Power Rankings – Chicagoland Speedway – Fantasy Insider
Sep 6, 2014; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) throws hats to fans during the ceremony honoring the 16 drivers who qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup after the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
This week’s Power Rankings for Chicagoland Speedway is from the city with broad shoulders, for the MYAFIBSTORY.COM 400 on Fantasy Insider.
Sixteen drivers will compete on a process of elimination during the ten remaining races to decide this years Sprint Cup Champion.
The list of the sixteen drivers according to how they will start the 2014 Chase:
Brad Keselowski – 4 wins, 2012 pts (leader)
Joey Logano – 3 wins, 2009 pts, -3
Jeff Gordon – 3 wins, 2009 pts, -3
Jimmie Johnson – 3 wins, 2009 pts, -3
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 3 wins, 2009 pts, -3
Kevin Harvick – 2 wins, 2006 pts, -6
Carl Edwards – 2 wins, 2006 pts, -6
Kurt Busch – 1 win, 2003 pts, -9
Kyle Busch 1 win, 2003 pts, -9
Denny Hamlin – 1 win, 2003 pts, -9
Kasey Kahne -1 win, 2003 pts, -9
A.J. Allmendinger – 1 win, 2003 pts, -9
Aric Almirola – 1 win, 2003 pts, -9
Matt Kenseth 14th in points, 2000 pts, -12
Ryan Newman 15 th in points, 2000 pts, -12
Greg Biffle 16th in points, 2000 pts, -12
Three points are awarded for each win during the 26 race regular season and drivers with no wins get no bonus points. Only 16 qualify for this year’s Chase.
Brad Keselowski leads the standings with four wins. He ranks eighth in driver ratings for Chicagoland and ranks third during the past five years with a win, two top fives and 3 top 10s. His average start is 12.8, but his average finish is 7.8, a stat you can’t ignore. His 1278 laps led during the 26 race schedule this year is a career high for Brad and tops all drivers in laps led this year to this point in the season. Kes won the first race of the Chase in 2012 in Chicagoland and looks to be a favorite to hoist the Sprint Cup this year.
Joey Logano had a break out season this year in his second season with Team Penske. Logano has an average start of 9.8 for his career at Chicagoland but his average finishes have been dismal at 19.8 with one top 10. This year is a different story, as his average start on cookie cutter tracks is 5.4 with a win, seven top fives and 10 top 10s. I would be disappointed if Logano didn’t make the final four at Homestead.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t ranked in the top 10 in driver ratings for Chicagoland. His average start is 16.5 with a top five and two top 10s and an average finish of 17.3. This year is a different chapter, as he ranks second with two wins, eight top fives and 12 top 10s on mile-and-a-half tracks. His average finish on cookie cutter tracks is 8.9, a drastic improvement over years past, and he needs to continue that performance if he wants to punch his ticket to Homestead as a qualifier for the Sprint Cup.
Kevin Harvick has to be considered for Chicagoland with two wins, seven top fives and eight top 10s for his Chicagoland career. His career average start was 18.7 when he was with Richard Childress Racing and an average finish of 9.9 ranks him fourth among all active drivers. This year with Stewart-Haas Racing has elevated his career average start on 1.5-mile tracks to 5.8 with five poles, two wins, seven top fives and nine top 10s. Harvick’s team will have Tony Stewart’s pit crew for the Chase, a welcomed sight for Harvick to finally get that elusive Championship.
Matt Kenseth didn’t get any wins during the regular season but he has won a championship and excels on cookie cutter tracks. He ranks third among all active drivers at Chicagoland with a pole, one win, three top fives and five top 10s with an average finish of 11.8. He ranks fourth this year among all active drivers with eight top fives and 11 top 10s on cookie cutter tracks with an average finish of 11.4. Kenseth has a chance of winning the Chase without posting a regular season win.
Jimmie Johnson tops all active drivers in driver ratings for Chicagoland without winning one single race for his career. His stats lead the pack with two poles, seven top fives and 10 top 10s. His average start is 7.7 and average finish is 8.9. This year, Jimmie ranks sixth on cookie cutter tracks with three wins, five top fives and 11 top 10s this year. His average start is 12.5 with an average finish of 12.6 on 1.5 mile tracks. You could never underestimate the heart of a champion with six championships in nine years.
Jeff Gordon ranks fifth in driver ratings for Chicagoland, and he’s been lights out on cookie cutter tracks with a pole, three wins, five top fives and 12 top 10s, leading all active drivers this year. His average start is 8.9 and average finish is 8.1. He’s one of the favorites for this year’s championship, and if he continues, he will get his fifth title.
Here are the power rankings for Chicagoland, based on the last five years:
10 Kevin Harvick – 2 top 5s and 2 top 10s, average finish 12.8.
9 Kyle Busch- 2 top 5s and 2 top 10s, average finish 11.3.
8 Ryan Newman- 1 top 5 and 3 top 10s, average finish 11.3.
7 Jimmie Johnson- 2 top 5s and 3 top 10s, average finish 10.5.
6 Carl Edwards- 2 top 5s and 2 top 10s, average finish 9.0.
5 Kasey Kahne- 1 top 5 and 2 top 5s, average finish 8.3.
4 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.- 1 top 10, average finish 8.0.
3 Brad Keselowski- 1 win, 2 top 5s and 3 top 10s, average finish 7.8.
2 Clint Bowyer- 1 top 5, 4 top 10s, average finish 7.5.
1 Tony Stewart- 1 win, 1 top 5 and 3 top 10s, average finish 5.3.
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