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Fantasy Pick’Em: 2010 Auto Club 500

by Chris Leone, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2011 NASCAR schedule, video, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

I do weekly Fantasy Pick'Em columns here at OPR, as well as the occasional opinion and analysis piece. I also provide the IZOD IndyCar Series coverage. For more on that, head to my site, OpenWheelAmerica.com. My Twitter handle is @christopherlion.

February 18, 2010 12:27 am CST No Comments

One race down, 35 to go, as the Sprint Cup Series heads to Auto Club Speedway for the Auto Club 500. Jamie McMurray will look to repeat Matt Kenseth’s 2009 feat of sweeping the first two races of the season, at a track where he has an average finish of 16.4. California is McMurray’s fifth best track of those on the current schedule.

My pick for Daytona, Tony Stewart, finished 22nd, leaving me with 97 points on the weekend. My dark horse, John Andretti, slapped the wall and ended up 38th. As for my other three suggestions, only Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a strong run, finishing second; Mark Martin faltered to finish 12th and Marcos Ambrose blew a motor after 79 laps to wind up 41st. Not a great start to my year, but that’s Daytona.

If you’re looking for a sure bet at California, don’t just go by who won the 500; since Fontana assumed the second race of the season in 2005, only Kenseth has done the double. Jimmie Johnson finished second at the track in 2006, but in none of the other cases has the Daytona winner finished better than double digits. Daytona winners’ average finish at California over the past five years is an even 12, mostly brought up by those two.

The winners at California usually come from the middle of the pack at Daytona. Ignoring Kenseth’s win last year, the average finish of California winners at Daytona between 2005 and 2008 was 21.5.

Regardless of all that, my pick for California is Matt Kenseth. This one seems like an easy call. Roush Fenway Racing Fords have won the past five spring races at California, as well as 10 of 19 races at the track overall. Kenseth won this race in 2006, 2007, and last year. His average finish of 9.2 is third best among active drivers. A victory could propel Kenseth into the points lead.

As for a dark horse, I’m picking David Ragan. We can call him a dark horse, right? He still hasn’t won a Sprint Cup race, and he had a generally horrible season in 2009. But his seventh place in the fall California race was his second best finish of 2009. He’s also never failed to finish below 17th at the track, which is either a really good omen for Sunday or a hint that he’s overdue for a bad finish.

Per tradition, three other suggestions:

Jimmie Johnson’s an easy pick. You don’t just stumble into a 5.8 average finish in the Sprint Cup Series at any given track – you’ve gotta be good. Johnson’s obviously good, as his four Sprint Cups attest to. He’s even better at California, with no finishes worse than 16th, no DNFs, zero finishes off of the lead lap, and at least 31 laps led in the past six races at his home track. I only pick against him because none of his four wins at the track came in February.

Kyle Busch is a solid, yet interesting, choice if you’re looking to spice things up. He’s not as easy of a pick as the Roush or Hendrick drivers, but he did have a streak of eight California top-10s before last fall’s 24th-place finish, and not even Jimmie Johnson (six and counting) can say that.

I’m going to give Jamie McMurray the benefit of the doubt and my final pick. The past four years have been pretty abysmal for the Daytona 500 winner, especially at California, where a sixth place finish in his second race with Roush was the lone high point; since then, he’s never been better than 16th at the track. But McMurray was never worse than 15th when he drove for Chip Ganassi, his current owner, with an average finish of 7.2 in five starts between 2003 and 2005.

Filed under: Auto Club Speedway, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, One and Done NASCAR Fantasy Racing, jimmie johnson

Tagged with: Auto Club 500, Auto Club Speedway, David Ragan, Fantasy Pick'Em, Jamie McMurray, jimmie johnson, Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth

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Matt Kenseth Loses Shot at NASCAR Immortality

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

March 3, 2009 8:19 am CST 5 Comments

Matt Kenseth was the talk of Las Vegas for most of the week; as NASCAR took center stage in Sin City, until it was all gone in an instant.

Kenseth had the opportunity to do something that no other driver had ever done on the circuit; win the first three races in a season. Not only had it never been done in NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series, it had never been done it any of its top three traveling series. The #17 team was set to give fans something to root for or against during the Shelby 427.

Engine problems took the suspense away early. Before five laps had been run at the 1.5 mile high banked track Kenseth’s power plant went up in smoke. The engine in Kenseth’s ride was not the only one to have problems over the weekend. Kenseth’s team mate, David Ragan endured a similar failure during the race.

The engine problems were not limited to the Fords at Roush-Fenway Racing. Mark Martin also had one blow in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, resulting in a fortieth place finish. Even eventual race winner, Kyle Busch, had to move from his number one starting position, to the back of the pack, because of an engine change before the start of the race.

And that all sends us toward this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

Are all the engine problems the past two races just bad parts or something else?

Let u know what you think and we may use your comments on this week’s radio show. Listen live to ON PIT ROW Tuesdays from 5-7pm ET.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: Kyle Busch, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, NASCAR

Tagged with: David Ragan, Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Roush-Fenway Racing, Shelby 427

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Fantasy Racing: Smoke and Mirrors

by Luke, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2011 NASCAR schedule, video, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

Luke is the head honcho of ThunderLounge.com, and hails from a storied background of sitting on pit walls and getting knocked off, through over a decade of service in our nations Navy. Typically off-beat, never backing down and a witty sense of humor make for a show that's not to be missed.

March 2, 2009 10:28 am CST 4 Comments

the calm befor the storm.

Smoke and mirrors. Yep, that sums it up nicely for a lot of NASCAR Fantasy Racing enthusiasts. Participants in the On Pit Row NASCAR Fantasy Racing game, One and Done.

Aside from Matt Kenseth coming out of the box with both guns blazing, spurs dug in deep around the bucking bronco of his race car, NASCAR Fantasy Racing guru’s are left scratching their heads after being just three races into the current season thanks to the smoke. That smoke is from all the blown engines amongst many teams who were considered good, safe picks in the fantasy world.

Mark Martin? Always the safe bet, he has blown up two weeks in a row with cars that could have been contending at the end.

Carl Edwards blew up with two laps to go at Vegas, while running 4th. Too much pressure in the oil system is the word. Must be that extra tight lid.

Matt Kenseth? Blew up a couple laps into the event, as did teammate David Ragan.

Think Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray were worried? Jamie and his team were, especially when he reported vibrations before the sticks were crossed on the flag stand.

Dale Earnhardt Junior, always a fan favorite, blew up at California.

The examples above don’t even take into consideration all of the engines which were changed before the green flag flew on Sunday. This leaves but one thing to seriously remember when it comes to Fantasy Racing. There is no safe bet. Not even on the man who was poised to break the overall streak of races without a DNF, who also holds the modern-era record. Kevin Harvick had a hole in the oil filter at California, although they thought he had blown up as well. Had there been a few more laps remaining, he may have made it back onto the track. He didn’t, and his streak ended at 81 races without a DNF. Just 3 races short of the overall record. Clint Bowyer is hot on his heels though, with 76 races (and counting) without a DNF. If he can manage to keep his streak alive he would eclipse Harvick’s record at Talladega (82) and the overall record at Charlotte in the 600 (85).

No pressure, Clint. Just remember, the Jayhawks had no pressure in their 25 point payback romp over Mizzou yesterday.

As the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season plows on, keep your picks in check. Just don’t be surprised if your pick goes up in smoke, unless you’re one of the lucky ones who’s driver happens to instead watch it in their rear view mirror.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media, Inc

Filed under: One and Done NASCAR Fantasy Racing

Tagged with: Carl Edwards, David Ragan, Hendrick Motorsports, Las Vegas Motors Speedway, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, NASCAR fantasy racing, Shelby 427

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New Monday Morning Crew Chief with Mindy

by Charlie Turner

Thanks for stopping by OnPitRow.com and the Bench Racing with Steve and Charlie blog. The best NASCAR and IndyCar news and opinion, exclusive pictures and video. I'm Charlie Turner. Follow me on Twitter @onpitrow

September 22, 2008 3:16 pm CDT No Comments

NASCAR, if you don’t stop cancelling qualifying, Mindy’s gonna kick someone’s tail!

She likes the Biffster and thinks the Shrub is losing it. But don’t take my word for it. Afterall, It’s my fault that this is so late.

Watch the Monday Morning Crew Chief right here.

Filed under: Bench Racing TV, Chase for the Cup, Craftsman Truck Series, David Ragan, Dover International Speedway, Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Gillett Evernham Motorsports, Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, NASCAR video

Tagged with: Bench Racing TV, David Ragan, Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Monday Morning Crew Chief, NASCAR drug policy, NASCAR video

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Signing A.J. Allmendinger Would Be A Steal For Ganassi

by Matt Mercer, Special To NASCAR commentary and driver pictures, 2011 NASCAR schedule, video, Bench Racing With Steve and Charlie

I'm the former blogger of The Catfish Show NASCAR Blog and a contributor to On Pit Row. Follow me on Twitter: @mattmercer

September 21, 2008 7:58 pm CDT 4 Comments

Should Red Bull Racing make the (stupid) decision to fire A.J. Allmendinger, Ganassi will score a coup. Allmendinger has returned from the brink in fine fashion this season after getting Mike Skinner in the car to confirm what he was feeling. A.J. has gone on to score no fewer than 9 finishes in the top half of the field, with 5 top 15 finishes – a marked improvement from his 2007 and early 2008 results. What’s more, Allmendinger won the Sprint Open in May and has run in the top 5 during races, specifically his race at California a few weeks ago. Yet he will likely face termination, possibly as soon as this week or next, to make room for Scott Speed. Sure, Speed has talent coming out of his painted toenails, but there is no reason to rush him to Cup – especially not to replace Allmendinger, who has shown more improvement than any driver except for David Ragan in 2008.

Should it happen, Ganassi will likely swoop in and sign Allmendinger to drive the #41 in 2009 – or sooner, should Reed Sorenson cause enough trouble to get released early to his new ride at GEM. It wouldn’t be the first time for Allmendinger and Ganassi to work together, last season Ganassi put A.J. in the #42 Busch car 7 races. It’s believed that this seat time helped A.J. immensely. Not to mention, as others have, Ganassi has multiple teams in open-wheel and sports cars to scratch whatever itch his drivers may have. That could include moving to the IRL and compete for the championship, or an Indy 500 win.

Simply put, I don’t want Allmendinger gone from Red Bull. He has done too much and shown too much promise to be shown the door. If it happens, I look at Ganassi being his best option. Juan Pablo Montoya’s been running a bit better lately, perhaps showing that the disbandment of the #40 team has helped. I know this: A.J. Allmendinger belongs in the Sprint Cup Series – whether it’s with Red Bull or Ganassi. He’ll prove to whoever doubts him that the talent and desire are there. He just needs the team and the equipment.

Photo credit: Icon Sports Media

Filed under: A J Allmendinger, Chip Ganassi Racing, David Ragan, NASCAR, Red Bull Racing, Reed Sorenson, Scott Speed

Tagged with: A.J. Allmendinger, Busch Series, Chip Ganassi Racing, David Ragan, Ganassi Racing, GEM, Indy 500, IRL, Juan Pablo Montoya, Red Bull, Red Bull Racing, Reed Sorenson, Scott Speed, Sprint Open

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Kasey Kahne and David Ragan Fail to Make The Chase

by Steve Wronkowicz

I am co-host of the syndicated radio show: ON PIT ROW. Over ten years on the air and three on the net; see what can happen when I don't let the facts get in the way of my opinions.

September 9, 2008 5:26 am CDT No Comments

Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin are among the drivers to survive in “the Race for the Chase.”

While Jimmy Johnson was on his way to another Sprint Cup victory, the race within a race to make it into The Chase saw David Ragan crash out. Kasey Kahne never had enough race car to make it past Clint Bowyer, thus eliminating any hope for a Dodge team to make it into NASCAR’s post season.

Tony Stewart was agitated with Greg Zippadelli and threw his Home Depot crew under the bus on the team radio for their inability to get his car out of the pits ahead of race winner Jimmy Johnson during the final pit stop.

The scenario that brought the fans to their feet however was the contact between points leader Kyle Busch and fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Junior was trying to pass The Shrub on the inside making slight contact and spinning him out. A similar incident occured in the first race at Richmond International Raceway but with the roles reversed, which was the beginning of the season long hatred of Busch.

And that brings us to this week’s BUZZ ON PIT ROW:

Was Junior’s spin out of Kyle Busch retaliation for the incident at the first Richmond race or coincidence?

Let us know what you think and we could use your reply on this week’s ON PIT ROW. Listen live from 5-7pm ET here. Stay tuned to INSIDE ARCA from 7-8:30pm ET. Call the show at 877-502-8255 with your opinions.

Photo credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Filed under: Chase for the Cup, Clint Boyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr., David Ragan, Kasey Kahne, NASCAR, Tony Stewart

Tagged with: Clint Bowyer, David Ragan, Kasey Kahne, Race for the Chase, Tony Stewart

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