Ice Picks – Atlanta Motor Speedway – Fantasy Insider
Aug 16, 2014; Brooklyn, MI, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth during practice for the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Iceman’s Ice Picks for the Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Fantasy Insider.
Kevin Harvick continues to be “Freaky Fast” by flexing his Stewart-Haas horsepower and taking his sixth pole of the season for the Sunday Night Special.
First practice speeds:
#99-Edwards 192.855
#31-Newman 191.628
#9-Ambrose 191.417
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 191.199
#42-Larson 191.113
#14-Stewart was 10th fastest
Kevin has been carrying the Stewart/Haas banner all year-long and even though his lifetime stats are nothing to write home about, he’s with a new team that has invigorated his quest for a Chase championship. I like his chances Sunday night.
Brad Keselowski took the outside pole with Penske horsepower. Brad is another driver that hasn’t had much success at Atlanta, but as you mature you take care of your equipment and let it loose at go time. Look for Brad to get that fourth win of the season.
Bulls-eye continues to impress by taking the third starting spot. If there is any race on the schedule that will suit Kyle Larson, it’s this one. I would not be surprised if he lands in victory lane when the dust settles at Atlanta Sunday night.
Matt Kenseth has to be considered as one the favorites after claiming the fifth starting spot for Sunday night’s race.The fifth starting spot at Atlanta has produced the most winners since day one. Kenseth’s 8.6 finishing average is third best the past five years. Matt has never won at Atlanta, but the fifth starting spot might send Matt into the Chase.
My sleeper pick is Tony Stewart, who has the third best average finish the past five years at Atlanta. His two wins, six top fives and eight top 10’s the past ten years make him worthy of being picked. Smoke will rise and he will be on a mission for the remaining two races before the Chase. His price should be very attractive.
The pole position has produced the second most wins with 15, while the second spot has produced 12 winners. The last winner from the fifth starting spot was Jeff Gordon in 2011. Only seven races have been won at Atlanta starting from outside the top twenty.
Kyle Busch is the defending race winner and with a top 10 starting spot you can’t overlook him. His two wins, four top fives and five top 10s make him a threat. Look for Wild Thing to be there at the end.
Chevrolet has won three out the last five races at Atlanta; Toyota has two wins.
Goodyear is using the same tire from last year for Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, left side D 4384 and right side D 4602.
Here are my Ice Picks for Atlanta:
A List
Matt Kenseth- loves the cookie cutter tracks.
Kevin Harvick- looking for his second win at Atlanta win since 2001 .
Kyle Busch- is to good here to pass up.
Brad Keselowski- might get another win.
Ryan Newman- can taste the Chase field.
Tony Stewart- he’s on a mission to earn a Chase spot.
Joey Logano- will have a top five run.
C List
Kyle Larson- might be seeing the checkered flag up close and personal.
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