NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte
May 26, 2010
| Expert | Website | Pick to Win | Finish | Experts Avg | |
| Josh Lobdell | FFToolbox | Denny Hamlin | 18 | 10.23 | |
| Jerry Lagger | One and Done Game Winner | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 10.69 | |
| Dennis Michelsen | RaceTalkRadio.com | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 14.15 | |
| Tall Glass of Milk | Answerthis.com | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 14.23 | |
| Eric McClung | On Pit Row | Kurt Busch | 1 | 16.00 | |
| Eric McGuire | free agent | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 14.23 | |
| Dan Beaver | Fantasy Racing Games | Kyle Busch | 3 | 8.08 | |
| Matt Mercer | On Pit Row | Denny Hamlin | 18 | 14.38 | |
| Adam Ansell | Roto Experts | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 16.46 | |
| Chris Leone | On Pit Row | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 16.92 | |
| Bob Ellis | NASCAR Ranting and Raving | Kurt Busch | 1 | 11.46 | |
| CharlieTurner | On Pit Row | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 18.77 | |
| Lou Lauer | USAR Fans | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 15.69 | |
| Jon Rodgers | Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner | Kyle Busch | 3 | 13.00 | |
| James Jones | On Pit Row | Kyle Busch | 3 | 10.23 | |
| Ryan Rantz | On Pit Row | Kyle Busch | 3 | 10.46 | |
| Darren Fauth | Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet | Jimmie Johnson | 37 | 15.46 | |
| P J Walsh | FantasyNASCARPreview.com | Kyle Busch | 3 | 11.46 | |
| Charles Rantz | ifantasyrace.com | Kurt Busch | 1 | 14.38 |
NASCAR Fantasy Racing Expert Darkhorse Picks: Coca Cola 600
May 26, 2010
The On Pit Row fantasy racing experts opinions of the best Sprint Cup driver currently outside the top 12 in Sprint Cup Series points, for this weekends race.
| Expert | Website | Pick to Win | Finish | Experts Avg | |
| Matt Mercer | On Pit Row | Brad Keselowski | 20 | 17.15 | |
| James Jones | On Pit Row | Ryan Newman | 9 | 10.31 | |
| Josh Lobdell | FFToolbox | Casey Mears | 29 | 21.23 | |
| Dennis Mickelson | RaceTalkRadio.com | Martin Truex Jr | 23 | 12.31 | |
| Jon Rodgers | Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner | Tony Stewart | 15 | 12.08 | |
| Jerry Lagger
Eric McGuire |
One and Done Game Winner | Joey Logano
Juan Pablo Montoya |
13
38 |
13.23
13.54 |
|
| Charlie Turner | On Pit Row | Kasey Kahne | 12 | 11.85 | |
| Tall Glass of Milk | Answerthis.com | Ryan Newman | 9 | 8.62 | |
| Adam Ansell | Roto Experts | Kasey Kahne | 12 | 11.08 | |
| Charles Rantz | ifantasyrace.com | A J Allmendinger | 14 | 10.85 | |
| Darren Fauth | Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet | David Reutimann | 5 | 11.92 | |
| Lou Lauer | USAR Fans | Tony Stewart | 15 | 12.23 | |
| Ryan Rantz | On Pit Row | Clint Bowyer | 7 | 17.92 | |
| Eric McClung | On Pit Row | Kasey Kahne | 12 | 20.15 | |
| P J Walsh | FantasyNASCARPreview.com | Joey Logano | 13 | 11.54 | |
| Bob Ellis | NASCAR Ranting and Raving | Tony Stewart | 15 | 13.69 | |
| Chris Leone | On Pit Row | David Reutimann | 5 | 20.31 | |
| Dan Beaver | Fantasy Racing Games | Kasey Kahne | 12 | 10.38 |
NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Coca Cola 600 from Charlotte
May 26, 2010
Two races have already been held on 1.5-mile cookie-cutter tracks with 24 degrees of corner banking, similar to Charlotte Motor Speedway. The results from Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway should play an important role to making fantasy selections. The wear on each of these tracks will cause the speeds to vary, but the skills and setup required to succeed are similar.
Top 10 Drivers thus far on 1.5 mi x 24° tracks
| ATL | TX | AVG | |
| Kurt Busch | 1 | 4 | 2.5 |
| Kasey Kahne | 4 | 5 | 4.5 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 12 | 2 | 7 |
| Kevin Harvick | 9 | 7 | 8 |
| Greg Biffle | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| A.J. Allmendinger | 6 | 13 | 9.5 |
| Denny Hamlin | 21 | 1 | 11 |
| Matt Kenseth | 2 | 20 | 11 |
| Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | 15 | 8 | 11.5 |
Chasing the pole at Charlotte
- Jimmie Johnson… Started fifth in last year’s spring race at Charlotte, won the pole in the fall
- Ryan Newman… Won the pole in last year’s spring race at Charlotte, started sixth in the fall.
- Kasey Kahne… Started sixth and third last year at Charlotte. Started fourth at Atlanta, fifth at Texas.
Here’s an explanation of the highlighted text in the rankings.
- Y! A/B/C - The top options in the Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing game by driver list.
- Value play - Sneaky plays at this week’s track. Drivers to consider as low-rent salary cap options or alternatives in allocation formats.
- Jimmie Johnson… Six-time winner (10/99, ‘05 sweep, ‘04 sweep, 5/03) at Charlotte. Average finish of 8.6 in 17 career starts at Charlotte, had led at least six laps in 16 straight. Y!-A1
- Jeff Gordon… Five-time winner (10/07, 10/99, 5/98, 5/97, 5/94) at Charlotte. Average finish of 6.2 over the last five races at Charlotte, 183 laps led. Y!-A2
- Kurt Busch… Won at Atlanta, fourth at Texas. Y!-A3
- Kyle Busch… Has finished eighth or better in six of the last seven races at Charlotte. Y!-A4
- Denny Hamlin… Average running position of 15th or better in six of the last eight races at Charlotte. ATL 21st, TX 1st.
- Kevin Harvick… Finished ninth at Atlanta, seventh at Texas. Y!-B1
- Matt Kenseth… Won 5/00 race at Charlotte, finished 10th and second last year. Y!-B2
- Kasey Kahne… Three-time winner (5/08, ‘06 sweep) at Charlotte. Average finish of 5.8 since ‘06. ATL 4th, TX 5th. Y!-B3
- Greg Biffle… Finished 20th and 16th last year at Charlotte, second and seventh in 2008. ATL eighth, TX 10th.
- David Reutimann… Won 5/09 race at Charlotte, finished 15th in the fall. Y!-B4
- Jeff Burton… Three-time winner (10/08, 5/01, 5/99) at Charlotte. Five Top 10 finishes in the last 10 races at Charlotte. Y!-B5
- Ryan Newman… Finished second and 11th last year at Charlotte. ATL 17th, TX 11th. Y!-B6
- Mark Martin… Four-time winner (5/02, 10/98, 10/95, 10/92) at Charlotte. Finished 17th in both races last year at Charlotte. Average running position of 15th or better in 10 straight.
- Tony Stewart… Won 10/03 race at Charlotte. Average finish of 12.4 in the last seven races at Charlotte.
- Carl Edwards… Has finished ninth and fourth in the last two spring races at Charlotte, 33rd and 39th in the fall.
- Juan Pablo Montoya… Finished a career-best eighth in last year’s spring race at Charlotte, only Top 20 finish in six career starts.
- Clint Bowyer… Average finish of 19.0 in eight career starts at Charlotte. Y!-B7
- Joey Logano… Finished ninth and fifth last year at Charlotte. Y!-B8
- Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Average running position of 37th in both races last year at Charlotte. ATL 15th, TX 8th
- AJ Allmendinger… Strong value play. Only one Top 15 finish in six career starts at Charlotte. ATL 6th, TX 13th. Y!-C1
- Martin Truex Jr…. Average running position of 18th or better in six straight races at Charlotte.
- Brad Keselowski… Started eighth, finished 12th in last year’s fall race at Charlotte.
- Jamie McMurray… Won 10/02 race at Charlotte. Only two Top 10 finishes at Charlotte since ‘06. Average finish of 17.6 in 15 career starts.
- Scott Speed… Finished 10th at Atlanta, 16th at Texas. Y!-C2
- Marcos Ambrose… Average finish of 24.0 last at Charlotte. ATL 11th, TX 17th.
- Sam Hornish Jr…. Has finished 13th and 16th in the last two spring races at Charlotte. Average finish of 22.8 in four career starts. Y!-C3
- Paul Menard… Average finish of 26.5 in six career starts at Charlotte. Y!-C4
- Bill Elliott… Long shot value play. Finished 15th, 29th last year at Charlotte. ATL 16th, TX 25th
- Regan Smith… Average finish of 21.0 in ‘08 at Charlotte, no starts last year. ATL 14th, TX 21st
- David Stremme… Average finish of 21.3 in seven career starts at Charlotte.
- David Ragan… Average finish of 22.0 last year at Charlotte.
- Bobby Labonte… Two-time winner at Charlotte. Finished 22nd at Atlanta, 23rd at Texas.
- Casey Mears… Won 5/07 race at Charlotte, only one Top 10 since.
- Elliott Sadler… Average finish of 25.6 in 23 career starts at Charlotte.
- David Gilliland… Average finish of 26.0 last year at Charlotte.
- Travis Kvapil… Finished 30th at Atlanta, 24th at Texas.
- Kevin Conway… Finished 31st at Atlanta, 27th at Texas.
- Robby Gordon… Average finish of 27.9 in 19 career starts at Charlotte.
- Max Papis… Finished 34th at Atlanta, 22nd at Texas.
- Tommy Baldwin Racing TBA entry (Johnny Sauter?)… Possible start and park.
- J.J. Yeley… Likely start and park.
- Reed Sorenson… Likely start and park.
- Mike Bliss… Likely start and park.
- Joe Nemechek… Likely start and park.
- Michael McDowell… Likely start and park.
- Dave Blaney… Likely start and park.
- Todd Bodine… Likely start and park.
Printable NASCAR TV Schedule for May 2010
May 1, 2010
May 2010 NASCAR TV Schedule in PDF Format
We hope that you can use our complete, printable, NASCAR broadcast television schedule for April 2010. This one includes the NASCAR TV schedule for the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR programming on ESPN, ESPN2, Speed and Fox for the entire month of April.
Click here for a printable NASCAR TV schedule for May 2010
The April 2010 NASCAR schedule includes races at Richmond International Raceway, Darlington Raceway, the Monster Mile at Dover Downs and the All-Star race and Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speeedway. If you like our printable features, sign up for the On Pit Row NASCAR Newsletter below.
NASCAR Fantasy Tool 2009 Average Finish at Atlanta, Texas and Charlotte [24 degree, 1.5 mile quad-ovals]
March 3, 2010
This table show the average finish of 35 drivers in the eight races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway (Formerly Lowe’s Motor Speedway) during the 2009 season. All of these tracks are 1.5 mile long and feature 24 degree corner backing.
| ATL 1 | TX 1 | CHA 1 | ATL 2 | CHA 2 | TX 2 | AVERAGE | |
| Jeff Gordon | 2 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 7.0 |
| Matt Kenseth | 12 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7.3 |
| Tony Stewart | 8 | 4 | 19 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 10.2 |
| Kasey Kahne | 7 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 33 | 11.7 |
| Ryan Newman | 22 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 11.8 |
| Kyle Busch | 18 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 12.3 |
| David Reutimann | 32 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 16 | 13.2 |
| Mark Martin | 31 | 6 | 17 | 5 | 17 | 4 | 13.3 |
| Denny Hamlin | 13 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 42 | 2 | 14.3 |
| Greg Biffle | 34 | 3 | 20 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 15.2 |
| Kurt Busch | 1 | 8 | 34 | 38 | 10 | 1 | 15.3 |
| Brian Vickers | 5 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 34 | 26 | 15.5 |
| Kevin Harvick | 4 | 27 | 41 | 2 | 18 | 5 | 16.2 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 9 | 2 | 13 | 36 | 1 | 38 | 16.5 |
| Jeff Burton | 14 | 9 | 25 | 34 | 14 | 9 | 17.5 |
| Clint Bowyer | 6 | 22 | 36 | 29 | 6 | 7 | 17.7 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 10 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 9 | 14 | 17.8 |
| Joey Logano | 30 | 30 | 9 | 22 | 5 | 19 | 19.2 |
| Juan Pablo Montoya | 27 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 35 | 37 | 19.5 |
| Casey Mears | 16 | 21 | 33 | 25 | 7 | 21 | 20.5 |
| Carl Edwards | 3 | 10 | 4 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 22.0 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 17 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 23 | 10 | 22.7 |
| Brad Keselowski | 23 | 12 | 35 | 23.3 | |||
| Paul Menard | 28 | 13 | 29 | 15 | 27 | 29 | 23.5 |
| Robby Gordon | 26 | 39 | 3 | 16 | 30 | 27 | 23.5 |
| Scott Speed | 35 | 18 | 24 | 28 | 18 | 24.6 | |
| David Ragan | 19 | 37 | 24 | 33 | 20 | 17 | 25.0 |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 11 | 20 | 40 | 17 | 38 | 25 | 25.2 |
| Elliot Sadler | 20 | 32 | 31 | 21 | 26 | 22 | 25.3 |
| Jamie McMurray | 15 | 38 | 21 | 28 | 33 | 20 | 25.8 |
| Bill Elliott | 36 | 28 | 15 | 19 | 29 | 34 | 26.8 |
| Marcos Ambrose | 38 | 41 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 15 | 27.5 |
| Bobby Labonte | 40 | 40 | 12 | 18 | 31 | 31 | 28.7 |
| Sam Hornish Jr. | 37 | 17 | 16 | 35 | 40 | 40 | 30.8 |
| Regan Smith | 31 | 32 | 31.5 |
NASCAR Fantasy Tool: 2009 Average Finish at Similar Tracks - Atlanta, Texas and Lowe’s UPDATED
November 3, 2009
This table is a companion for my NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview of the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Below are 32 drivers of fantasy interest and their average finish at three similar tracks: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Texas.
Also see my 2009 Average Finish at Chase Tracks Table which is very useful for planning your lineup for the rest of the season.
| Atlanta 1 | Texas | Lowe’s | Atlanta 2 | Lowe’s 2 | AVERAGE | |
| Jeff Gordon | 2 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 5.8 |
| Kasey Kahne | 7 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 7.4 |
| Matt Kenseth | 12 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 8.2 |
| Tony Stewart | 8 | 4 | 19 | 11 | 13 | 11.0 |
| Ryan Newman | 22 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 11.8 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 9 | 2 | 13 | 36 | 1 | 12.2 |
| David Reutimann | 32 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 12.6 |
| Kyle Busch | 18 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 12.6 |
| Brian Vickers | 5 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 34 | 13.4 |
| Mark Martin | 31 | 6 | 17 | 5 | 17 | 15.2 |
| Juan Pablo Montoya | 27 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 35 | 16.0 |
| Greg Biffle | 34 | 3 | 20 | 10 | 16 | 16.6 |
| Denny Hamlin | 13 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 42 | 16.8 |
| Brad Keselowski | 23 | 12 | 17.5 | |||
| Kurt Busch | 1 | 8 | 34 | 38 | 10 | 18.2 |
| David Stremme | 23 | 14 | 22 | 14 | 19 | 18.4 |
| Kevin Harvick | 4 | 27 | 41 | 2 | 18 | 18.4 |
| Carl Edwards | 3 | 10 | 4 | 37 | 39 | 18.6 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 10 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 9 | 18.6 |
| Jeff Burton | 14 | 9 | 25 | 34 | 14 | 19.2 |
| Joey Logano | 30 | 30 | 9 | 22 | 5 | 19.2 |
| Clint Bowyer | 6 | 22 | 36 | 29 | 6 | 19.8 |
| Casey Mears | 16 | 21 | 33 | 25 | 7 | 20.4 |
| Paul Menard | 28 | 13 | 29 | 15 | 27 | 22.4 |
| Robby Gordon | 26 | 39 | 3 | 16 | 30 | 22.8 |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 11 | 20 | 40 | 17 | 38 | 25.2 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 17 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 23 | 25.2 |
| Bill Elliott* | 36 | 28 | 15 | 19 | 29 | 25.4 |
| Jamie McMurray | 15 | 38 | 21 | 28 | 33 | 27.0 |
| Bobby Labonte | 40 | 40 | 12 | 18 | 31 | 28.2 |
| Sam Hornish Jr. | 37 | 17 | 16 | 35 | 40 | 29.0 |
| Marcos Ambrose | 38 | 41 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 30.0 |
*David Gilliland drove the No. 21 Wood Brothers in the second race at Atlanta. Bill Elliott cracked three ribs during a dirt bike accident and was unable to race. Elliott finished 19th two weeks ago at Kansas Motor Speedway in his first race back.
NASCAR Power Rankings: Chase Edition Week 6
October 20, 2009
All of Jimmie Johnson's biggest competitors fell wayside at Lowes and the 48 team capitalized on the situation with a win. The only team that can beat the 48 team right now is themselves. Performance/ Schedule wise I believe that my pre-Chase championship pick is the only team that has anything for the 48 right now. He'll need a little bit of help to catch up, but when it he does the 48 will be in trouble. If your a Mark Martin fan then you knew the bubble would burst somehow. I'm not saying that he's out of it yet, but the remaining races in my opinion give the others drivers an edge over the 5 team. Juan Pablo Montoya arguably had the fastest car at Lowes until his COT tank didn't hold up very well to the damage. Montoya now sits 6th in the points 195 points out of the lead. Lowes was a tough track on the Chase drivers and only 4 of them finished in the top ten. Kurt luckily was one of them, but don't expect Martinsville to be an easy task for this team. Martinsville and Talledega are "do or die" races for this team. If Stewart doesn't finish in the top 5 in both of these races and gain ground on Johnson then his Chase chances are effectively zero. If Kasey Kahne didn't have problems on the race restarts then the 9 might very well have been the car in victory lane. I expect Kahne to move up to about 7th in the points this season before his points progression stops. Hamlin had another good run but now he's back to 11th in the point standings. If you take away Hamlin's rookie Chase appearance then I believe Hamlin almost has to fall into people's conversations of who's the biggest choke in the Chase. Somehow Greg Biffle has managed to score the 8th most points in the series over the last 6 races. At Martinsville I expect this team to have a rough day. Roush cars usually always struggle at this track. If Newman's going to win a race this year then I believe it will have to happen either here at Martinsivlle or Talledega. These are both "skill tracks" which Newman has excelled at this year. It's shocking how uncompetitive Carl's been in the Chase. Last year Edwards was a challenger all the way until the end and this year they're not even close to being competitive. Jimmie Johnson isn't the only driver who's on the verge of making history this year. Vickers is on pace to easily surpass Hamlin's 2007 Chase record of finishing 580 points behind the champion. Vickers currently is 485 points behind.Charlotte
Who's Up
Who's Down
Biggest Gain This Week:
Kasey Kahne: 10th to 7th
Biggest Drop This Week:
Carl Edwards: 9th to 11th
No new drivers this week.
No drivers dropped out this week.
Rank: 1st
Change: 0
Jimmie Johnson- 6 Wins, 20 Top Tens
Rank: 2nd
Change: +2
Jeff Gordon- 1 Win, 22 Top Tens
Rank: 3rd
Change: -1
Mark Martin- 5 Wins, 18 Top Tens
Rank: 4th
Change: -1
Juan Pablo Montoya- 6 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens
Rank: 5th
Change: 0
Kurt Busch- 1 Win, 18 Top Tens
Rank: 6th
Change: 0
Tony Stewart- 4 Wins, 21 Top Tens
Rank: 7th
Change: +3
Kasey Kahne- 2 Wins, 13 Top Tens
Rank: 8th
Change: -1
Denny Hamlin- 2 Wins, 16 Top Tens
Rank: 9th
Change: -1
Greg Biffle- 9 Top Fives, 14 Top Tens
Rank: 10th
Change: +1
Ryan Newman- 5 Top Fives, 14 Top Tens
Rank: 11th
Change: -2
Carl Edwards- 7 Top Fives, 13 Top Tens
Rank: 12th
Change: 0
Brian Vickers- 1 Win, 13 Top Tens
NASCAR Fantasy Experts Picks: NASCAR Banking 500 from Lowes
October 14, 2009
| Expert | Website | Pick to Win | Finish | Experts Avg | |
| Ryan Rantz | On Pit Row | Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 7.53 | |
| James Jones | On Pit Row | Mark Martin | 17 | 7.93 | |
| Gerritt Ritt | FOX Sports | Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 9.93 | |
| Mike Harmon | FOX Sports | Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 10.10 | |
| Dennis Michelsen | RaceTalkRadio.com | Mark Martin | 17 | 10.30 | |
| Roger Rotter | FOX Sports | Ryan Newman | 11 | 10.40 | |
| Yahoo Users | Yahoo! Sports | Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 10.50 | |
| Cheryl Lauer | Speed Couch | Kasey Kahne | 3 | 10.87 | |
| Eric Brewer | Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 11.63 | ||
| Darren Fauth | Fantasy NASCAR Names | Kyle Busch | 8 | 11.97 | |
| Eric McClung | On Pit Row | Jeff Gordon | 4 | 12.13 | |
| Lou Lauer | USAR Fans | Marl Martin | 17 | 12.38 | |
| Charlie Turner | On Pit Row | Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 12.40 | |
| P J Walsh | FantasyNASCARPreview.com | Jeff Gordon | 4 | 12.77 | |
| Eric McGuire | FFToolbox | Jeff Gordon | 4 | 13.47 | |
| Bob Ellis | NASCAR Ranting and Raving | Jimmie Johnson | 1 | 16.23 | |
| Jon Rodgers | Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner | Carl Edwards | 39 | 19.00 | |
NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Bank of America 500 from Lowes
October 14, 2009
With two points-paying races per year, the Showdown and the All-Star Race, there is no shortage of data to analyze for Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Plus its 1.5-mile quad-oval configuration is similar to that of Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. I have put together a table with the average finishes from the two Atlanta races plus the events held at Texas and Lowe’s earlier in the year. Check my NASCAR Fantasy Tool: 2009 Average Finish at Similar Tracks - Atlanta, Texas and Lowe’s here.
Four drivers averaged a finish better than 10.0 in those four races: Jeff Gordon (6.3), Brian Vickers (8.3), Kasey Kahne (8.5) and Matt Kenseth (9.8). Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart both averaged 10.5.
Keep in mind the May race at Lowe’s was called early due to rain. David Reutimann, Ryan Newman and Robby Gordon finished in the top-three but had a combined average running position of 17.0. The race had only six caution laps, ending a streak nine races with at least 10 cautions.
Because the track is prone to mishaps, fantasy owners in allocation formats should consider saving their remaining starts of elite drivers for next week’s race at Martinsville Speedway, where the cream rises to the top. Talladega Superspeedway and Texas will follow; Dega is another race to save starts. The results of his week’s race will be important for setting the lineup for Texas.
Here’s an explanation of the highlighted text in the rankings. Download a printer-friendly version here.
- Y! A/B/C - The top options in the Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing game by driver list.
- Strong qualifier - History of winning poles or qualifying inside the top-five.
- Good qualifier - History of qualifying inside the top-10.
- Value play - Good recent history at this week’s track. Drivers to consider as low-rent salary cap options or alternative options in allocation formats.
- Risky play - Good overall history at this week’s track but poor recent finishes.
- Jimmie Johnson… Strong qualifier at Lowe’s, three poles including last year. Five-time winner (’03, ‘04 sweep, ‘05 sweep). Runner-up in both ‘06 races. 12.0 average finish in ‘07 races. DNF (engine) and sixth-place finish in 08. Started fifth in May race, finished 13th but an average running position of fifth. Has led laps in 15 of 16 career starts at Lowe’s. Y!-A1
- Jeff Gordon… Five-time winner at Lowe’s (’94, ‘97, ‘98, ‘99, ‘07) Seven poles (none since ‘00) Average finish of 6.0 in ‘08. Started third, finished 14th in May. Started fourth, finished eighth in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-A2
- Mark Martin… Four-time winner at Lowe’s (’92, ‘95, ‘98, ‘02) Two poles (’91). Since ‘07: 9.6 average start, 13.6 average finish. Finished fifth in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-A3
- Juan Pablo Montoya… Started ninth, finished eighth at May Lowe’s race, career bests. Finished third in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-B1
- Tony Stewart… Won at Lowe’s in ‘03. Average finish of 6.5 in ‘07. 14.5 last year, led an average of 32.5 laps. Started 28th, finished 19th in May. Finished 11th in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-B2
- Kasey Kahne… Three-time winner at Lowe’s (’06 sweep, ‘08) Winner, runner-up in ‘08 races. Started sixth, finished ninth at May race. Started second, won the Sep Atlanta race. Y!-B3
- Carl Edwards… Average finish of 10.0 in nine career starts at Lowe’s- only one finish worse than 15th, 33rd at last year’s Chase race. Y!-A4
- Greg Biffle… Average start 3.5, average finish 4.5 in ‘08 races at Lowe’s. Started 16th, finished 20th in May. Finished 10th in Sep Atlanta race.
- Denny Hamlin… Average finish of 20.0 in ‘08 Lowe’s races. Finished 11th in May race at Lowe’s. Finished sixth in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-B4
- Kurt Busch… Finished 34th at Lowe’s in May but an average running position of 13th. Average finish of 9.5 in ‘08. No finish better than 26th from ‘06-’07. Y!-B5
- Ryan Newman… Strong qualifier, eight poles at Lowe’s including the May race. Won both poles in ‘07 (DNFs in both). Average start of 27.0 last year, finished 21st in both. Runner-up in May race but had an average running position of 16th. Finished third in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-B6
- Brian Vickers… Led an average of 58.5 laps over the last four Lowe’s starts. Finished fifth in only ‘07 start at Lowe’s. DNF (crash) and 18th place finish in ‘08. Started eighth, finished fifth at May Lowe’s race. Finished seventh in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-B7
- David Reutimann… Won the May race at Lowe’s but had an average running position of 12th. Finished 10th in last year’s May race, finished 32nd in last race’s Oct race but had an average running position of 19th. Finished fourth in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-B8
- Kyle Busch… Led at least one lap in eight of the last nine Lowe’s races. Average finish of 4.0 over the last four races at Lowe’s. Started second, finished six and led 173 of 227 laps at May Lowe’s race- average running position of second. Finished 13th in Sep Atlanta race.
- Matt Kenseth… Won at Lowe’s in ‘00. Started 30th, finished 10th in May race. ‘07-’08: two DNFs, seventh and 12th-place finishes. Finished 12th in Sep Atlanta race.
- Clint Bowyer… Runner-up in 10/07 race at Lowe’s but average finish of 24.3 in the three races since. Finished 36th in May.
- Kevin Harvick… Only three top-10 finishes in 17 career starts at Lowe’s, two came as a rookie ‘01. Average finish of 13.5 in ‘08 races. Started 22nd, finished 41st in May race. Runner-up in Sep Atlanta race.
- Bobby Labonte… Strong value play. Two-time winner at Lowe’s (’95, ‘00) Has not finished worse than 18th since ‘98. Average finish of 13.0 since ‘07. Finished 12th in May race, 18th in Sep Atlanta race. Y!-C1
- Joey Logano… Started 14th, finished ninth in May race- first career Cup start at Lowe’s. Finished fifth in May Nationwide race at Lowe’s. Finished fifth in the Showdown, eighth in the All-Star Race.
- Sam Hornish Jr…. Strong value play. Average finish of 17.0 at Lowe’s since ‘08. Finished 35th in Sep Atlanta race. Won the Showdown. Y!-C2
- Jeff Burton… Three-time winner at Lowe’s (’99, ‘01, ‘08) Started 40th, finished 25th in May race. Five finishes of sixth or better in the seven races since ‘06.
- Marcos Ambrose… Started 23rd, finished 26th in May race- first career Cup start at Lowe’s. Average finish of 14.5 in ‘08 Nationwide races. Y!-C3
- Casey Mears… Won at Lowe’s in ‘07 but an average finish of 28.0 in the four races since.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Finished fifth and led 76 laps in last year’s May race at Lowe’s, 36th in the Oct race. Finished 40th in May race.
- David Stremme… Weak value play. Average finish of 13.0 in ‘07 races at Lowe’s. Started 35th, finished 22nd in May race. Finished 14th in Sep Atlanta race. Finished third in the Showdown.
- Martin Truex Jr…. Average finish of 23.6 at Lowe’s since ‘08. Won the pole, finished 26th in Sep Atlanta race.
- Bill Elliott… Long shot value play. Two-time winner at Lowe’s (’84, ‘87) Started 10th, finished 15th at the May race. Y!-C4
- AJ Allmendinger… Finished 20th, DNF (crash) in last year’s races at Lowe’s- 32nd in May race.
- Brad Keselowski… No career Cup stars at Lowe’s. Average finish of 6.3 in ‘08-’09 Nationwide races at Lowe’s.
- Jamie McMurray… Won as a rookie in ‘02 at Lowe’s. Finished fifth in last year’s Oct race, 21st in May race.
- Robby Gordon… DNF, 30th in last year’s races at Lowe’s. Finished third in the May race but had an average running position of 16th in May race. Finished 16th in Sep Atlanta race.
- David Ragan… Average finish of 11.0 in last year’s races at Lowe’s. Started 34th, finished 24th in May race.
- Scott Speed… Started and finished 18th in May race, first career Cup start at Lowe’s. Started 14th, finished 11th in May Nationwide race at Lowe’s.
- Elliott Sadler… Average finish of 19.6 at Lowe’s since ‘08. Finished 21st in Sep Atlanta race.
- Michael Waltrip… Average finish of 27.0 at Lowe’s since ‘08. Finished 32nd in Sep Atlanta race.
- Reed Sorenson… Average finish of 18.5 in last year’s races at Lowe’s. Started 42nd, finished 35th in May race.
- Paul Menard… DNF (overheating) and 26th in last year’s races at Lowe’s. Finished 29th in the May race, 15th in Sep Atlanta race.
- Travis Kvapil… Finished 26th, DNF (crash) in ‘08. Only four Cup starts this season. Average finish of 10.8 in four Truck series starts (’03-’08) at Lowe’s.
- John Andretti… No Cup starts at Lowe’s since ‘07.
- David Gilliland… Average finish of 30.6 at Lowe’s since ‘08.
- Dave Blaney… Average finish of 24.0 at Lowe’s since ‘08.
- Max Papis… Started 32nd, finished 42nd at the May race, first career Cup start at Lowe’s.
- Terry Labonte… No Cup starts at Lowe’s since ‘06.
- Joe Nemechek… Finished 37th in May race at Lowe’s and last year’s Oct race.
- Mike Bliss… Started seventh in the May race at Lowe’s, start and parked- first Cup start at Lowe’s since ‘06.
- Sterling Marlin… Likely start and park. Won in ‘01. Only six Cup starts this season. Started 26th, finished 31st in last year’s May race.
- Michael McDowell… No career Cup stars at Lowe’s. Started sixth, finished 20th in May Nationwide race at Lowe’s.
- Mike Wallace… Likely start and park. Started 40th, finished 31st in last year’s Oct race at Lowe’s. DNQ for seven of nine Cup races this season.
NASCAR Fantasy Tool: 2009 Average Finish at Similar Tracks - Atlanta, Texas and Lowe’s
October 14, 2009
This table is a companion for my NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview of the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Below are 31 drivers of fantasy interest and their average finish at three similar tracks: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Lowe’s. The table will be updated with this week’s results to be used for the upcoming Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 8th.
Also see my 2009 Average Finish at Chase Tracks Table which is very useful for planning your lineup for the rest of the season.
| Atlanta 1 | Texas | Lowe’s | Atlanta 2 | AVERAGE | |
| Jeff Gordon | 2 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 6.3 |
| Brian Vickers | 5 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 8.3 |
| Kasey Kahne | 7 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 8.5 |
| Matt Kenseth | 12 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 9.8 |
| Denny Hamlin | 13 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 10.5 |
| Tony Stewart | 8 | 4 | 19 | 11 | 10.5 |
| Juan Pablo Montoya | 27 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 11.3 |
| David Reutimann | 32 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 12.0 |
| Ryan Newman | 22 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 12.0 |
| Carl Edwards | 3 | 10 | 4 | 37 | 13.5 |
| Kyle Busch | 18 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 13.8 |
| Mark Martin | 31 | 6 | 17 | 5 | 14.8 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 9 | 2 | 13 | 36 | 15.0 |
| Greg Biffle | 34 | 3 | 20 | 10 | 16.8 |
| David Stremme | 23 | 14 | 22 | 14 | 18.3 |
| Kevin Harvick | 4 | 27 | 41 | 2 | 18.5 |
| Kurt Busch | 1 | 8 | 34 | 38 | 20.3 |
| Jeff Burton | 14 | 9 | 25 | 34 | 20.5 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 10 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 21.0 |
| Robby Gordon | 26 | 39 | 3 | 16 | 21.0 |
| Paul Menard | 28 | 13 | 29 | 15 | 21.3 |
| Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 11 | 20 | 40 | 17 | 22.0 |
| Joey Logano | 30 | 30 | 9 | 22 | 22.8 |
| Clint Bowyer | 6 | 22 | 36 | 29 | 23.3 |
| Casey Mears | 16 | 21 | 33 | 25 | 23.8 |
| Bill Elliott* | 36 | 28 | 15 | 19 | 24.5 |
| Jamie McMurray | 15 | 38 | 21 | 28 | 25.5 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 17 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 25.8 |
| Sam Hornish Jr. | 37 | 17 | 16 | 35 | 26.3 |
| Bobby Labonte | 40 | 40 | 12 | 18 | 27.5 |
| Marcos Ambrose | 38 | 41 | 26 | 23 | 32.0 |
*David Gilliland drove the No. 21 Wood Brothers in the second race at Atlanta. Bill Elliott cracked three ribs during a dirt bike accident and was unable to race. Elliott finished 19th two weeks ago at Kansas Motor Speedway in his first race back.



