The UAW-Ford 500
The NASCAR Cup Series moves to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the third race of the Sprint Cup Season, the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400. We looked at this winter's Vegas practice sessions, past performances, and season trends to predict how the field might finish.
When: Sunday, March 2, 2008; 4:30 p.m./et
Weather: Sunny with a high around 64; wind out of the N at 18 mph. Chance of precipitation 20%.
The Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a 1.5 mile tri-oval that was reconfigured in 2007. The banking on the corners was been increased from 12 degrees to 20 degrees. Roush-Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports have dominated races at the track since it opened in 1998.
Key to Race: BEAT THE BIG BOYS
There have been ten races run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and cars from the Roush-Fenway and Hendrick Motorsports have won nine of them. The ability these teams have to experiment with different aero packages and setups means any of their cars could win the race.
Qualifying Procedures:
48 cars will attempt to qualify for 43 spots. Starting positions 1-43 will be determined by two lap qualifying runs that will be done on Friday, February 29 at 6:40 pm/et. Cars that were in the top 35 in owner's points during the 2007 season are guaranteed a spot in the race.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet: Top 5
No. 48
Jimmie Johnson: Johnson has won the past three Las Vegas races…enough said.
No. 24
Jeff Gordon: Gordon has three consecutive top five finishes at Vegas. He should be in the lead pack again this weekend.
No. 17
Matt Kenseth: Kenseth has won two of the last five races at Vegas. He is a great bet to crack the top five again this weekend.
No. 18
Kyle Busch: Busch has three straight top 10 finishes at his hometown track. He is a great pick this weekend.
No. 20
Tony Stewart: Stewart has been a top five finisher at Vegas four times. There is a great chance he could find his way to victory lane for the first time at the track this weekend.
6 to 10
No. 11
Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has never finished outside the top 10 during his career at Vegas. We like his chance to keep the streak alive this weekend.
No. 12
Ryan Newman: Newman has been on fire so far this season. He has had decent success at Vegas during his career and is a great pick on Sunday.
No. 8
Mark Martin: Martin has notched five top five finishes in 10 career starts at Vegas. He is a great sleeper option this weekend.
No. 99
Carl Edwards: Edwards was terrific Monday at Fontana, but he hasn't had a heck of a lot of success at Vegas during his career. We think he should finish inside the top 15, but his chances of winning aren't very good.
No. 2
Kurt Busch: Busch has been hit-or-miss in Vegas during his career. He has been strong so far this season and we see no reason he won't flirt with cracking the top 10 on Sunday.
11 to 20
No. 88
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Junior isn't a great pick in Vegas. He has just two top 10 finishes in eight career starts in the Sin City.
No. 9
Kasey Kahne: Kahne has two top five finishes and two 35th or worse finishes at Vegas in his career. We expect he will be pushing to crack the top 10 on Sunday.
No. 1 Martin Truex Jr: Truex finished 12th during last year's edition of this race. We predict he will finish right around there again this year.
No. 29
Kevin Harvick: Harvick is a lock to crack the top 20 and might even sneak into the top 10 with a little luck.
No. 25
Casey Mears: Las Vegas is one of the best tracks for Mears. If there is ever a weekend to use him it is this one.
No. 31
Jeff Burton: Burton has six top 10 finishes in 10 career starts at Vegas. He should be just outside the top 10 this weekend.
No. 16
Greg Biffle: Biffle's average finish at Las Vegas is 17th. That is about where we think he will finish this weekend.
No. 83
Brian Vickers: Vickers has been awesome so far this year. He is worth taking a chance on this weekend as your fourth or fifth driver.
No. 07
Clint Bowyer: Bowyer has never cracked the top 15 at Vegas. He isn't a great pick this weekend.
No. 26
Jamie McMurray: McMurray should be a middle-of-the-packer this weekend. He isn't worth using as much more than a fourth or fifth driver.
21 to 30
No. 43
Bobby Labonte: Labonte has had decent success during his career at Vegas and is worth using as a fifth driver this weekend.
No. 19
Elliott Sadler: Sadler's average finish at Vegas during his career is 25th which is about where we think he will finish this weekend.
No. 7
Robby Gordon: Gordon is having an excellent season, if you overlook his penalty. Another top 20 finish wouldn't surprise us. But we are talking about Robby.
No. 00
David Reutimann: Reutimann is proving this season that he is a very talented driver. We like him as a sleeper most weekends.
No. 42
Juan Pablo Montoya: Montoya hasn't had quite the success people expected from him in his sophomore season. We think he will struggle again this weekend.
No. 77
Sam Hornish Jr.: Hornish Jr. had some bad luck that took him out of last weekend's race. He is a wildcard this weekend, but we don't recommend using him in fantasy leagues.
No. 41
Reed Sorenson: Sorenson has been terrible at Las Vegas during his career. We think he is due for a breakout season this year, but this isn't the week to use him.
No. 6
David Ragan: Ragan finished 37th last year at Vegas. He will improve this week, but he still isn't a great choice.
No. 15
Paul Menard: Menard should finish in the mid-to-high 20's this weekend.
No. 66
Scott Riggs: Riggs has back-to-back 21st place finishes this season. We don't think he will do that well this weekend.
31 to 40
No. 96
J.J. Yeley: Yeley is going to finish in the top 30 most races, but he will rarely crack the top 20.
No. 38
David Gilliland: Gilliland has been quietly having a great season. We expect he will crack the top 35 this weekend, but not do much better.
No. 44
Dale Jarrett: Jarrett has had a nice run this season, but he should fall back into the mid-30's this weekend.
No. 22
Dave Blaney: Blaney has been terrible this season and Vegas isn't one of his better tracks. Avoid him.
No. 55
Michael Waltrip: Waltrip has been decent this season, but we still don't consider him a fantasy option.
No. 40
Dario Franchitti: Dario has struggled in his first two NASCAR races. This is a trend we don't see ending.
No. 45
Kyle Petty: Petty has been terrible this season and we don't see him improving.
No. 70
Jeremy Mayfield: We have to wonder if the No. 70 car wishes it had
Johnny Sauter back.
No. 01
Regan Smith: Smith is a back-of-the-packer.
No. 28
Travis Kvapil: Kvapil is guaranteed to make the field and should get lapped rapidly.
Field Fillers
No. 21
Bill Elliott: Elliott did well at Fontana and should get the No. 21 car into Sunday's field as well.
No. 84
A.J. Allmendinger: Allmendinger has missed the first two races of the season and should struggle to make the field this weekend.
No. 10
Patrick Carpentier: Carpentier's next Spring Cup race will be his first.
No. 78
Joe Nemechek: Nemechek has barely made the first two races of the season. His luck will eventually run out.
No. 49
Ken Schrader: Schrader has yet to make a race this season. It is a trend that should continue.
No. 27
Mike Skinner: Skinner will be watching the race on television.
No. 34
John Andretti: Andretti has made both races this season, but we think he will miss this week.
No. 08
Burney Lamar: He would have to find a pit crew if he makes the race.
Brownie's Picks Top Four:
1.
Jimmie Johnson
2.
Jeff Gordon
3.
Matt Kenseth
4.
Kyle Busch Sleepers:
1.
Mark Martin
2.
Casey Mears Busts:
1.
Clint Bowyer
2.
Juan Pablo Montoya