Early Week Driver Rankings for Dover

The MENCS returns to the Monster Mile this week, but this time it is a playoff race. The last race at Dover was completely dominated by Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott. The two drivers led 277 laps. They have been the most dominant drivers in the playoffs this season. Will they dominant the race at Dover again? This is a fast track that usually produces some exciting racing. The Drydene 400 can be seen Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

NASCAR will have two practices Friday. The first practice is at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and final practice is at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Qualifying for the Drydene 400 Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

The cars will have the 750 HP engines with the 2” splitter, 8” spoiler and no aero ducts this week. This is the same aero package they raced at Dover in May. The results from the first race usually translates into speed in the fall because this is a rhythm track and a driver either knows how to turn fast laps or they just get in the way of the drivers who have the rhythm down pat.

My early week pick for the pole is Chase Elliott. He won the pole for the last race at Dover and Hendrick Motorsports has been very good at qualifying this season. I think the No. 9 car leads the field to the green flag Sunday.

Each week I use different stats in my model to create the best rankings possible to give you an edge on the completion. This week I used Driver Ratings at Dover, Average Running Position at Dover, Driver Rating at the Steep Tracks, Average Running Position at Steep Tracks, Green Flag Passes at Dover and momentum over the last 4 oval races.

Here are the early week driver rankings for Dover…

* I will post my final driver rankings Saturday night.

**Stats from Driveraverages.com and NASCAR Media. Career stats from Racing-Reference.Info…

*** Photos from NASCAR Media

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