Dennis' Darlington Picks

Lady in Black at 200mph Won't Lead to Lucky No. 73 for Junior

Is anyone else getting really nervous about our NASCAR stars doing 200mph at Darlington? The Lady in Black has a habit of reaching out and grabbing people even at lower speeds. This week the new pavement and hard tires is a combination that could lead to a tough handicapping dilemma. The Track Too Tough to Tame has always been a track position racetrack. Over 87% of the winners have started from a top ten starting spot at Darlington! If the tires are as durable as they were in the tire tests the strategy will make track position even more important. This place used to wear tires out in three laps! Each and every time a caution flew the recipe for success was to fire four new tires at each car. Now will Crew Chiefs take a risk to run on older tires? Can it be lucky number 73 for Dale Earnhardt Jr at a track his Daddy won at nine times? 200mph top speed at Darlington is reason enough not to miss a lap under the lights on Saturday night! Good luck with your fantasy picks this week.

Pace Laps:

Kasey Kahne has the best average starting position of active drivers with 3 starts or more

Jimmie Johnson has the best average finish of active drivers with 3 starts or more

Sterling Marlin is in the No. 40

Bill Elliott is in the No. 21 with a guaranteed spot

Kenny Schrader is in the No. 70

Jeff Gordon has the most wins of any active driver (7)

Bill Elliott has the most poles of any active driver (5)

19 of the 104 Cup races have been won from the pole

Over 1/3rd of all Cup races have been won from the front row

91 of 104 Cup races have been won from a top ten starting spot

DMIC's Picks:

Last Week's Results: Crown Royal 400 (24th, 4th, 2nd)
Denny Hamlin my top pick was dominant until losing that tire in the late going. Four of the top five finishers including the winner were mentioned in my picks! Even nailed the top rookie and his 21st place finish was in my range I predicted and Struggling Star finished worse than 30th, which is the goal!

Win: Greg Biffle (15-1 Odds)
Tire tester and strong Courses rating

Place: Carl Edwards (6-1 Odds)
King of the Speedways in 2008

Show: Ryan Newman (30-1 Odds)
Most consistent qualifier also a tire tester

Outsider: Mark Martin (20-1 Odds)
(Outside of Top 20 in Points)
(3rd Last Week)
Cagey veteran on a cagey track

Long Shot Special: Kasey Kahne (25-1 Odds)
(20-1 or Greater in Vegas)
(Winner last week)
Great qualifier

Rookie of the Race: Patrick Carpentier
21st and Top Rookie Last Week)
Not a strong rookie class

Struggling Star: Kevin Harvick
(Inside Top 12 in Points)
(32nd Last Week)
Should still be top 20

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