Ice Picks – Pure Michigan 400
Aug 15, 2014; Brooklyn, MI, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick during qualifying for the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
This weeks Ice Picks goes back to the Irish Hills of Brooklyn Michigan to give you the best possible fantasy picks for this weekend’s Pure Michigan 400.
Ice picks eight drivers from three different groups to give you a little bit of everything the various fantasy games offer.
All drivers are grouped in three different groupings according to last year’s final points standings, and all rookies automatically are in the C list.
For example, if a driver finishes between 1-10 in last year;s final points standing, that driver is in the A list. If a driver finishes between 11-25 in the final points standings, he will be part of the B List. Finally, if drivers finish between 25 on back, they will be part of the C list, including road race ringers and rookies.
first practice top speeds:
#22-Logano 204.545
#99-Edwards 204.111
#55-Vickers 203.920
#41-Busch 203.897
#17-Stenhouse, Jr. 203.229
UPDATE: Ryan Truex out with a concussion. He’ll be replaced by JJ Yeley on Sunday.
Joey Logano continues his assault of defending his win last year by posting the fastest time in practice. His win last year was no fluke as he dominated late in the race to take the checker board flag for his first Michigan win. Joey has been solid at Michigan and a front row start makes him a favorite for Sunday. He led 29 laps in the first Michigan race and finished ninth. His price should be good on most fantasy teams.
It’s not easy repeating at Michigan; it’s only been done twice by two different drivers. Ryan Newman did it back in 2003-2004 . Newman ranks ninth in stats for the last five years at Michigan and his not even in the top 10 in driver ratings for Michigan. Newman had momentum going with solid top 10 finishes before he hit the spin cycle at Watkins Glen. He starts 12th for the Pure Michigan 400.
The other repeat winner is Greg Biffle who did in twice in 2004-2005 and again in 2012-2013. Biffle starts 11th and looks to get into the Chase to salvage his season. Greg has the best driver rating among all active drivers with one pole, four wins, 10 top fives and 14 top 10s. He should be good for a top 10 finish and an attractive fantasy price tag.
Jeff Gordon continues to be lights out this season by taking his second pole of the season in record time. Gordon ranks seventh all time in driver ratings for Michigan with six poles, one win, seven top fives and 14 top 10s in 44 Sprint Cup races. He led 36 laps and finished sixth earlier this year.
Carl Edwards hasn’t been heard of in awhile, but he unloaded fast and was in the hunt for Friday’s pole. Carl has the fourth best driver rating at Michigan with one pole, two wins, nine top fives and 14 top 10s. It’s been an unproductive year for Roush Fenway Racing but Carl can change that with a last lap dash.
Brian Vickers is a dark horse for this race; his one win, two top fives and seven top 10s for his career make his fantasy price tag very attractive to load up some big names on your team. This race is Vickers’ best shot to make the Chase. Go for it!.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. should have a solid top ten finish come Sunday. He ranks fifth in driver ratings for Michigan all time. His two wins, six top fives and nine top 10s is worthy of his price on most fantasy picks for the Chase stretch.
Austin Dillon might have a breakout race on Sunday, but he led two laps before tire problems prevented him from having a great finish. His price is right for a good top 12 finish.
Kevin Harvick led the most laps and finished second at the first Michigan race, running out of laps before Jimmie Johnson took the checkers. Kevin isn’t ranked for the driver ratings, but he’s been on the rise with one win, four top fives and five top 10s the past five years. He should be a contender come Sunday.
Here are my Ice Picks for the Pure Michigan 400:
A List
Kevin Harvick
Matt Kenseth
Kasey Kahne
B List
Joey Logano
Ryan Newman
Brian Vickers
Jamie McMurray
C List
Austin Dillon
FYI(for your information) Tony Stewart will not be driving this Sunday’s race. Jeff Burton will be in his place. If you want to read my take on the accident, click on Unfortunate Accident on Fansided’s stockcarspin.com Be sure to download the phone app for StockCarSpin to get the latest in NASCAR news and staff perspectives. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.Thanks for stopping in, Good Luck!
@JoeIcemanNieves