Countdown To The Chase: Indianapolis

Indianapolis Motor Speedway: The Sprint Cup Series has raced at this historic track since 1994. 

After an off week for the Cup guys, it is back to the grind at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for arguably the most prestigious race on the Sprint Cup Schedule.

The Sprint Cup Season is approaching two-thirds of the way through, and chase contending teams are attempting to kick-start their push to September - if they haven't done so already. Besides, everyone knows winning this race is a huge deal, particularly to those who are in the Chase. 

Why? 

Because in 8 of the 17 races held here for the Sprint Cup Series, the driver who won this event goes on the win the Championship. So in retrospect, winning here tends to keep a driver's momentum going throughout the rest of the season.

Favorites

Jimmie Johnson 

Johnson winning the last of his three Brickyard 400 wins in 2009.

I almost leaned towards picking him as the driver who will win tomorrow's race, but I had second thoughts. The 48 improved drastically from practice one to practice three. Many believe he is in a slump that we aren't accustomed to seeing. Look for Jimmie to be a threat to kiss the bricks for the fourth time in his career.

Greg Biffle

The Biff hasn't had the best of seasons. In fact, he is on verge of the not making the Chase for first time since 2007. With the way the points system is, the 16 needs a victory to throw himself in the wildcard hunt. He was the fastest in the second and third sessions. In an interview during qualifying, he sounded to be very confident of his car in race trim. Maybe Biffle can generate a push to not just make the Chase, but to be a threat for the Sprint Cup as well.

Carl Edwards

Cousin Carl is my pick to win the 18th running of the Brickyard 400. To my surprise, he has an average finish of 10.5. But that's not why i'm picking him. You see, Carl hasn't won since Las Vegas in March. He has had fast race cars. Carl just hasn't been able to drive them to Victory Circle. He has another fast hot rod this week, as demonstrated in practice like his teammate Biffle. He is the point leader, so he's sure to win another race before the Chase, right?

Sleepers

Tony Stewart

He is coming off a second place run at Loudon, and Smoke looks to continue that trend at a track he loves so dearly. He hasn't given much indication that he'll be fast for the race, but Smoke has the best average finish in the field with an 8.2; he'll figure out how the get to front one way or another.

Jeff Gordon

                                                         Jeff celebrating his win in the inaugural event in 1994.

Gordon has won more times than any in the field at this track. He is a four-time winner of the Brickyard 400, and looking for his fifth. I'm concerned with how Jeff's car is operating considering he has been far down in practice sessions. During an interview, he said his car was "good" in race trim. Whether his car is good or bad, he has the track position, which is key at Indy. He starts 8th.  


Jamie McMurray

Jamie Mac is the defending race winner of this event capping off the sweep of winning the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 in the same season. He has not lived up to last year's performance as he is 29th in Sprint Cup Points. He has looked fast all weekend and because he won this event last year, I give him a shot to salvage what has been a disappointing 2011 season.

Risk Takers


Juan Pablo Montoya

It's quite unusual to put a driver who has had the dominating car in the last two Brickyard 400 races in this list. The problem is, he has put himself in a hole in both races. He was caught speeding in 2009 -which some will argue of whether he sped or not - ending his chances of winning that year. Last year really wasn't his doing considering his pit crew lost him the lead. Afterwards, while Montoya drove to get back to the front, he wrecked his car. While he may be up front, don't exactly count him out of having a mishap.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Dale Jr. has gone from a feel good story to now worrying about making the Chase...again. His best finish in the last five races was 15th two weeks ago at Loudon. While Junior had an impressive run at Indy in '07 before blowing another engine, I don't see a reason to pick him. His average finish is a 22.2. Expect Junebug to continue his struggles.

Denny Hamlin

Honestly, I would put him on my fantasy team because he is starting 43rd, but NASCAR.com will still consider him starting at what he qualified: 14th. Indy and Pocono mere each other and knowing how great Hamlin has been at Pocono, his finishes there sure don't translate to Indy. His average finish is a 16.8. Not bad but not anywhere near his stats at Pocono - which is a 9.2 average finish with four wins. He says he has a fast car, so maybe there's is some hope for the #11 Toyota.


Lately, this race has been boring due to tire issues and drivers having to pit every 10-15 laps. Unfortunately, I expect the trend to continue. Of course, I'll still watch to keep eye on my favorite driver: Jeff Gordon. It's just the race won't really seem like a race, if that makes any sense.

Needless to say, it's just one man's opinion.



Note: I do NOT take credit for any of these photos.