NEWS & STATS

Cup Preview Article

As the Sprint Cup Series heads to Texas Motor Speedway, the Chase has shifted from a battle for the title to an inevitable coronation of Jimmie Johnson. The aftermath of Talladega has the three-time defending champ sitting a comfortable 184 points ahead of his closest competitor. With three races remaining, it is tough to envision a scenario where Johnson doesn't win a record fourth straight title.

He might very well win the race this weekend as well. Earlier this season, Johnson finished second to his teammate Jeff Gordon at Texas. Gordon dominated the later stages of the event and led a race high 105 laps. Greg Biffle led 93 laps on the day and finished third, and Tony Stewart notched a fourth-place finish. Matt Kenseth completed the top-five finishers. With Mark Martin's sixth-place effort, and Carl Edwards' top 10, Roush Fenwway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports both placed three drivers in the top 10.

In this race last season, Edwards put on one of the more dominant performances in track history. He led 212 laps on his way to a season sweep at the 1.5-mile track. Gordon was second, and Jamie McMurray was third. Clint Bowyer finished fourth, and Greg Biffle rounded out the top five, making it three Roush Fenway Racing drivers among the top-five finishers. Only 12 cars remained on the lead lap when all was said and done.

With the championship drama now gone, it is time for teams to start building for next year. For fantasy owners, it is time to do the same and take notice of any late season trends that develop. For example, Elliott Sadler posted a top-10 finish at Talladega in his first race in a Ford this year. Sadler had his bets years while driving for Ford, and if he shows similar results the rest of the way, he could be a guy to watch next year.

It will be also be intriguing to monitor the performance of the Ford drivers that are using the new engine package. Matt Kenseth was very strong at Talladega in his first race with the F9 engine under the hood. Last year, David Reutimann closed the season on an incredible hot streak, and he parlayed that into a strong 2009 season. A savvy fantasy owner will always have an eye on the future. After all, complacency doesn't lead to success.

The Favorites


Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson finished first and second at Texas earlier this season, and the duo might do the same in the championship standings at the end of the year as well. Gordon has a win and a second-place effort in his last two starts at Texas. Meanwhile, Johnson has just one finish outside the top 15 in 11 career starts at the track.

Matt Kenseth has posted five straight finishes inside the top 10 at Texas, and his 9.7 career finishing average makes him one of two drivers that average a top 10 at the track. He has one victory at the track, along with three runner-up efforts. Kenseth delivered a strong fifth-place run earlier this year.

He is running out of chances to win this year, but Carl Edwards has a definite shot this weekend. He is the defending winner of this race, and he has been to victory lane in two of the last three races at Texas. Edwards' finishing average during that span is an impressive 4.0.

The Dark Horses


He emerged from the carnage at Talladega with his first top five in several months, Jeff Burton will look to keep the momentum going at Texas. He has five straight finishes inside the top 15 at the track, including a win. After a rough season, Burton and company could really use some strong runs heading into the offseason.

It has been feast or famine for Greg Biffle at Texas, but he has been very good when he can keep his car in one piece. He has four finishes of sixth or better at the track, including a trip to victory lane. His overall numbers aren't great, but he does have back-to-back top-five runs at the track.

In between engine failures and poorly-timed block attempts, Denny Hamlin has put together a solid Chase. He has been very consistent at Texas throughout his career, compiling an 11.6 finishing average. With the pressure of winning a title no longer in the equation, Hamlin can focus on trying to win races.

The Sleepers


In his last five starts, Jamie McMurray has four top-15 finishes at Texas. In his career, he has finished in the top 10 in half of his start at the track. He finished third in this race last season, and coming off a win at Talladega, his confidence should be at an all-time high.

After finishes of 43rd and 41st in his first two starts at Texas, David Reutimaan has posted finishes of 10th and 11th in his last two starts. His sudden success at the track has a lot to do with his growth as a driver, but he clearly has a feel for this 1.5-mile speedway. The next step for Reutimann is to turn his top 10s into top fives.

With five top-15 finishes in seven career Texas starts, Martin Truex Jr. could make a little noise this weekend. His eighth-place finish in this race last season was one of his four top 10s at the track. Truex Jr. doesn't have a lot of time left behind the wheel of the No. 1 car, but he could give his team something to remember him by with a strong run this weekend.

Struggling Drivers


Since notching a win and a second-place finish in his first three starts at Texas, Kasey Kahne has found nothing but trouble at the track. He hasn't finished better than 19th in his six starts since his win. Kahne normally excels at the 1.5-miel tracks, but Texas seems to have his number.

Brian Vickers is another driver that normally runs well at intermediate tracks that struggles at Texas Motor Speedway. He has compiled a 22.2 finishing average in nine starts at the track, and he has never cracked the top 10. Vickers hasn't even cracked the top 15 in his last four starts.

While the Roush Fenway Racing organization has found a lot of success at Texas, David Ragan has been an exception. He has three finishes of 37th or worse in five starts at the track. In a down season, it is hard to see Ragan running well at a place where he has never earned a top 10.