Ice Picks – Dover
May 16, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; The crash helmet of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) during practice for the Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
There’s only one driver that should come to mind when speaking of “The Monster Mile” — Jimmie Johnson.
In the past five years Jimmie has added one pole, three victories, five top-fives and 6 top-10s to his sandbox. Needless to say, he doesn’t play well with others when he tames the Monster Mile with an average start of 7.3 and finishes with an average of 6.4. He starts 4th Sunday, and I can’t see what will keep him from taking the checkers.
Brad Keselowski took his first pole at Dover in record time for Sunday’s race and is capable of taming the Monster with his win in 2012, but his average finish at Dover is not impressive at 16.0. Brad will benefit from Joey Logano, who was the third-fastest qualifier and loves this track by his brief record at Dover with two top-fives and six top-10s the past five years at his home track.
Top-10 qualifiers:
#2-Brad Keselowski won the pole for the FedEx 400
#18-Busch #22-Logano, #48-Johnson, #42-Larson, #24-Gordon, #11-Hamlin, #4-Harvick, #55-Vickers, #15-Bowyer
Kyle Busch starts outside pole and was fast during practice, topping the chart at 166.297, faster than Brad’s qualifying run of 164.444. Kyle will have to be dealt with on Sunday as he ranks second to Jimmie Johnson the past five years with one win, four top-fives and seven top-10s and an average finish of 7.8.
Practice Speeds:
#18-Busch 166.297
#14-Stewart 165.609
#42-Larson 165.183
#31-Newman 165.130
#2-Keselowski 164.888
For those picking a driver to make up the most positions on your fantasy league, look no further than Matt Kenseth. He qualified 21st but he has the second-best rating at Dover during his career including a win, four top-fives and five top-10s the past five years.
Tony Stewart won last year’s June race while Johnson dominated the September race during the Chase.
Hendrick Motorsports has the most wins at Dover in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 15.
Nine different manufacturers have won at Dover, led by Chevrolet with 34 victories; followed by Ford with 25.
Only 14% of all races have been won from the pole and two of those were by Johnson in 2009 and 2010.
The second starting spot produces the most winners at Dover at 15, while 69% of all Dover races are won from top-10 starting spots. Only five of 88 races have been won by starting outside the top-20.
This race was 500 miles at one time but now has been reduced to 400 miles, so track position is everything, as making up laps at Dover is very difficult along with the concrete surface filing down the tires.
Here are my Ice Picks for Dover:
A List
Jimmie Johnson- The best dive bomber into the concrete turns.
Matt Kenseth- with the second best rating at Dover is a go for me.
Kyle Busch- can give Jimmie a run for his money.
B List
Brad Keselowski- has won here before and has the pole.
Joey Logano- will give you good points on Sunday.
Brian Vickers- has been top 15 hot.
Greg Biffle- breaks through with a top ten.
C List
Kyle Larson- was fast during practice and is priced right on most fantasy games.
Groupings are based on last years final point standings, 1-10, 11-25 and 26 on up. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Good Luck!