Fast Forward ~ The 5-Hour Energy 400 At Kansas Fantasy Race Picks And Preview
“The future is like a corridor into which we can see only by the light coming from behind.”
–Edward Weyer, Jr.
The Track: Kansas
Speedway
Season Race #: 11 of 36 (05-10-14)
Track Size: 1.5-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 17 to 20 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 10 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,685 feet
Backstretch Length: 2,207 feet
The Race: The 5-hour
ENERGY 400 Benefiting Special Operations Warrior Foundation
267 Laps/ 400.5 Miles
Defending Champion: Matt Kenseth, 115.096 MPH
Most recent winner: Kevin Harvick, 114.884mph
Track Record: Denny Hamlin, 144.122 MPH- April, 2012
Race Record: Denny Hamlin, 144.122 MPH- April, 2012
Qualifying record: Matt Kenseth, 191.864mph
April, 2013
TV: FOX, 7:30PM EST
The Contenders:
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Kansas
Jimmie Johnson........................ 118.9
Matt Kenseth............................. 109.6
Greg Biffle................................ 106.9
Jeff Gordon................................ 99.6
Tony Stewart............................... 97.5
Carl Edwards.............................. 96.6
Kevin Harvick.............................. 95.9
Martin Truex Jr............................ 91.5
Kasey Kahne.............................. 91.1
Clint Bowyer............................... 90.1
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from
2005-2013 races (12 total) among active drivers at
Kansas Speedway.
The History:
·
Groundbreaking was
held on May 25, 1999.
·
The official
opening of Kansas Speedway was in 2001, with the first events being an ARCA
race and a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race on the same day – June 2.
·
The first NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series race was on Sept. 30, 2001 – won by Jeff Gordon.
·
During the 2012
season, between the April and October events the 1.5-mile track underwent a
repave adding variable banking in the corners.
The Picks:
Before we get into this week, how did we all do at Talladega?
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Mr. Seven |
4 |
38 |
375 |
413 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Mr. Winner |
34 |
10 |
398 |
408 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
Mr. Pole |
33 |
0 |
389 |
389 |
24 |
2 |
1 |
Vivian |
88 |
19 |
341 |
360 |
53 |
2 |
2 |
PattyKay Lilley |
20 |
8 |
350 |
358 |
55 |
1 |
0 |
Brian Marchetti |
34 |
10 |
342 |
352 |
61 |
0 |
1 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
14 |
1 |
345 |
346 |
67 |
0 |
1 |
Robyn Vandenberg |
48 |
22 |
317 |
339 |
74 |
1 |
0 |
Alabama Fitz |
15 |
41 |
290 |
331 |
82 |
1 |
1 |
Nate |
88 |
19 |
306 |
325 |
88 |
0 |
1 |
Darrell |
4 |
38 |
280 |
318 |
95 |
0 |
2 |
Barbara |
20 |
8 |
305 |
313 |
100 |
1 |
2 |
Kevin Abraham |
13 |
31 |
280 |
311 |
102 |
0 |
1 |
JIM FITZGERALD: Yes…I scored one point. Before we get started, I want to wish a past due Happy Birthday to our own Kevin Abraham! Okay,Fitz, you had the top score! Get us started. Who do you have for this week?
ALABAMA FITZ: Well, it won't be Keselowski this week...he is too scary right now. If he wins, then so be it. To be honest, I only looked at three drivers this week. Gordon has a good record here, but it was all in the past until his 3rd place last fall. I was very impressed with Kenseth's results. He loves this Kansas track, and he immediately became the #1 contender. Then I saw Johnson's results... he is also impressive in Kansas...VERY impressive! I think it's going to be one of these two at Kansas and if it's not, they won't be far behind the winner. That is, if Brad can get his head together and quit driving like an idiot. (Really, Brad? Six laps down?) I'm riding with Johnson for two reasons: his consecutive Top 10 record is slightly better than Matt's and is still intact (Matt's got broken with an 11th last fall) and JJ has not won yet this year. They both have two wins here and Matt's are more recent and were back to back, but something is telling this Ford man to ride in a Chevy this week. I'm putting my dough($) with the dough(nuts).... the 48 and I will be serving donuts at race end.
JIM FITZGERALD: Two things…first I can argue this pick all day long up one side of the street and down the other...but I won't because I am taking Johnson, too, and for all the reasons you have stated. Only twice in 12 years has Johnson gone this long without a win to start the season. We're back to one of the No. 48's best tracks, and I think Johnson is getting tired of watching all of these assured Chase spots go to others. This week they exorcise the 2014 demons and Jimmie Johnson scores the win.
ALABAMA FITZ: And the second?
JIM FITZGERALD: Oh yeah…you mentioned Brad Keselowski racing while being six laps down. Look on the other side of that. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was on the lead lap with an opportunity to try to drive to the front, and quit. He dropped to the back and stayed there. Given the option, I’ll take the Racer over the Pacer.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Plain and simple. I am breaking up the Johnson love fest and taking Kevin Harvick for two in a row at this track.
ALABAMA FITZ: If most of us take JJ, there won't be much of a points shuffle, but the number of Chase contenders might grow. Honestly, I didn't look at Harvick after I saw Kenseth and Johnson, so I can't really comment on your choice except to say that, within the last several years, I believe the only back to back winner was Kenseth (Fall 2012 and Spring 2013). Harvick could be the next one. I'm thinking Gordon, who finished 3rd last fall, was a back to back winner some time ago, but he could also be a contender. Back to Harvick, I'm starting to view him as a savvy driver instead of just a good driver...you might have "chosen wisely" this week!!!!
KEVIN ABRAHAM: At least Johnson has the kiss of death this week. It worked for a third with Bowyer last week. I am a little surprised that PattyKay has not picked yet and the KOD was the first to make a choice.
ALABAMA FITZ: I just figured I'd let everybody know ahead who I was picking so they wouldn't have to sweat wondering if I was going to pick their driver...this way can decide if they want to pick mine. I see Jim did....he ain't skeert! As far as third at Talladega this week, that hardly makes up for last week!
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Actually, I only see three picks made ahead of me, two for JJ and one for Happy Harvick. I'm not sure what or where you boys are reading, but no one has yet picked the best driver of the lot? My driver has won 2 of the last 3 races run at Kansas, making him easily King of the Gen6 era. What's that you say? What about momentum? He is quietly sitting in second place in the points, just 3 tiny points out of first. He had a great run going at Talladega and would be your point leader now, had he not been rudely swept up in a crash created by another of my Fantasy 'Dega drivers, Brad "Killer" Keselowski. (Yep, had both of them and Danica too! Can't thank you enough for that Brad) Just like last week, I'll be riding with Matt Kenseth, somewhere over the rainbow and down the yellow brick road.
ALABAMA FITZ: Kenseth is an awesome pick, Mama! He and JJ were so close! I went with JJ because he hasn't won yet this year....but you already knew all of that.
ROBYN VANDENBERG: I want to thank Jimmie Johnson for having a wonderful time Sunday thus keeping my scoring so low. I would love to pick Kasey again as he came in 2nd last year, but that was when HMS knew he existed. This weekend it will be Kyle Busch taking the checkered under the lights.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Did you even look at Shrub's record at this track before picking him? He is more jinxed than Fitz's Kiss of Death at this track.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Kevin Darling, have any of us ever questioned some of that way off the wall picks you've made in this game? Questioned your sanity perhaps, but never your pick. Kyle Busch is quite capable of winning at any track on the circuit and has gone out of his way to prove that on many occasions. He does tend to choke a bit at season's end, but it's only May, and I'd think he's as good a pick as anyone else on the 1.5-miler in Oz.
ALABAMA FITZ: Kevin: I hope you ducked! Usually, when MamaK starts with your name, followed by "Darling", there is usually a dart, or at least a barb, right behind it. Sure enough....
KEVIN ABRAHAM: I was not questioning Robyn's pick, just was wondering why she was making that bold of a pick for this track, since his track record is not very good. I do have some crazy picks on this end. I never said all the screws were tight over here.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Aw Kevin, that's why Mama loves ya Hon. You're such a good boy... and SO easy to pick on!
JIM FITZGERALD: Bless his heart…
BRIAN MARCHETTI: This is why I won't ever question Mama again. I tried that last year, and she consistently proved me wrong.
ALABAMA FITZ: Busch might be the pick of the week. He is running fairly well this year and is only just that far away from having 3 wins already.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: I don't mind a good ribbing every once in a while! Don't ask me why, but I seem to like the basement in this game. Hopefully Harvick will finally pull me out of the basement.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: That seems to depend on which Harvick shows up this week. He's had two paces this year... freaky fast and out of the race. Tough to call.
BRIAN MARCHETTI: As I have yet to commit, and nobody seems to be jumping on my yet, another long shot, but conceivable idea, I'm going to ride with Martin Truex, Jr. this week. He knows how to run fast, his team knows how to set up a car for this track, and he's not one of the under-funded cars that pretend to race, or start and park. Truex can be a contender this week, and I'll take another gamble. If I fail again, it's back to the numbers next week in Charlotte.
PattyKay Lilley: Brian, I don't see Truex as a real gamble at Kansas. It well may be his best track, at least of late, which is pretty much all that counts, as we have the Gen-6 cars now, not the COT. I considered him, but not being in a car prepared by MWR seems to have killed his momentum from last year. I know Barney Visser made a winner out of Kurt Busch, but they are two very different drivers. I like Truex, and I liked his dad too, but going all out, I think Kurt is the better of the two. I'm still going with Matt the Brat.
JIM FITZGERALD: Might be a good one, BK.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Truex Jr. is a decent pick considering his history at this track. Considering you have leeway in the standings, it is worth the gamble at the casino in Kansas. Wait…what? Barney Visser made a winner out of Kurt Busch? Where did I miss this race? The only person that has won for FRR to this point is Regan Smith. Kurt Busch got FRR their first Chase appearance, but he never won a race for them.
ROBYN VANDENBERG: Uh Oh…
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Youngun, there is more than one way to be a winner. Kurt Busch was so far down on the self-esteem scale that he didn't even like himself. Barney Visser picked him up, dusted him off and told him he could do it. You need to learn that it isn't all written in books and numbers. Sometimes, you just have to figure it out for yourself. Mama says!
KEVIN ABRAHAM: I see what you’re saying now. So, what do our fans have to say this week?
Barbara: As I watch the races, it seems there are 35 drivers competing to see that Jeff, Jimmie, and Matt do not gain a win. Besides the fact that they are racing for their own win! Kansas should be a Roush, and therefore Biffle, track. However, I am at the point to pick a driver and stick with him until he wins, or the chase is decided. With that in mind, I’ll put #20, Matt Kenseth, back on the board this week.
Vivian: After much thought and hours of research (not) I have come to a conclusion for Kansas. Truth be known, I just guessed - again. The 5-Hour Energy 400 will be won by a driver who has won at this track before. I am picking Kevin Harvick to put win #3 on his resume this year.
Darrell: I’m going with 2-time winner Jeff Gordon. He has the most top fives with 9 and 2nd to the 48 on top tens with 11. He also has the 4th best driver rating at Kansas. Good place him to score his 1st win for the season.
Nate: Kevin Harvick. He usually runs well here. ‘Nuff said.
There you have it! Information for the race, the top contenders, and the official picks. We hope our picks have helped you with yours, and you score excellently. We’ll see how that all works out when we come back next week to talk about The All-Star Race, but until then, keep the shiny side up!
Our Picks For This Week!
Kevin Abraham |
Alabama Fitz |
Jim Fitzgerald |
PattyKay Lilley |
Brian Marchetti |
Robyn Vandenberg |
Darrell |
Nate |
Who is YOUR pick to win this week?
Correctly choose the winner before the green flag drops on Saturday, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win some racing stuff!