I would like to welcome Kyle Busch back to the series and I hope he is healthy enough to contend for some wins this season. After this weekend’s race we will be a third of the way through the season and there are eight drivers qualified for the Chase with eight spots yet to fill. Remember, we still have two road course races to go and another restrictor plate race before the start of the Chase.
COCA-COLA 600
This week the series remains in Charlotte at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the running of the Coca-Cola 600. This is the longest race of the season in terms of mileage and this race could take it’s toll on engines. Charlotte is another of the mile and a half tracks that are very numerous on the circuit. One thing I like about this race is that it starts with daylight and ends after dark. That means the crews need to keep adjusting the cars to keep them in contention for the win. Those who are fast early in the race often find themselves out of contention with an ill handling car as the race gets closer to the conclusion.
Kevin Harvick: I think Kevin had the best long run car in the All-Star race and I will pick him to win his third race of the season this weekend. Kevin has had fast cars all year and he hasn’t had many issues with his equipment. He seems to communicate well with his crew chief and then the correct adjustments are made to the car. They never seem to get very excited and with two wins on the season, there is no reason for them to. He also won this race two years ago, finished second in it last year, and won the fall race at this track last season.
Jimmie Johnson: With seven career wins in twenty-seven starts at Charlotte, Jimmie is always a contender at the end of these races. He wasn’t particularly fast in the All-Star race last weekend, but I think this team will be much improved this weekend. Anyone who finishes in the top 5 in almost half of his starts at any track is a must have on your fantasy roster.
Joey Logano: Joey has yet to win a race here, but he has finished in the top ten in seven of his twelve starts. This is another driver who has had fast cars almost every week this year. My concern is the number of mechanical issues the Penske teams have had this season, and this is a long race that will be hard on equipment. They also seem to be fast early in races, but can’t quite make the necessary adjustments as the track changes during a race.
Kasey Kahne: Kasey has four career wins here and won this race three years ago. This is one of Kasey’s favorite places to run and I look for him to come away with another top ten finish this weekend. Kasey would like to pick up a win as soon as possible so he doesn’t have to wait until just before the Chase starts to get himself qualified.
Jeff Gordon: Jeff has five career wins at Charlotte and is looking for his first win of the season. He finished second here last October and he has finished in the top ten in over half of his forty-four career starts here. This team needs to have a good run and get some confidence back in Jeff’s final full-time season.
Matt Kenseth: Matt has always run well at Charlotte and has two wins to show for it. He is another driver who has finished in the top ten in just over half of his thirty-one starts here. This team already has a win this season and is qualified for the Chase so they don’t have any pressure on them. They can take a chances to try and win a few more races before the Chase begins.
Kyle Busch: Kyle has never won a race at Charlotte and 600-miles is going to test his endurance a little bit after breaking his leg and ankle in a crash at Daytona at the beginning of the season. I think he should be fine for this race as there isn’t a lot of shifting to do. His real test will come on the road course race in California a month from now.
Denny Hamlin: Denny won his first race at Charlotte last week in the All-Star race. Now he looks to win his first points race here. He has eleven top ten finishes in his nineteen starts and has a lot of confidence after last weekend’s win. This team needs to stay ahead of the changing track conditions which is where they seem to struggle as races progress this season.
Jamie McMurray: Jamie has two career wins at this track and he always seems to run well in the big races. He finished in the top five in both of his races here last year and this team has had a good season so far. I think they will pick up a win and make the Chase this year and that is all you can ask for if you are a driver.
Kurt Busch: Kurt picked up his only points race win here back in 2010. He has been very good every week since missing the first three races of the season due to a suspension and already has picked up a win and is qualified for the Chase. Kurt won’t be happy with only one win before the Chase and the attitude he has is to go out and do everything in his power to win every race he is entered in.
YAHOO! FANTASY NASCAR PICKS FOR CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Yahoo Driver Group A
- Kevin Harvick
- Jimmie Johnson
Yahoo Driver Group B
- Kasey Kahne
- Jamie McMurray
- Kurt Busch
- Martin Truex Jr.
Yahoo Driver Group C
- Chase Elliott
- Danica Patrick
MY TOP-5 OVERALL AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
- Kevin Harvick
- Jimmie Johnson
- Kasey Kahne
- Matt Kenseth
- Kyle Busch
Dark Horse: Paul Menard
Stay Away From: Brad Keselowski