HOMESTEAD, Fla. - This weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wraps up its season at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Sunday's Ford 400. To help you make your fantasy racing picks, RacingOne brings you our weekly detailed look at some of the field for the 267-lap event.
Who's HOT at Homestead-Miami • Greg Biffle leads all drivers with three wins. • Carl Edwards leads all drivers with a 6.4 average finish. • Matt Kenseth, the 2007 winner, has led 287 laps. • Kevin Harvick leads all drivers with a 7.7 average finish in the six races on the variable banking. • Jeff Gordon has finished fourth in his last two starts. • Martin Truex Jr. has a 6.0 average finish in his last three starts.
Keep an Eye on at Homestead-Miami • Jimmie Johnson has five top 10s in eight starts at Homestead. • Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart have second and third best average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009. • Kurt Busch is returning in the same car that won at Texas. • Kyle Busch has led 482 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009. • Mark Martin will be in the same car that won at Darlington and Chicagoland. • Clint Bowyer has finished in the top 10 in two of his three starts.
• Denny Hamlin has a 6.3 average finish in his last three starts at HMS. • David Ragan, who has made two starts at HMS, has the fifth-best driver rating.
Track Performers Jeff Gordon leads all drivers with a 5.8 average finish on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009. Gordon, who won at Texas Motor Speedway in April, also ranks fourth in laps led with 274. Kasey Kahne (10.0), Tony Stewart (10.2), David Reutimann (11.4) and Denny Hamlin (13.1) round out the top five in average finish. Kyle Busch leads all drivers in laps led with 482. Jimmie Johnson (330), Kurt Busch (329), Gordon, Greg Biffle (247) and Mark Martin (220) are the only drivers that have led more than 200 laps on 1.5-mile tracks. Based off 1.5-mile tracks in 2009: Las Vegas, Atlanta (1.54-mile), Texas, Lowe's, Chicago and Kansas.
Take it to the Bank Kevin Harvick leads all drivers in finishing average (7.7) that have competed in all six races on Homestead-Miami's variable banking. Carl Edwards, who won last year's event, actually has the best average finish (6.4) among all drivers, but has only competed in five races. Jeff Gordon (8.2), Greg Biffle (11.5) and Martin Truex Jr. (12.5) also have solid average finishes on the new banking. AJ Allmendinger finished 11th in his Homestead debut last year.
* - The best average finish is based off a driver who has competed in every race during that time span.
For a complete look at more facts and stats for Homestead-Miami Speedway Click Here to view RacingOne's Ford 400 pre-race facts and stats eBook.
Homestead-Miami Loop Data Stat Leaders (2005-2008)
*Fastest Early in a Run
*Fastest Late in a Run
Avg. Running Position
1. Carl Edwards
1. Martin Truex Jr.
1. Carl Edwards - 7.3
2. Greg Biffle
2. Carl Edwards
2. Matt Kenseth - 7.8
3. Matt Kenseth
3. Matt Kenseth
3. Martin Truex Jr. - 9.0
4. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. David Ragan - 9.8
5. Kasey Kahne
5. David Ragan
5. Kevin Harvick - 11.6
Laps in Top 15
*Quality Passes
*Driver Rating
1. Carl Edwards - 951
1. Martin Truex Jr. - 178
1. Carl Edwards - 117.2
2. Matt Kenseth - 887
2. Jeff Gordon - 173
2. Matt Kenseth - 113.7
3. Tony Stewart - 779
3. Casey Mears - 169
3. Martin Truex Jr. - 105.7
4. Kevin Harvick - 762
4. Tony Stewart - 155
4. Greg Biffle - 103.0
5. Greg Biffle - 746
5. Denny Hamlin - 153
5. David Ragan - 95.4
*Fastest Early In a Run: Ranks each driver during the first 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Fastest Late In a Run: Ranks each driver during last 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Quality Passes: Passing a car running in the Top 15 while under a green flag. *Driver Rating: Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
For a complete look at all the loop data statistics for Homestead-Miami Speedway Click Here to view RacingOne's Ford 400 pre-race eBook.
Season Loop Data Leaders
*Fastest Early in a Run
*Fastest Late in a Run
Avg. Running Position
1. Jimmie Johnson
1. Jimmie Johnson
1. Jimmie Johnson - 8.7
2. Mark Martin
2. Mark Martin
2. Jeff Gordon - 10.7
3. Jeff Gordon
3. Denny Hamlin
2. Kurt Busch - 10.7
4. Kurt Busch
4. Kurt Busch
4. Mark Martin - 11.4
5. Kyle Busch
5. Carl Edwards
5. Tony Stewart - 11.5
Laps in Top 15
*Quality Passes
*Driver Rating
1. Jimmie Johnson - 8535
1. J.P. Montoya - 1929
1. Jimmie Johnson - 112.1
2. Mark Martin - 8427
2. Kurt Busch - 1771
2. Denny Hamlin - 101.8
3. Jeff Gordon - 8078
3. Matt Kenseth - 1770
3. Jeff Gordon - 101.7
4. Kurt Busch - 7978
4. Denny Hamlin - 1663
4. Kurt Busch - 100.6
5. Denny Hamlin - 7744
5. Jimmie Johnson - 1604
5. Mark Martin - 100.5
*Fastest Early In a Run: Ranks each driver during the first 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Fastest Late In a Run: Ranks each driver during last 25 percent of laps run since a pit stop. *Quality Passes: Passing a car running in the Top 15 while under a green flag. *Driver Rating: Formula combining the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
RacingOne Staff Picks Jeff Wackerlin: Kurt Busch Pete Pistone: Greg Biffle Rachael West: Mark Martin
Top 30 Driver Notes - Ordered by Current Standings
(All stats/notes are in regards to Homestead-Miami Speedway unless noted)
1. Jimmie Johnson: Last of five top 10s came in 2007 in seventh; Best finish, of second, came in 2004; Has only led nine laps in last five starts; Needs to finish 25th or better to clinch fourth straight championship; Has posted a 15.6 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 553) that won at Indianapolis and Auto Club.
2. Mark Martin: Making first track start with Hendrick Motorsports; Last start came in 2007 when he finished ninth in the No. 01 Chevrolet; Best finish, of second, came in 2005 with Roush Racing; Has posted an average finish of 14.2 and has led 220 laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 527) that won at Darlington and Chicagoland.
3. Jeff Gordon: Homestead is only active track he's yet to win at; Has finished fourth in last two races; Leads all drivers with a 5.8 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Has led 274 laps on 1.5-mile tracks this season.
4. Kurt Busch: Best finish in three starts with Penske Racing came in 2007 in second; Won the 2002 race from the pole with Roush Racing; Latest winner on a 1.5-mile track with his win at Texas; Has two wins and average finish of 15.9 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 702) that won at Texas two weeks ago.
5. Tony Stewart: Will make first track start with Stewart-Haas Racing; Finished ninth last year with Joe Gibbs Racing for fifth top 10; Won the first two events on the old configuartion; Has posted an average finish of 10.2 on the 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 564) that finished sixth at Texas two weeks ago.
6. Juan Pablo Montoya: Will make first track start in a Chevrolet; Posted an average finish of 22.0 in previous three starts; Has recorded an average finish of 18.0 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 910) in the Ford 400.
7. Greg Biffle: Won three straight races from 2004-2006; Has posted an average finish of 15.5 in last two starts; Has the third-best average finish on the new configuration; Has recorded an average finish of 14.7 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
8. Denny Hamlin: Finished third in 2006 and 2007; Has a 13.0 average finish in four starts; Has fifth best average finish (13.1) on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 248) that won at Pocono and Martinsville.
9. Ryan Newman: Will make first track start with Stewart-Haas; Posted two top 10s and an average finish of 20.3 in seven starts with Penske Racing; Has the seventh-best average finish (13.1) on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
10. Kasey Kahne: Has a 17.6 average finish in five starts; Finished sixth in 2008; Ranks second in average finish (10.0) on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Has led 130 laps on 1.5-mile tracks this season.
11. Carl Edwards: Defending race winner; Leads all drivers with a 6.4 average finish on the new configuration; Ranks 19th in average finish (19.2) on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 669) that finished sixth at Auto Club last month.
12. Brian Vickers: Has posted a 37.0 average finish in two starts with Team Red Bull; Best finish came in 2004, in 18th, with Hendrick Motorsports; His 16.1 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks ranks 13th among all drivers.
13. Kyle Busch: Homestead is his worst track based on his 29.5 average finish; Is coming off best finish in first track start with Joe Gibbs Racing in 19th; Has led the most laps on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009 with 482; Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 254) that finished 13th in its debut at Atlanta in September.
14. Matt Kenseth: Won the 2007 event after leading 214 laps; Win is one of three top 10s; Led 73 laps in this event last year; Has led 102 laps and posted an average finish of 16.6 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
15. Clint Bowyer: Fifth-place finish last year lowered average finish to 18.0 in three starts; Has yet to lead a lap; Ranks 10th among all drivers in 2009 with a 15.3 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks; Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 284) that finished 29th at Atlanta in September.
16. David Reutimann: Won the pole for this event last year; Coming off best finish in 20th; Has posted an average finish of 11.4 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
17. Jeff Burton: Has posted an average finish of 24.6 in five starts with Richard Childress Racing; Best finish is a pair of third-place runs with Roush Racing on old configuration; Has posted an average finish of 18.7 on 1.5-mile tracks this season; Coming off three consecutive top 10s in 2009; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 290) in the Ford 400.
18. Marcos Ambrose: Finished 42nd in first track start in 2008; Has posted a 23.3 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
19. Joey Logano: Will be making first track start; Has posted an average finish of 19.3 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will debut a new car (chassis No. 262) in the Ford 400.
20. Casey Mears: Making first track start with Richard Childress Racing; Coming off best finish in eighth; Has posted an average finish of 21.8 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 282) that most recently finished seventh at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
21. Kevin Harvick: Has recorded six top 10s in eight starts; Coming off best finish in second; Has posted an average finish of 16.9 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 288) that finished fifth at Texas two weeks ago.
22. Jamie McMurray: Has posted an average finish of 17.3 in three starts with Roush Fenway Racing; Coming off best finish in third; Has yet to lead a lap on a 1.5-mile track this season; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 617) that finished 33rd at Lowe's last month.
23. Martin Truex Jr.: Homestead is his second best track on the circuit based on his 12.5 average finish; Has finished in the top 10 in his last three starts; His 71 laps led on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009 ranks 11th among all drivers; Will return in the same car (chassis No. 070) that most recently finished 16th at Kansas.
24. Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Homestead is his worst track on the schedule based on his 24.7 average finish; Finished 41st last season in first start with Hendrick Motorsports after a wheel problem; Has posted an average finish of 23.6 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009; Will be back in the same car (chassis No. 559) that finished 25th at Auto Club after a late-race accident.
25. AJ Allmendinger: Finished 11th in first track start in 2008; Has posted an average finish of 22.1 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
26. Elliott Sadler: Has an average finish of 30.0 in the six races on the new banking; Has yet to post a top-20 finish in that span; His 25.3 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks ranks 28th among all drivers.
27. David Ragan: Has a 17.0 average finish in two starts; His 28.0 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009 ranks 37th among all drivers; Will race the same car (chassis No. 620) that finished 20th at Lowe's last month.
28. Reed Sorenson: Will make first track start with Richard Petty Motorsports; Posted no top 10s and an average finish of 24.2 in four starts with Ganassi Racing; His 30.2 average finish on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009 ranks 40th among all drivers.
29. Sam Hornish Jr.: Finished 37th in first start last season; Has posted an average finish of 28.6 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
30. Bobby Labonte: Will make first track start with TRG Motorsports; Won this event in 2003 with Joe Gibbs Racing; Has posted an average finish of 26.8 on 1.5-mile tracks in 2009.
