Power Rankings – Dover International Speedway – Fantasy Insider
Sep 20, 2014; Loudon, NH, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson prepares to get into his car during practice for the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
This week’s Power Rankings are for Dover International Speedway, for the AAA 400, on Fantasy Insider.
No driver has tamed the Monster Mile like Jimmie Johnson during his career in Sprint Cup. Looking inside the numbers, Jimmie has three poles, nine wins, 13 top fives and 18 top 10s. Johnson took all drivers to the wood shed earlier this year at Dover, starting fourth and leading 272 laps before taking the checkered flag for his ninth career Dover win. Johnson has been rather quiet during this year’s Chase and this track will be a welcomed site to get back in the thick of this year’s Chase.
Kyle Busch has the third best driver rating among all active drivers at the Monster Mile. His two wins, nine top fives and 12 top 10s make him a worthy contender for Dover. He started second back in June and led 81 laps before he was taken out in an accident. Busch showed some patience last week when he finished eighth in a race car that resembled a demolition derby. He needs to continue that never quit attitude for the remainder of his NASCAR career.
Just when you think Brad Keselowski might be so-so at Dover, think again. He finished second in the June race and led one lap. His career numbers are a pole, one win, three top fives and three top 10s. I can’t see Brad going away anytime soon after last week’s spin and came back to contend for the win.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been lights out over the last five races at Dover. He should have won last year when he took four tires and Jimmie took two. I guess team orders were a high priority that day when Matt Kenseth was putting the pressure on the Hendrick team for the Chase last year. Jr. has one pole, two top fives and four top 10s during the last five years at the Monster Mile, stats worthy for win consideration.
This race at the Monster Mile will be a tale of two races. You have the favorites going for supremacy and then you have eight place on back to 16th separated by only thirteen points ,trying to advance to the contender round. This will be a must watch race for any fan with the possibility of disaster looming around the concrete track, yikes!
Here are the Power Rankings for Dover, based on the last five years at the track:
10 Dale Earnhardt Jr.- 2 top 5s and 4 top 10s, average finish 13.9.
9 Carl Edwards- 3 top 5s and 5 top 10s, average finish 13.0.
8 Matt Kenseth- 1 win, 5 top 5s and 6 top 10s, average finish 12.8.
7 Joey Logano- 2 top 5s and 7 top 10s, average finish 11.7.
6 Kyle Busch- 1 win, 4 top 5s and 7 top 10s, average finish 11.6.
5 Kyle Larson- included for his performance all year, average finish 1 race 11.0.
4 Clint Bowyer- 2 top 5s and 7 top 10s, average finish 10.0.
3 Kevin Harvick- 1 top 5 and 6 top 10s, average finish 9.8.
2 Jeff Gordon- 3 top 5s and 3 top 10s, average finish 9.8.
1 Jimmie Johnson- 4 wins, 6 top 5s and 8 top 10s, average finish 5.8.
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