Ice Picks – Richmond International Raceway – Fantasy Insider
Sep 5, 2014; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) practices at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
This week’s Ice Picks/Fantasy Insider is for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.
This race will be a no holds barred race with five drivers tied with three wins going for the extra win to achieve the advantage of those extra three points to start the Chase.
Top speeds after first practice:
#4 Kevin Harvick 129.112
#2 Brad Keselowski 128.805
#22 Joey Logano 128.712
#55 Brian Vickers 128.419
#99 Carl Edwards 128.065
Brad Keselowski was fast all day on Friday, as he took the pole for Saturday night. Brad finished fourth in the first Richmond race this year. Keselowski isn’t ranked in the top 10 of the driver ratings, but Penske has tapped some horsepower for both Keselowski and Logano. Look for Brad to be there in the end.
Joey Logano starts fifth and isn’t even ranked in driver ratings for Richmond. His win in the first Richmond race has earned the respect of his competitors as one to watch Saturday night. He led 46 laps and made the right adjustment on the last pit stop to take the win. Look for Logano to lead more than 46 laps this time around.
Jeff Gordon unloaded fast as he topped the charts for a 10 lap average. He ranks fifth all time among all active drivers with two career wins and dominated the field in the first Richmond race by leading 173 laps. Look for Gordon to run red-hot Saturday night.
The Jimmie Johnson vacation is over; his team will be in top form Saturday night, looking to get the edge with a win before the Chase starts. He ranks 10 all time among all active drivers at Richmond with three wins, five top fives and eight top 10s. All Hendrick cars are in the Chase now, so no more fooling around experimenting. Jimmie finished 32nd in the first Richmond with mechanical problems three laps down. I don’t see this being a repeat Saturday night.
If Kevin Harvick had a descent pit crew this year, he would be lights out and the heavy favorite to win the Chase. He ranks third with three wins, seven top fives and 16 top 10s. He led 23 laps back in April before his pit crew fell apart. I look for Harvick to be there at the end.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has to be considered for a top five run after finishing seventh at the first Richmond race where he led seven laps before time ran out. His starting way back in 24th position, and this race could easily turn in Jr.’s favor if it turns into a fuel mileage event.
Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 36 wins, followed by Ford with 30, and Toyota with seven wins.
Only 22 victories have come from the pole at Richmond in 116 races and 36 total victories by the front row starters. The top 10 produces the most wins at Richmond with 90, and 13 winners have have come from starting spots outside the top 20. Clint Bowyer was the last winner outside the top 20 to win when he started 31st in 2008. It was a fuel mileage race.
Look for all the big guns firing on all cylinders Saturday night as they look to add to those all important win points to start the Chase.
Here are my Ice Picks for Richmond:
A List
Kevin Harvick- to good here to be left out.
Jeff Gordon- very fast during practice = a possible win.
Jimmie Johnson- time to show the Chase field why his won 6 of them.
B List
Brad Keselowski- has the pole
Joey Logano- won this race in April and could do a sweep.
Denny Hamlin- will contend Saturday night with the best pit crew.
Ryan Newman- Has won at Richmond before.
C List
Kyle Larson- starts eighth, looking to improve on his 16th place finish in April.
Race will be televised on ABC. Thanks for sticking with me during the regular season. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Download the phone app to get all your sports fix throughout the year from Fansided. Thanks for stopping in.