The Super Low Tier – Dover
Justin Haley (NOT RACING ) Justin Haley will miss Dover due tore COVID-19 protocols.
Josh Berry (Starting REAR of the field, but will be scored from 29th) Josh Berry will be making his Cup debut at Dover subbing for Justin Haley. This year in the Xfinity Series, Berry won at Martinsville and has finished in the top ten 50% of the time. On Sunday, Berry will be driving the fastest “Super Low Tier” car in the field, but that’s not really saying much. On Sunday, I think he’ll be a high-twenties to low-thirties driver.
BJ McLeod (Starting 31st) Among super low tier teams, BJ McLeod has fielded the 2nd fastest car on a week to week basis in 2021. Over the last five races heading into the weekend, McLeod has four results between 29th to 32nd and his average finish is 29.8. Last year at Dover, McLeod finished 31st in race #2, and in race #1 he had “Handling” problems which led to a DNF 38th place finish. At Dover, look for McLeod to be a low thirties driver.
James Davison (Starting 33rd) At Dover, I think James Davison will be a low thirties driver. He just finished 31st at Darlington, and in 4 of his last 5 races this season he’s finished between 31st and 33rd. In a Cup car at Dover, Davison has no starts under his belt.
Quin Houff (Starting 35th) At Dover, I think Quin Houff has low to mid-thirties potential. He just finished 30th at Darlington, and last year at Dover he had results of 33rd and 34th in the two races. Over the last six races this season, Houff has a 31.2 average finish.
Cody Ware (Starting 34th) At Dover, I think Cody Ware is a low to mid-thirties driver. Over the last six races this season, Ware’s average finish is 32.3. Last week at Darlington he finished 34th. At Dover, Ware has two starts under his belt, but neither were last year. Back in spring 2019 in his most recent race he finished 34th. In spring 2017 when he made his first Dover start he finished 35th.
Garrett Smithley (Starting 36th) At Dover, Garrett Smithley has three starts on his resume and all of his finishes are between 33rd to 37th. On Sunday, I think its extremely safe to project him to finish within that range again. Last year at Dover, Smithley finished 37th in race #1 and 35th in race #2. In terms of season to date total speed rankings, Smithley will be fielding the 2nd slowest car on Sunday.
Josh Bilicki (Starting 37th) At Dover, Josh Bilicki has been pretty consistent over his two starts and last year he had a pair of 32nd’s. If Josh Bilicki could do that again, I would consider it a win. In 7 of the last 11 races this season he’s finished 35th or worse. Last week at Darlington he finished 33rd, so I guess there’s hope. In terms of Season To Date Total Speed Rankings, Josh Bilicki will be fielding the slowest car on the track on Sunday. His average Total Speed Ranking for the season is 36.1.
