We are just 12 races away from the Chase in which the top 12 drivers will compete for the Sprint Cup. There is still a lot to be determined as just 155 points separate drivers 9-16. This weekend the teams head to Michigan International Speedway. Since 2000, there have been 17 races here and 12 different winners. This weekend could be a big weekend for some drivers looking to help secure a spot.
Michigan is a D-Shaped 2-mile track wide enough for three-car racing all around. Its a fast track with speeds reaching near 200 mph. In 1998 in a CART race, three spectators were killed after an accident caused debris to fly into the stands, fortunately there haven't been any NASCAR wrecks of that magnitude here and you aren't likely to see "The Big One" that you see at Daytona or Talladega.
1. Greg Biffle - The cards are stacked for Biffle. First, Ford has won more times at this track, 31 times, than any other car and Roush Fenway Racing has 11 victories of their own. Biffle won back-to-back times in 2004-05 and starts in the middle of the pack in 20th. This is his race to lose. Biffle has 7 top-10 finishes at MIS.
2. Tony Stewart- There is no hotter driver in NASCAR and the current point leader starts 11th on Sunday. His average finish at this track is 12.4. A driver's confidence is crucial in a track like this one. I should list him to finish 1a rather than 2nd. When a driver is hot you can throw away the numbers. But looking at the numbers he has 9 top-5 finishes here.
3. Kurt Busch- Busch last won here in 2007 and prior to that in 2003. His average finish here is 13.5 and has 37 top-5 finishes at intermediate tracks. He dropped a spot last week in the standings but is poised to rebound as he starts 5th on Sunday.
4. Carl Edwards- Edwards is on the rise lately as he jumped up 5 spots in the standings after last weekends race. He has been quiet all season long but is finally getting things going at the best time. Although he starts 29th he has not always been a man to start near the top. Another Roush Fenway Ford is a lock for the top 5. Edwards has 5 top-5 finishes and is the top active driver in average finishes, finishing on average 6.6
5. Mark Martin - He has finished on the leap lap at this track a record 31 times but has never brought home a win. Martin starts near the back of the field and the worst starting position for an eventual winner is 28th. It'll be tough for Martin to get a win but a top-5 finish is not out of the realm. Martin sits 13th in points and a great finish could push him into the top 10.
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2 comments:
There is always at least one surprise near the front of the field every time out here, but by sticking to the handful of drivers that have the high-banked concrete oval figured out, you can maximize the number of points your NASCAR fantasy team scores.
The 5 guys I picked all finished in the top 8. I surprise myself sometimes.
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