This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday's Dickies 500. To help you make your fantasy racing picks, RacingOne brings you our weekly detailed look at some of the field for the 334-lap event.
Who's HOT at Texas • Carl Edwards leads all drivers in average finish (4.0) and wins (2) with the COT. • Jimmie Johnson, the 2007 event winner, has a 5.0 average finish in his last four starts. • Jeff Gordon is coming off his first win at the track and leads all drivers with a 4.9 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009. • Matt Kenseth, who won in 2003, has finished ninth or better in seven of the last eight races. • Mark Martin, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart and Jeff Burton each have average finishes of 9.3 or better in the three races with the COT. • Greg Biffle, who led 93 laps in the spring, is coming off consecutive top fives.
Keep an Eye on at Texas • Kasey Kahne has recorded an average finish of 7.1 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009. • Juan Pablo Montoya will be driving the best chassis in the EGR stable. • Denny Hamlin will drive the same car that led 54 laps at Lowe's last month before engine problems. • Clint Bowyer has recorded two top 10s and has led 36 laps with the COT at Texas. • David Reutimann has the fourth-best average finish (10.9) on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009. • Dale Earnhardt Jr. will pilot the same car that led 41 laps at Kansas before suffering an engine failure. • Kurt Busch finished eighth in the spring at Texas and has led 240 laps on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
Track Performers Jeff Gordon leads all drivers with a 4.9 average finish on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009. Gordon won at Texas Motor Speedway in April for the first time after leading 105 laps. Kasey Kahne, who won in Spetember at Atlanta, is the only other driver with an average finish (7.1) of 10.0 of better. Tony Stewart (10.8) is third, with May Lowe's winner David Reutimann (10.3) fourth, and October Lowe's winner Jimmie Johnson (12.8) rounding out the top five. Gordon, Johnson, Kyle Busch, Greg Biffle, Mark Martin and Kurt Busch are the only drivers that have led more than 200 laps on 1.5-mile tracks. Johnson leads all drivers with 330 laps led. Based off 1.5-mile tracks in 2009: Las Vegas, Atlanta (1.54-mile), Texas, Lowe's, Chicago and Kansas.
* - The best average finish is based off a driver who has competed in every race during that time span.
For a complete look at more facts and stats for Texas Motor Speedway Click Here to view RacingOne's Dickies 500 pre-race facts and stats eBook.
Texas Loop Data Stat Leaders (2005-2009)
*Fastest Early in a Run
*Fastest Late in a Run
Avg. Running Position
1. Jimmie Johnson
1. Tony Stewart
1. Tony Stewart - 8.8
2. Tony Stewart
2. Denny Hamlin
2. Matt Kenseth - 9.0
3. Matt Kenseth
3. Carl Edwards
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 10.6
4. Carl Edwards
4. Matt Kenseth
3. Jimmie Johnson - 10.6
5. Greg Biffle
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5. Carl Edwards - 11.5
Laps in Top 15
*Quality Passes
*Driver Rating
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 2471
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - 373
1. Matt Kenseth - 105.8
2. Tony Stewart - 2445
2. Matt Kenseth - 315
2. Tony Stewart - 105.4
3. Matt Kenseth - 2437
3. Carl Edwards - 313
3. Jimmie Johnson - 103.8
4. Carl Edwards - 2311
4. Kurt Busch - 306
4. Carl Edwards - 102.4
5. Jimmie Johnson - 2173
5. D Hamlin/G Biffle - 288
5. Greg Biffle - 95.7
*Fastest Early In a Run: Ranks each driver during the first 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Fastest Late In a Run: Ranks each driver during last 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Quality Passes: Passing a car running in the Top 15 while under a green flag. *Driver Rating: Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
For a complete look at all the loop data statistics for Texas Motor Speedway Click Here to view RacingOne's Dickies 500 pre-race eBook.
Season Loop Data Leaders
*Fastest Early in a Run
*Fastest Late in a Run
Avg. Running Position
1. Jimmie Johnson
1. Jimmie Johnson
1. Jimmie Johnson - 8.0
2. Jeff Gordon
2. Denny Hamlin
2. Jeff Gordon - 10.7
3. Mark Martin
3. Mark Martin
2. Kurt Busch - 11.2
4. Kurt Busch
4. Carl Edwards
4. Tony Stewart - 11.5
5. Kyle Busch
5. Tony Stewart
5. Mark Martin - 11.7
Laps in Top 15
*Quality Passes
*Driver Rating
1. Jimmie Johnson - 8221
1. J.P. Montoya - 1868
1. Jimmie Johnson - 113.6
2. Mark Martin - 7791
2. Kurt Busch - 1737
2. Jeff Gordon - 102.1
3. Jeff Gordon - 7614
3. Matt Kenseth - 1712
3. Denny Hamlin - 101.4
4. Kurt Busch - 7332
4. Jimmie Johnson - 1594
4. Tony Stewart - 100.3
5. Denny Hamlin - 7149
5. Denny Hamlin - 1590
5. Mark Martin - 99.8
*Fastest Early In a Run: Ranks each driver during the first 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Fastest Late In a Run: Ranks each driver during last 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Quality Passes: Passing a car running in the Top 15 while under a green flag. *Driver Rating: Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
RacingOne Staff Picks Jeff Wackerlin: Kasey Kahne Pete Pistone: Matt Kenseth Rachael West: Mark Martin
Top 30 Driver Notes - Ordered by Current Standings
(All stats/notes are in regards to Texas Motor Speedway unless noted)
1. Jimmie Johnson: Winner of this event in 2007; Has an 8.5 average finish in 12 starts; Finished second in April; Has led 3300 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 552) that won at Dover in September.
2. Mark Martin: Finished sixth in first track start with Hendrick Motorsports in April; Finish was one of nine top 10s; Won the 1998 race with Roush Racing; Has led 220 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 555) in the Dickies 500.
3. Jeff Gordon: Coming off first win in 17 starts; Led 105 laps in April; Leads all drivers with a 4.9 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Finished second in this event last year.
4. Juan Pablo Montoya: Finished seventh in April for second top 10; Has a 20.4 average finish in five starts; Has a 15.6 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 819) that last finished third at Auto Club last month.
5. Tony Stewart: Finished fourth in first track start with Stewart-Haas in April; Posted one win and eight top 10s in previous 14 starts with Joe Gibbs Racing; Has recorded a 10.8 average finish on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
6. Kurt Busch: Has posted a 19.0 average finish in seven starts with Penske Racing; Finished eighth in the spring for third top 10 with the team; Has led 240 laps on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 702) in the Dickies 500.
7. Greg Biffle: Winner of the 2005 spring race; Led 93 laps and finished third in April for fourth top 10; Has led 247 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
8. Ryan Newman: Finished 15th in track debut with Stewart-Haas Racing in April; Posted one win and three top 10s in previous 11 starts with Penske Racing; Has posted an average finish of 14.0 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will race the same car (chassis No. 508) that finished ninth at Atlanta in September.
9. Kasey Kahne: Won the 2006 spring race from the pole; Has yet to finish in the top 15 in last six starts; Has led 130 laps and recorded an average finish of 7.1 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
10. Carl Edwards: Three-time winner; Leads all drivers with two wins and an average finish of 4.0 with the COT; Has posted a 16.8 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will race the same car (chassis No. 587) that finished 15th at Richmond in September.
11. Denny Hamlin: Has an 11.6 average finish in eight starts; Finished 12th in April; Has led 78 laps and has posted an average finish of 14.5 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 256) that led 54 laps at Lowe's last month before engine problems.
12. Brian Vickers: Has yet to finish in the top 10 in 10 starts; Has posted an average finish of 16.7 in the three starts with the COT; Has led 46 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
13. Kyle Busch: Has posted a 9.0 average finish in three starts with Joe Gibbs Racing; Four top-10 finishes in nine starts; Has led 250 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Dave Rogers will make debut as the No. 18 crew chief; Will race the same car (chassis No. 257) that finished 13th at Kansas last month.
14. Matt Kenseth: Winner of the 2002 race; Has finished ninth or better in seven of the last eight races; Has an 18.3 average finish and has led 102 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
15. Clint Bowyer: Last of three top 10s came in this event in 2008; Has a 16.4 average finish on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will race the same car (chassis No. 257) that finished sixth at Lowe's last month.
16. David Reutimann: Won the pole and led 40 laps en route to an 11th-place finish in April; Only top 10 in four starts came in this event last year; Has the fourth-best average finish (10.9) on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
17. Jeff Burton: Winner of the inaugural and 2007 spring race; Has posted five top 10s with Richard Childress Racing; Has led 61 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 289) in the Dickies 500.
18. Marcos Ambrose: Finished 41st in April after engine problems; Best finish (21st) in two starts came in this event last year; Has a 24.4 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
19. Joey Logano: Worst 1.5-mile speedway on the schedule based on his 35.0 average finish; Finished 30th in April; Has posted an average finish of 19.4 on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 258) that finished 14th at Auto Club last month.
20. Casey Mears: Finished 21st in track debut with Richard Childress Racing in April; Four top 10s in 11 overall starts came with Ganassi Racing; Has posted an average finish of 21.9 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 248) that last finished 11th at Auto Club last month.
21. Kevin Harvick: Last of five top 10s (seventh) came in this event last year; Has posted an average finish of 18.4 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will race the same car (chassis No. 285) that finished 10th at Martinsville last month.
22. Jamie McMurray: Last of six top 10s (third) came in this event last year; Has posted a 24.6 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 640) that finished 28th at Dover in September.
23. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Won the 2000 race for first of seven top 10s with Dale Earnhardt, Inc.; Has one pole and an average finish of 17.3 in three starts with Hendrick Motorsports; Has led 47 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will pilot the same car (chassis No. 556) that led 41 laps at Kansas before suffering an engine failure.
24. Martin Truex Jr.: Won the pole for this event in 2007; Last of four top 10s (eighth) came in this event last year; Has led 71 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will race the same car (chassis No. 082) that finished sixth and led 61 laps at Darlington.
25. Elliott Sadler: Won the 2004 race with Yates Racing; Has yet to post a top 10 in six starts with Richard Petty Motorsports (Gillett Evernham); Has posted an average finish of 25.8 on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
26. AJ Allmendinger: Has yet to finish in the top 20 in three starts; Will drive a Ford for the rest of the season; Has posted a 23.6 average finish on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
27. David Ragan: Has yet to post a top 10 in five starts; Best finish (11th) came in this event last year; Has posted a 29.4 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 615) that finished 35th at Kansas.
28. Reed Sorenson: Has yet to post a top 10 in seven starts; Finished 36th in track debut with Richard Petty Motorsports in April.
29. Sam Hornish Jr.: Coming off best finish (17th) in three starts; Has posted a 27.1 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
30. Bobby Labonte: Finished 40th in track debut with Hall of Fame Racing in April; Has yet to post a top 10 in last six starts; Finished in the top 10 in the first four events at the track with Joe Gibbs Racing; Scored two poles with JGR in 2003 and 2004.
