WWT Raceway / Gateway Fantasy NASCAR Mid Pack Predictions
Ryan Preece
Gateway Fantasy Spin – Is Ryan Preece getting better? I think so, or at least he’s improving in the results column. Heading into the weekend, Preece has finished in the teens in 3 of the last 4 races, and going back even further, he’s done so in 5 of the last 8 races. I think Preece also has boosted upside since he’s a solid shorter-flat track driver. This year at on this sub-track type, Preece finished 12th at Phoenix (was in 17th before the late caution came out) and 18th at Richmond. On Sunday, I think Ryan Preece might just have high-teens potential and if things get goofy, he might finish even better than that.
Gateway Track History – Ryan Preece has never competed at Gateway on the Cup level.
AJ Allmendinger
Gateway Fantasy Spin – Last year at Gateway, AJ Allmendinger showed up on Sunday and raced his way to a 10th place finish, sight unseen. What will he do with practice and qualifying in year #2? Well, I would probably just brace myself for him to have a teens day, but also be prepared for him to finish in the 20’s. By no means do I expect him to repeat his finish feat. This year at shorter-flat tracks, Allmendinger finished 20th at Phoenix and 27th at Richmond.
Gateway Track History – Last year at Gateway, AJ Allmendinger missed practice, missed qualifying, started in the back and then drove his way home to a 10th. I wonder where is that AJ Allmendinger this year. It was an impressive showing, and AJ Allmendinger had never even raced here before in any other discipline of racing. In the race, Allmendinger had the 18th best Total Speed Ranking with his speed over the segments being 28th, 22nd, 18th and then 12th when the money was on the line.
Erik Jones
Gateway Fantasy Spin – Last year at Gateway, Erik Jones had a great track debut and finished 7th but based on how the #43 team is running right now, I wouldn’t expect a similar result. Realistically, I think a finish around 20th should be expected. I view Phoenix as having the most correlation and at that venue this spring, Jones finished 21st, had a 17.9 average running position and had the 24th best Total Speed Ranking.
Gateway Track History – Erik Jones had a strong showing last year at Gateway. In the race, Jones started 21st, finished 9th in Stage #2, had a 9.9 average running position and then finished 7th when the checkered flag waved. In terms of speed stats, Jones had the 9th best Total Speed Ranking, ranked 10th for Speed Laet In A Run and ranked 11th for Green Flag Speed.
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