UNB! NETWORK STAFF REPORT
From NASCAR.com
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| Jeff Zelevansky/2015 Getty Images |
Jimmie Johnson
2015 season stats: Four wins, 10 top fives, 15 top 10s and 747 points.
Past four races: 10th at Watkins Glen, 6th at Pocono-2, 15th at Indianapolis and 22nd at Loudon.
Track history: One win, five top fives and 11 top 10s in 27 starts.
2015 results at track: 19th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 102.5 (2nd of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Since his Dover win, we haven't heard a ton from Johnson, but he's churned out six top 10s in the nine races since. Some wonder if he is just playing possum before the Chase with his playoff position secured. But the recent overall struggles of the Hendrick cars throw a little cold water on that theory. Despite having just one win at Michigan, Johnson has some strong loop data at the Irish Hills. He has led the most laps (565) and has the third-best average running position (11.491) since 2005.
Past four races: 10th at Watkins Glen, 6th at Pocono-2, 15th at Indianapolis and 22nd at Loudon.
Track history: One win, five top fives and 11 top 10s in 27 starts.
2015 results at track: 19th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 102.5 (2nd of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Since his Dover win, we haven't heard a ton from Johnson, but he's churned out six top 10s in the nine races since. Some wonder if he is just playing possum before the Chase with his playoff position secured. But the recent overall struggles of the Hendrick cars throw a little cold water on that theory. Despite having just one win at Michigan, Johnson has some strong loop data at the Irish Hills. He has led the most laps (565) and has the third-best average running position (11.491) since 2005.
Kyle Busch
2015 season stats: Four wins, five top fives, six top 10s, one pole and 361 points.
Past four races: 2nd at Watkins Glen, 21st at Pocono-2, 1st at Indianapolis and 1st at Loudon.
Track history: One win, four top fives and six top 10s in 21 starts.
2015 results at track: 43rd in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 88.3 (13th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Welcome to the top 30 in points Kyle Busch. That has entered him into the Chase Grid thanks to his four wins, but he must stay in the top 30 from now until the regular-season final at Richmond to make the Chase. Michigan will be his first test to remain in the top 30. His 20.0 average finish is his fourth-worst among active tracks and his best finish in his past four races was a 31st-place showing in this race in 2013.
Past four races: 2nd at Watkins Glen, 21st at Pocono-2, 1st at Indianapolis and 1st at Loudon.
Track history: One win, four top fives and six top 10s in 21 starts.
2015 results at track: 43rd in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 88.3 (13th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Welcome to the top 30 in points Kyle Busch. That has entered him into the Chase Grid thanks to his four wins, but he must stay in the top 30 from now until the regular-season final at Richmond to make the Chase. Michigan will be his first test to remain in the top 30. His 20.0 average finish is his fourth-worst among active tracks and his best finish in his past four races was a 31st-place showing in this race in 2013.
Kevin Harvick
2015 season stats: Two wins, 15 top fives, 19 top 10s, one pole and 823 points.
Past four races: 3rd at Watkins Glen, 42nd at Pocono-2, 3rd at Indianapolis and 3rd at Loudon.
Track history: One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s and one pole in 29 starts.
2015 results at track: 29th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 90.2 (9th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Harvick was roughly two corners away from a win at Watkins Glen but his No. 4 Chevrolet ran dry and he came up just short. Nonetheless an impressive rebound from an early exit the week before at Pocono due to a blown engine. In June, Harvick led a race-high 63 laps, but a cut tire left him a lap down. Overall though, Harvick has been strong in the Irish Hills with four runner-up showings in a row before the June result. In the loop data era, Harvick is the best closer at Michigan.
Track history: One win, seven top fives, 12 top 10s and one pole in 29 starts.
2015 results at track: 29th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 90.2 (9th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Harvick was roughly two corners away from a win at Watkins Glen but his No. 4 Chevrolet ran dry and he came up just short. Nonetheless an impressive rebound from an early exit the week before at Pocono due to a blown engine. In June, Harvick led a race-high 63 laps, but a cut tire left him a lap down. Overall though, Harvick has been strong in the Irish Hills with four runner-up showings in a row before the June result. In the loop data era, Harvick is the best closer at Michigan.
Joey Logano
2015 season stats: Two wins, 13 top fives, 16 top 10s, four poles and 781 points.
Past four races: 1st at Watkins Glen, 20th at Pocono-2, 2nd at Indianapolis and 4th at Loudon.
Track history: One win, three top fives, eight top 10s and one pole in 13 starts.
2015 results at track: 5th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 91.8 (8th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: This time, fuel mileage was on the side of Logano. A week after running dry with the lead late at Pocono, the Team Penske driver scored a road-course win with a late pass of Kevin Harvick as he was out of fuel. The win brought to an end the recent close but no cigar calls Logano has had. Now, he heads to Michigan where he has five straight top 10s, including a win in this race in 2013, which was also his first victory with Penske.
Past four races: 1st at Watkins Glen, 20th at Pocono-2, 2nd at Indianapolis and 4th at Loudon.
Track history: One win, three top fives, eight top 10s and one pole in 13 starts.
2015 results at track: 5th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 91.8 (8th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: This time, fuel mileage was on the side of Logano. A week after running dry with the lead late at Pocono, the Team Penske driver scored a road-course win with a late pass of Kevin Harvick as he was out of fuel. The win brought to an end the recent close but no cigar calls Logano has had. Now, he heads to Michigan where he has five straight top 10s, including a win in this race in 2013, which was also his first victory with Penske.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2015 season stats: Two wins, 11 top fives, 13 top 10s and 750 points.
Past four races: 11th at Watkins Glen, 4th at Pocono-2, 22nd at Indianapolis and 5th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s and two poles in 32 starts.
2015 results at track: 2nd in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 98.0 (5th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: For someone not known to be much of road racer, the 11th-place showing was solid for Dale Jr. The expectations will be higher at Michigan where he is a two-time winner and was most recently the runner-up in June. Earnhardt is pretty solid on loop data in the Irish Hills as well with the fourth-highest of quality passes (41.5), fourth-most green flag passes (1,549), fifth-best average running position (12.471) and fifth-most laps led (288).
Past four races: 11th at Watkins Glen, 4th at Pocono-2, 22nd at Indianapolis and 5th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s and two poles in 32 starts.
2015 results at track: 2nd in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 98.0 (5th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: For someone not known to be much of road racer, the 11th-place showing was solid for Dale Jr. The expectations will be higher at Michigan where he is a two-time winner and was most recently the runner-up in June. Earnhardt is pretty solid on loop data in the Irish Hills as well with the fourth-highest of quality passes (41.5), fourth-most green flag passes (1,549), fifth-best average running position (12.471) and fifth-most laps led (288).
Matt Kenseth
2015 season stats: Two wins, eight top fives, 14 top 10s, two poles and 703 points.
Past four races: 4th at Watkins Glen, 1st at Pocono-2, 7th at Indianapolis and 6th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, 13 top fives and 19 top 10s in 32 starts.
2015 results at track: 4th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 101.2 (3rd of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Kyle Busch's hot streak to jump into the top 30 in points may be getting all the headlines, but Kenseth has been extremely consistent during JGR's surge back into spotlight this summer. In his last five races, Kenseth has not finished worse than seventh, while only leading five laps during that time and stealing a win at Pocono on fuel mileage. His 10.5 average finish at Michigan is third-best among active drivers and that's with just one top 10 there in his past four starts.
Past four races: 4th at Watkins Glen, 1st at Pocono-2, 7th at Indianapolis and 6th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, 13 top fives and 19 top 10s in 32 starts.
2015 results at track: 4th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 101.2 (3rd of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Kyle Busch's hot streak to jump into the top 30 in points may be getting all the headlines, but Kenseth has been extremely consistent during JGR's surge back into spotlight this summer. In his last five races, Kenseth has not finished worse than seventh, while only leading five laps during that time and stealing a win at Pocono on fuel mileage. His 10.5 average finish at Michigan is third-best among active drivers and that's with just one top 10 there in his past four starts.
Kurt Busch
2015 season stats: Two wins, eight top fives, 13 top 10s, three poles and 659 points.
Past four races: 5th at Watkins Glen, 37th at Pocono-2, 8th at Indianapolis and 10th at Loudon.
Track history: Three wins, five top fives, 10 top 10s and two poles in 29 starts.
2015 results at track: 1st in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 89.9 (10th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Busch rebounded from his worst finish of the season at Pocono with a stealth top-five finish at Watkins Glen. Now, he heads to Michigan, where he won the rain-shortened race in June but has an average finish of 21.3. One trend to note from his two previous Michigan wins, Busch followed those up with finishes outside the top 15. In the loop data era, Busch has led the third-most laps (324) at Michigan.
Past four races: 5th at Watkins Glen, 37th at Pocono-2, 8th at Indianapolis and 10th at Loudon.
Track history: Three wins, five top fives, 10 top 10s and two poles in 29 starts.
2015 results at track: 1st in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 89.9 (10th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Busch rebounded from his worst finish of the season at Pocono with a stealth top-five finish at Watkins Glen. Now, he heads to Michigan, where he won the rain-shortened race in June but has an average finish of 21.3. One trend to note from his two previous Michigan wins, Busch followed those up with finishes outside the top 15. In the loop data era, Busch has led the third-most laps (324) at Michigan.
Brad Keselowski
2015 season stats: One win, five top fives, 14 top 10s and 719 points.
Past four races: 7th at Watkins Glen, 2nd at Pocono-2, 10th at Indianapolis and 2nd at Loudon.
Track history: Three top fives and five top 10s in 12 starts.
2015 results at track: 6th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 89.0 (11th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: The hometown hero for this weekend's race has found his stride since the middle of the summer with five straight top 10s and 210 laps led in that time (in the previous 17 races, Keselowski had led only 198 laps). While the 2012 champion is winless at his home track, he does have three straight top 10s there. In the loop data era, he is the fourth-best closer, gaining 21 spots over the final 10 percent of races at Michigan.
Past four races: 7th at Watkins Glen, 2nd at Pocono-2, 10th at Indianapolis and 2nd at Loudon.
Track history: Three top fives and five top 10s in 12 starts.
2015 results at track: 6th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 89.0 (11th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: The hometown hero for this weekend's race has found his stride since the middle of the summer with five straight top 10s and 210 laps led in that time (in the previous 17 races, Keselowski had led only 198 laps). While the 2012 champion is winless at his home track, he does have three straight top 10s there. In the loop data era, he is the fourth-best closer, gaining 21 spots over the final 10 percent of races at Michigan.
Martin Truex Jr.
2015 season stats: One win, six top fives, 15 top 10s and 714 points.
Past four races: 25th at Watkins Glen, 19th at Pocono-2, 4th at Indianapolis and 12th at Loudon.
Track history: Four top fives and six top 10s in 19 starts.
2015 results at track: 3rd in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 79.1 (17th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Truex has locked up a spot in the Chase, but his 2015 results since the last visit to Michigan have been troubling. He has just one top 10 in the seven races since with a 22.4 average finish. In the 15 races prior, he had 14 top 10s and an average finish of 7.7. The Irish Hills have been hit and miss for Truex in recent years. He has two third-place finishes in his past five races there, but he also has two finishes of 36th-or-worse in that stretch as well.
Track history: Four top fives and six top 10s in 19 starts.
2015 results at track: 3rd in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 79.1 (17th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Truex has locked up a spot in the Chase, but his 2015 results since the last visit to Michigan have been troubling. He has just one top 10 in the seven races since with a 22.4 average finish. In the 15 races prior, he had 14 top 10s and an average finish of 7.7. The Irish Hills have been hit and miss for Truex in recent years. He has two third-place finishes in his past five races there, but he also has two finishes of 36th-or-worse in that stretch as well.
Denny Hamlin
2015 season stats: One win, six top fives, nine top 10s, one pole and 631 points.
Past four races: 27th at Watkins Glen, 22nd at Pocono-2, 5th at Indianapolis and 14th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, five top fives and eight top 10s in 19 starts.
2015 results at track: 11th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 88.2 (14th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Hood trouble led to problems early for Hamlin at Watkins Glen. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver's season is a tough one to figure out. Yes, he has a win and is locked into the Chase, but every time you start to think the 11 team has turned a corner on consistency something like what happened at Watkins Glen pops up. Since winning the June race at Michigan in 2011, Hamlin has an average finish of 22.1 in the eight races since.
Past four races: 27th at Watkins Glen, 22nd at Pocono-2, 5th at Indianapolis and 14th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, five top fives and eight top 10s in 19 starts.
2015 results at track: 11th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 88.2 (14th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Hood trouble led to problems early for Hamlin at Watkins Glen. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver's season is a tough one to figure out. Yes, he has a win and is locked into the Chase, but every time you start to think the 11 team has turned a corner on consistency something like what happened at Watkins Glen pops up. Since winning the June race at Michigan in 2011, Hamlin has an average finish of 22.1 in the eight races since.
Carl Edwards
2015 season stats: One win, two top fives, six top 10s, two poles and 589 points.
Past four races: 8th at Watkins Glen, 10th at Pocono-2, 13th at Indianapolis and 7th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s and one pole in 22 starts.
2015 results at track: 12th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 100.5 (4th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Edwards has found his groove with four top 10s in his past five races as the series rolls into Michigan. The 2-mile track is one of his best as his 9.8 average finish is best among active drivers. He is currently in a three-race run without a top 10 there, which is the longest top 10 drought of his career at Michigan. With the speed he has shown in recent weeks, expect that to change.
Past four races: 8th at Watkins Glen, 10th at Pocono-2, 13th at Indianapolis and 7th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s and one pole in 22 starts.
2015 results at track: 12th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 100.5 (4th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Edwards has found his groove with four top 10s in his past five races as the series rolls into Michigan. The 2-mile track is one of his best as his 9.8 average finish is best among active drivers. He is currently in a three-race run without a top 10 there, which is the longest top 10 drought of his career at Michigan. With the speed he has shown in recent weeks, expect that to change.
Jamie McMurray
2015 season stats: Two top fives, seven top 10s and 635 points.
Past four races: 40th at Watkins Glen, 15th at Pocono-2, 16th at Indianapolis and 26th at Loudon.
Track history: One top five and five top 10s in 25 starts.
2015 results at track: 7th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 72.1 (21st of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: McMurray's involvement in a chain-reaction wreck around the midpoint of the Watkins Glen race sent him to his worst finish of the season since Atlanta and his seventh straight finish outside the top 10. McMurray's top 10 at Michigan in June was his first top 10 in the Irish Hills since 2008, a stretch of 12 races. In the loop data era, McMurray has the most green flag passes (1,755) at Michigan.
Past four races: 40th at Watkins Glen, 15th at Pocono-2, 16th at Indianapolis and 26th at Loudon.
Track history: One top five and five top 10s in 25 starts.
2015 results at track: 7th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 72.1 (21st of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: McMurray's involvement in a chain-reaction wreck around the midpoint of the Watkins Glen race sent him to his worst finish of the season since Atlanta and his seventh straight finish outside the top 10. McMurray's top 10 at Michigan in June was his first top 10 in the Irish Hills since 2008, a stretch of 12 races. In the loop data era, McMurray has the most green flag passes (1,755) at Michigan.
Paul Menard
2015 season stats: Two top five, four top 10s and 622 points.
Past four races: 13th at Watkins Glen, 11th at Pocono-2, 14th at Indianapolis and 25th at Loudon.
Track history: Four top fives and six top 10s in 18 starts.
2015 results at track: 8th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 71.9 (22nd of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: The heat wave is here and Menard is still holding a Chase spot in large part due to his consistency of churning out top-15 finishes, while others around him in the standings see disaster strike. The RCR driver may be in a position to extend his hold on a spot via the points at the 2-mile track. He has five top-10 finishes, including three fourth-place finishes in his last six races at Michigan.
Past four races: 13th at Watkins Glen, 11th at Pocono-2, 14th at Indianapolis and 25th at Loudon.
Track history: Four top fives and six top 10s in 18 starts.
2015 results at track: 8th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 71.9 (22nd of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: The heat wave is here and Menard is still holding a Chase spot in large part due to his consistency of churning out top-15 finishes, while others around him in the standings see disaster strike. The RCR driver may be in a position to extend his hold on a spot via the points at the 2-mile track. He has five top-10 finishes, including three fourth-place finishes in his last six races at Michigan.
Jeff Gordon
2015 season stats: Three top fives, 12 top 10s, three poles and 620 points.
Past four races: 41st at Watkins Glen, 3rd at Pocono-2, 42nd at Indianapolis and 9th at Loudon.
Track history: Three wins, 19 top fives, 27 top 10s and six poles in 45 starts.
2015 results at track: 21st in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 93.6 (7th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: 42nd-and 41st-place finishes sandwiched around a fuel mileage third-place effort are far from ideal for the four-time champion. Gordon's hold on a points spot to make the Chase is far from secure but he is the defending race winner at Michigan. However, the Irish Hills have been a mixed bag for Gordon as he has a win and three sixth-place finishes in his past eight races there. The other four race results in that stretch? All outside the top 10, with a finish no better than 17th.
Past four races: 41st at Watkins Glen, 3rd at Pocono-2, 42nd at Indianapolis and 9th at Loudon.
Track history: Three wins, 19 top fives, 27 top 10s and six poles in 45 starts.
2015 results at track: 21st in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 93.6 (7th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: 42nd-and 41st-place finishes sandwiched around a fuel mileage third-place effort are far from ideal for the four-time champion. Gordon's hold on a points spot to make the Chase is far from secure but he is the defending race winner at Michigan. However, the Irish Hills have been a mixed bag for Gordon as he has a win and three sixth-place finishes in his past eight races there. The other four race results in that stretch? All outside the top 10, with a finish no better than 17th.
Ryan Newman
2015 season stats: Four top fives, 10 top 10s and 613 points.
Past four races: 15th at Watkins Glen, 23rd at Pocono-2, 11th at Indianapolis and 11th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, five top fives, seven top 10s and one pole in 28 starts.
2015 results at track: 18th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 77.6 (18th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Five straight finishes outside the top 10 has left Newman's with close to no margin of error going forward as he pursues a spot in the Chase Grid and a new winner would really make things tighter for last year's runner-up. A top 10 at Michigan may be unlikely for Newman. In his past five races at the track, he has a best finish of 11th.
Past four races: 15th at Watkins Glen, 23rd at Pocono-2, 11th at Indianapolis and 11th at Loudon.
Track history: Two wins, five top fives, seven top 10s and one pole in 28 starts.
2015 results at track: 18th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 77.6 (18th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: Five straight finishes outside the top 10 has left Newman's with close to no margin of error going forward as he pursues a spot in the Chase Grid and a new winner would really make things tighter for last year's runner-up. A top 10 at Michigan may be unlikely for Newman. In his past five races at the track, he has a best finish of 11th.
Clint Bowyer
2015 season stats: One top five, nine top 10s and 612 points.
Past four races: 6th at Watkins Glen, 8th at Pocono-2, 6th at Indianapolis and 34th at Loudon.
Track history: One top five and 11 top 10s in 19 starts.
2015 results at track: 10th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 82.5 (16th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: That is now six top 10s in eight races for Bowyer in his pairing with crew chief Billy Scott after just three in the previous 14 races with Brian Pattie. The new pairing started in the June race at Michigan and will look to build off their solid run there. The Irish Hills have been good to Bowyer of late as he has nine straight top 10s at the 2-mile track.
Past four races: 6th at Watkins Glen, 8th at Pocono-2, 6th at Indianapolis and 34th at Loudon.
Track history: One top five and 11 top 10s in 19 starts.
2015 results at track: 10th in the Quicken Loans 400.
Driver rating at track: 82.5 (16th of 53 drivers).
Quick hit: That is now six top 10s in eight races for Bowyer in his pairing with crew chief Billy Scott after just three in the previous 14 races with Brian Pattie. The new pairing started in the June race at Michigan and will look to build off their solid run there. The Irish Hills have been good to Bowyer of late as he has nine straight top 10s at the 2-mile track.
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