Practice sessions good indicators of race performance? – NASCAR
As the teams go back into the pits to analyse their practice sessions, we do a little analysis of our own.
Practices sessions are usually not very good indicators as to who will win the race. They are however, good indicators of the pace setters in the race and the qualifying positions. A good track position will determine the race winner this time around which
makes the qualifying session all the more important.
Paul Menard set the fastest time in the practice session and it is believed that the non-Chase racers will play a huge role in this year’s Chase. With drivers like Menard, Kahne, Biffle and Bowyer running well in the last couple of weeks, the Chase racers
will be nervous about their positions and race points.
It is expected one of the Chase drivers will be driving down victory lane come Sunday and the favourite for the spot will be one of the Roush Fenway Ford Chasers, i.e. Matt Kenseth or Carl Edwards. They finished 2nd and 3rd in practice and looked happy with
their cars. Both drivers are coming into the race in good form and had they not messed each other up in the last race, they could have had better finishes. Kenseth has been particularly impressive and had that Chicago penalty not hit him, he would be in the
top 5 in the Chase. Both of them will definitely be there at the end and with fuel mileage not likely to play a part in this race, they both stand a good chance.
Speaking of fuel mileage, Tony Stewart has looked out of sorts so far. Stewart did say before the race that he is looking to survive this race and one can see why. Dover is not his favourite track and he did not have the look of the driver who has won two
consecutive races. But that is Stewart isn’t it? He looks down and out and then suddenly pulls a rabbit out of the hat and leaves everyone in awe. However, this will be too much for even Stewart and it is expected he can barely finishing in the top 10 this
time out.
The dark horse for the race will be Jimmie Johnson. He has looked more comfortable than he has ever been in the last couple of months. A lot of people are banking on his impeccable record at Dover, where he has been almost untouchable. But this is not the
Jimmie of the previous seasons. He has lacked that cutting edge this season and he is probably doubting himself for the first time in over five years.
There have been reports about him not getting along with crew chief Chad Knaus, exaggerated further by last week’s radio comments by Johnson to Knaus. However, it is believed that would have not affected Jimmie too much. He has shown the strength of his
character over the last few seasons and it is expected he will do well in Dover. He knows that this race is make-or-break for him in this season’s championship and he will give it all he has.
All this could be thrown out of the window come Sunday as the races we are seeing this year are becoming more and more unpredictable and exciting, which is great for the fans.
The new Chase format has really done wonders for NASCAR and it is expected to be decided on the final lap at Homestead. And so will NASCAR.
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