* 33% of the Sprint series races at Darlington have been won from the front row: 19 from the pole and 17 from second-place.
* 86% of the past winners here have started in the top 10.
The exception was two years ago Regan Smith stayed out late and held off Edwards for the win taking the checkered flag as a 500-1 underdog.
Since there is no other tracks to truly compare Darlington to, it makes it difficult to handicap. You would have to consider the other 1.5 mile tracks if any, which would be at Las Vegas, Kansas and Texas so far this year of which the JGR cars where dominate.
Sprint Series Picks:
Hamlin +850 (.5 units)
Hamlin leads all active drivers with the best average finish of 5.9 in seven starts at the track, along with one win, three top fives, six top tens, and 354 laps led. No more points racing for him as he needs wins to make the chase at this point.
Busch +625 (.75 units)
3 top ten's including a win here in his last five starts. He finished fourth last year and has two wins already through 10 races this season.
Kayne +1100 (.5 units)
Seems to have figured out the new Gen 6 car this year and really turns it on when the sun goes down and lights come on! Has combined to lead 157 laps and post an average finish of 6.0 in last two starts.
Kenseth +875 (.5 units)
Career numbers here not so good, only 1 top five in 19 starts. Although he did sneak up to the front to capture a 6th place finish last race here. Carrying a lot momentum this season since switching race teams. Been the car to beat in a lot of races so far this year, has led the most laps this season with the Gen-6 car.
Johnson +825 (.25 units)
3 wins, 7 top fives, 10 top tens, and 543 laps led. Made the right adjustments here in last years race and stayed out late to bring home the win. Will return in the same chassis (No. 728) that he finished sixth with at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.
Nationwide Series
Kenseth +450 (.75 units)
3 wins, 9 top fives, 12 top tens, 327 laps led, and an average finish of 9.7 in 16 starts.
Busch +325 (1 unit)
8 Starts with 273 laps led, 3 Top fives, and 4 Top Ten's.
Kayne +900 (.25 units)
No stats to go off of running a hendrick engine in the series. Simply a gut feeling and my cover bet for the race.
YTD Totals
2-1 (Profitable Days)
+6 units
Left about 13 units on the table with second place finishes the past couple weeks. Hoping that streak breaks for me this weekend.
Good Luck to everybody