 6th in the spring. In the 2011 Coca Cola 600 he would’ve won the race if he had a little more fuel. This season on high-speed intermediate tracks Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been a quality performer. (Yahoo A Driver)

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