The Citizen Soldier 400 at Dover International Speedway hosts the last event on the Chase schedule of the first round of eliminations. The race gets under way on Sunday, October 2nd at 1:00 p.m. ET. Qualifying was rained out at the Monster Mile, so the starting line-up was off driver points. That means that Ford representative Brad Keselowski sits on the pole with a heck of a pit stall.
Kyle Busch:
I don’t know what your thinking? But, I’m thinking Kyle Busch. The reigning and defending NASCAR champion is overdue. He’s solid here, and gets to take a spin or two in the Xfinity Series Chase to sharpen his game.
The Skinny:
Kyle Busch would secure advancement with 14 Points and a new winner. If there is a repeat winner, he would move forward with 9 Points. Obviously he continues with a triumph at the Monster Mile. He’s my A driver. Ugh.
Kyle Larson:
Kyle Larson just keeps bringing it. I’ll bet McMurray’s good just because. He needs to be or he’s out. He was best in the morning practice Friday, and I watched it. The track was busy. Anyways, he is an obvious pick, it not a fan favorite, to perform well. Chalk him in as my number one B driver for the Monster Mile.
The Skinny:
If there is a repeat winner, Kyle Larson would advance on points with 27. He could also clinch on points with a new winner and help. A win is not totally impossible. Larson can drive. The track suits him too.
Matty Kenseth:
The most under-rated driver on the Sprint Cup circuit. He always finds a way to win, heck he’s here. Matt Kenseth is a sure pick as a B driver this weekend. Considering he won this event last time thunder rolled here. Enough said.
The Skinny:
Matty K would clinch on points with 20 of them. If there is a repeat winner, he would need fifteen more points to advance. Kenseth races with Joe Gibbs and he won last time. It’s a B driver obvious moment.
Brad Keselowski:
The Team Penske Miller Lite Ford Fusion sits on the pole for the start of the Citizen Soldier 400. Brad Keselowski earned that spot. His four wins kept Joe Gibbs Racing honest. His crew chief is a wild card on a weather threatened race. Obviously he is an A driver top pick.
The Skinny:
Brad Keselowski would clinch on points with 12 Points. If there is a repeat winner, he would move on points with 7 Points. His fifth win wouldn’t surprise me. He’s also going on one of my tickets. Last year, Keselowski started 14th and finished sixth, but he’s better this year.
Carl Edwards:
A class act that’s representing his fair share over in the Gibbs Racing clan. Carl Edwards keeps winning. Back flips can be common around these parts. Furthermore, he was second fastest in practice, and is starting in the tenth spot. Edwards as a B driver is an absolute steal.
Jeff Gordon:
Out of the booth and out laying rubber. Jeff Gordon still rocks and rolls. He’s driving Junior’s rig, he’s a regular in the top 15. More importantly, he finishes the contests. Me you and everybody else can’t afford not to have him slated as a C driver.
Rick Hendrick Motorsports is Hendrick Motorsports, and these two are consummate pros. Jimmie Johnson is super fast here. Chase Elliott ripped through the first round of practice. Yeah, top 10 is not out of the question. It is the Monster Mile and Jeff Gordon does well in Dover.
Kurt Busch:
Kurt Busch also looks very playable as a B driver option. His boss, more than likely is shipping out of the Chase. Partly because Busch is going to finish better. Kevin Harvick has a win and is great here. They share info and Kurt is the veteran, really. A top ten performance keeps him alive and I see him advancing one more.
The Skinny:
Big brother Kurt Busch, will also clinch on points with 32 of them and a new winner. If there is a repeat victor, he would cinch on points with 27 Points. Nobody’s saying Busch is going to win the Citizen Soldier 400, but just towards the front at the end.
Martin Truex JR.:
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see him dictating the pace once again. Martin Truex Jr. has got some mojo flowing right now.
The Skinny:
The Furniture Row Racing driver was the fastest last week…well for most of the race. Martin Truex Jr. won the first race in the playoffs and played nice last week too. We all watched how bad he had to contain that Toyota from passing his teammate Matt Kenseth.
Points before take off at Dover.
1. Brad Keselowski
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Kyle Busch
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Joey Logano
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Denny Hamlin
8. Jimmie Johnson
9. Chase Elliott
10. Carl Edwards
11. Kurt Busch
12. Kyle Larson
13. Jamie McMurray
14. Austin Dillon
15. Tony Stewart
16. Chris Buescher
