Texas Motor Speedway NRA 500

[Old School]

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="800"><tbody><tr><td vAlign="top" width="610" align="left"><table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="yspsctnhdln">Texas Motor Speedway</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="yspsctbg" height="17"><th class="ysptblhdr borderRight first" colSpan="4" align="left"> Records </th></tr><tr class="ysptblbdr2" height="17"><th class="yspdetailttl first" width="10" align="left"> Date </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Series </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Driver </th><th class="yspdetailttl borderRight last" align="right"> Speed </th></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/14/12 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Sprint Cup Race </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Greg Biffle </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 161.00 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/13/13 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Sprint Cup Qualifying </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Kyle Busch </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 196.299 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/5/08 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Nationwide Race </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Kyle Busch </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 152.00 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/6/02 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Nationwide Qualifying </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jeff Green </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 193.492 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 11/2/12 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Camping World Truck Race </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Johnny Sauter </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 155.00 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 11/3/06 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Camping World Truck Qualifying </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Clint Bowyer </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> 184.464 </td></tr></tbody></table></td><td width="10"><!--gutter--><spacer width="10"></spacer></td><td class="ysprtcol1" vAlign="top" width="180">Sprint Cup Series

<table class="raceModule" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="raceStatus">Today's Race</td><td align="right">Apr 13</td></tr><tr vAlign="top"><td class="raceName" height="32" colSpan="2">NRA 500</td></tr><tr><td class="raceSubNav" colSpan="2">Leaderboard | Live Points</td></tr></tbody></table>
Track Facts

<table class="trackFacts" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>
Location: Fort Worth, TX
</td></tr><tr><td>Banking/Turns: Quad-Oval</td></tr><tr><td>Distance: 1.50 miles</td></tr><tr><td>Shape: Quad-Oval</td></tr><tr><td>
Most Cup Wins (since 1975)
</td></tr><tr><td>

• Carl Edwards: 3

</td></tr></tbody></table>

</td></tr><tr><td colSpan="3"> </td></tr><tr><td colSpan="3"><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>

<table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td height="7"><spacer height="1" width="1" type="block"></spacer></td></tr></tbody></table><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0"><tbody><tr><td background="" width="10"><spacer height="1" width="1" type="block"></spacer></td><td class="on" background=""> Sprint Cup </td><td class="yspsctbg" vAlign="top" width="6">

</td><td background=""> Nationwide </td><td background=""> Camping World Truck </td></tr></tbody></table><table class="TabBar" border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%" height="5"><tbody><tr><td class="edge" height="5"><spacer height="5"></spacer></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="ysptblbdr2" height="17"><th class="yspdetailttl first" width="10" align="left"> Date </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Race Name </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Pole Winner </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="left"> Race Winner </th><th class="yspdetailttl " align="right"> Make </th><th class="yspdetailttl last" align="right"> Purse </th></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/14/12 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Samsung Mobile 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Martin Truex Jr. </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Greg Biffle </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Ford </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $7,132,592 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 11/4/12 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> AAA Texas 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jimmie Johnson </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jimmie Johnson </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $6,969,209 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/9/11 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Samsung Mobile 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> David Ragan </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Matt Kenseth </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Ford </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $7,000,716 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 11/6/11 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> AAA Texas 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Greg Biffle </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Tony Stewart </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $6,857,822 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/19/10 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Samsung Mobile 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Tony Stewart </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Denny Hamlin </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Toyota </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $7,094,253 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 11/7/10 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> AAA Texas 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Elliott Sadler </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Denny Hamlin </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Toyota </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $6,998,905 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow1" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 4/5/09 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Samsung 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> David Reutimann </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jeff Gordon </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Chevrolet </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $7,384,649 </td></tr><tr class="ysprow2" height="17"><td class="yspscores first" align="left"> 11/8/09 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Dickies 500 </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Jeff Gordon </td><td class="yspscores " align="left"> Kurt Busch </td><td class="yspscores " align="right"> Dodge </td><td class="yspscores last" align="right"> $7,359,286 </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[Old School]

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nascar/article.cfm?article_id=159
NASCAR Picks for Texas

by Brian Polking, Wednesday, April 10, 2013 11:06:23 AM CDTFFToolbox.com

0 Reader Comments | Add Yours​

Track Info:
Length: 1.500 miles
Shape: Quad-oval
Type: Intermediate
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
View Average Finishes

http://www.raceweather.net/

After slowing things down with a trip to Martinsville Speedway, the Cup Series gets back up to speed so to speak this weekend with a trip to Texas Motor Speedway. The 1.5-mile oval is usually among the fastest tracks on the schedule with drivers routinely topping 200 mph down the straightaways. The high speeds also make for some wild restarts as well as some heart-stopping moments on the exit of the corners. Not to mention the fact that there have been some violent, multi-car wrecks at Texas in the past that have produced the carnage that is usually reserved for superspeedways. If you watched the 2010 spring race, you already know what I'm talking about.
On the plus side, a lot of NASCAR's big names have enjoyed a lot of success at the track, and there opportunity exists for fantasy owners to have a big day. That being said, engine issues, tire issues, fuel mileage and the aforementioned Texas-style "Big One" could all throw a wrench in those plans in a hurry. In other words, fantasy owners should be cautiously optimistic about this weekend's race.

1. Matt Kenseth, #20 Husky/Dollar General, Joe Gibbs Racing [Yahoo Class A]

In the last 20 races at Texas, Kenseth leads all drivers with a 7.2 average finish. More importantly, he has reeled off five straight top-five finishes at the track, posting a 3.2 average finish during the stretch. Throw in the fact that Kenseth went to Victory Lane the last time the Cup Series visited a 1.5-mile track this year, and an elite finish should be on tap for Saturday.

2. Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class A]

Johnson delivered for fantasy owners at Texas last year, finishing second and first in the two races at the track. Meanwhile, he has 17 top-15 finishes in 19 starts at the track, compiling a 9.3 average finish overall. Coming off his second win of 2013 last weekend at Martinsville, the five-time champ should be in the mix for another win Saturday.

3. Kyle Busch, #18 Mars Brands/Interstate Batteries, Joe Gibbs Racing [Yahoo Class B]

He is one of the hottest drivers in the series, having logged four straight top-five finishes. More importantly, he has finished fourth or better five times at Texas, including a third-place run last fall. Busch is still looking for his first win at the track, but he is on one of his rolls right now when he could win anywhere.

4. Greg Biffle, #16 3M/Bondo, Roush Fenway Racing [Yahoo Class B]

The defending race winner has been on a roll at Texas. He has finished in the top 10 in his last nine starts at the track, and he has six top-five finishes during the stretch. Biffle has had a relatively quiet 2013 thus far, but he should change that this weekend at one of his best tracks.

5. Brad Keselowski, #2 Miller Lite, Penske Racing [Yahoo Class A]

After opening his career with eight straight finishes outside the top 10 at Texas, Keselowski delivered a career-best second-place finish at the track last fall. Considering he has opened the 2013 season with five finishes of sixth or better in six starts, there is a good chance he will be back near the front of the field Saturday. His 22.7 average finish at the track is extremely misleading.

6. Kasey Kahne, #5 Farmers Insurance/Quaker State, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class A]

Although he didn't win the first race at a 1.5-mile track this season, he did lead the most laps and finish a close second. More importantly, he is a former winner at Texas and has finished seventh or better in two of his last three starts at the track. Kahne has always been one of the top 1.5-mile track drivers in the series, and he should remind fantasy owners of that this weekend.

7. Carl Edwards, #99 Fastenal/Aflac/UPS/Subway, Roush Fenway Racing [Yahoo Class B]

He has been bouncing back nicely from a dismal 2012 effort, and Edwards' resurgence should continue at Texas. After all, he is a three-time winner at the track, and he has finished in the top 10 in three of his last four starts. During the stretch, he has finished in the top three twice and compiled a 7.3 average finish.

8. Clint Bowyer, #15 5-Hour Energy, Michael Waltrip Racing [Yahoo Class A]

Bowyer has always been solid at Texas, but lately, he has been stepping up his game. He has a 12.8 average finish in 14 starts at the track, finishing outside the top 20 only once. More importantly, he has finished in the top 10 in four of his last five starts at Texas.

9. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class B]

His first career Cup win actually came at Texas in his rookie year, and while he hasn't had a top-five finish at the track since 2004, Junior remains a solid option. He has finished in the top 10 in his last four starts at Texas, posting an 8.3 average finish during the stretch. Junior probably won't win Saturday, but there is always room on a fantasy roster for a top-10 finish.

10. Jeff Gordon, #24 Drive to End Hunger/Axalta, Hendrick Motorsports [Yahoo Class A]

He has been enjoying a solid stretch at Texas and has finished in the top 15 in three straight starts. Gordon has two finishes of sixth or better during the stretch to go along with an 8.0 average finish. Keep in mind that he has won at Texas as recently as 2009, so he is a fairly low-risk option with some real upside.

11. Tony Stewart, #14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1, Stewart-Haas Racing [Yahoo Class A]

Stewart's start to the 2013 season is slow even by his standards, but there is a chance he could get things rolling at Texas. After all, Stewart is a two-time winner at the track with his most recent win coming in the fall of 2011. Throw in the fact that he finished fifth at Texas last fall, and Stewart could finally prove his worth to fantasy owners this weekend.

12. Brian Vickers, #11 FedEx , Joe Gibbs Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Although his numbers were never great at Texas, Vickers has become a new man since he last visited the track in 2011. He has piled up excellent numbers for Michael Waltrip Racing in a part-time role, and he will get a chance to drive the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 for the first time this weekend. The car has been to Victory Lane twice at the track with Denny Hamlin driving, and Vickers should be able to bring it home somewhere in the top 15.

 

[Old School]

13. Kevin Harvick, #29 Budweiser/Rheem, Richard Childress Racing [Yahoo Class A]

He doesn't have a lot of great finishes at Texas, but Harvick does own a respectable 12.5 average finish at the track since 2001. Meanwhile, he has finished in the top 15 in six of his last seven starts, logging five top-10s during the stretch. Harvick finished ninth in both races at Texas last year and should be right around the top 10 again Saturday.
14. Mark Martin, #55 Aaron's Dream Machine, Michael Waltrip Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Martin finished third at Texas last spring, and in his last 10 starts at the track, he has finished 12th or better seven times. During the stretch, he has finished sixth or better five times, so a very strong run isn't out of the question. That being said, fantasy owners should count on a top-15 finish from Martin and consider anything more icing on the cake.

15. Martin Truex, Jr., #56 NAPA Auto Parts, Michael Waltrip Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Texas has always been one of Truex's better 1.5-mile tracks. In 15 career starts, he has finished in the top 15 11 times, including three straight. He has also finished in the top 10 in two of his last three starts, including a sixth-place run last spring. A top-15 finish should be more than reasonable, and don't be surprised if he makes a run at the top 10.

16. Kurt Busch, #78 Furniture Row, Furniture Row Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Busch is a former winner at Texas, and more importantly, he has shown he can deliver solid results at the track while driving for smaller teams. He finished 13th at the track last spring while driving for Phoenix Racing, and he followed it up with an eighth-place run in the fall with Furniture Row Racing. Busch could make a solid sleeper option this weekend for fantasy owners.

17. Paul Menard, #27 Menards, Richard Childress Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Despite having a bit of a down year at Texas in 2012, there is still some hope for Menard. After all, he did reel off three straight top-15 finishes at the track prior to last season, picking up a pair of top-10 finishes during the stretch. Throw in the fact that Menard hasn't finished outside the top 20 since the Daytona 500, and he should at least manage a respectable effort this weekend.

18. Joey Logano, #22 Shell-Pennzoil, Penske Racing [Yahoo Class B]

His 23.6 average finish at Texas leaves a lot to be desired, but on the bright side, Logano did manage two of his three best finishes at the track last year. Coming off a season when he cracked the top 20 in both starts at Texas, including an 11th-place run in the fall, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Logano outperform his career averages yet again.

19. Aric Almirola, #43 Smithfield Foods, Richard Petty Motorsports [Yahoo Class B]

Almirola has had a decent feel for Texas throughout his brief career, finishing 22nd or better in three of his four starts. He has also been getting better at the 1.5-mile oval and is coming off a career-best 15th-place run at the track last fall. At the very least, Almirola figures to be in or around the top 20 Saturday.

20. Ryan Newman, #39 Quicken Loans/Haas Automation, Stewart-Haas Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Despite winning at Texas in just his second attempt, Newman has been rather mediocre at the track overall. His 20.3 average finish is nothing special, and more concerning, he has gone nine straight starts at the track without a top-10 finish. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect too much out of him this weekend.

21. Jamie McMurray, #1 McDonald's/Cessna, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Early in his career, McMurray was a fantasy stud at Texas, logging eight top-15 finishes in his first 10 starts at the track. However, things have changed dramatically, and he has failed to crack the top 10 in eight straight starts. During the stretch, McMurray has managed just a single top-15 finish, so there just isn't much upside for fantasy owners.

22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #17 Best Buy/Valvoline/Zest, Roush Fenway Racing [Yahoo Class C]

The rookie is coming off his first finish outside the top 20, but a decent rebound could be on tap at Texas. After all, Roush Fenway Racing has enjoyed a lot of success at the track, and Stenhouse did manage an 18th-place finish in the first race at a 1.5-mile track this year. A similar result should be possible Saturday in the Lone Star State.

23. Jeff Burton, #31 Caterpillar/Cheerios, Richard Childress Racing [Yahoo Class B]

Texas had been one of Burton's better 1.5-mile tracks for a long time, but the veteran's production has slipped in recent years. He has gone five straight starts without a top-10 finish and has finished outside the top 25 three times during the stretch. Don't get your hopes too high for Burton this weekend.

24. Marcos Ambrose, #9 Stanley/Dewalt Power Tools, Richard Petty Motorsports [Yahoo Class B]

After showing real promise at Texas with three straight top-12 finishes, Ambrose took a step back in 2012. He finished 20th or worse in both starts at the track, compiling a 26.0 average finish. Given his inconsistencies at intermediate oval tracks in general, fantasy owners are asking for trouble if they assume Ambrose will bounce back without at least waiting to see practice times this weekend

 

[Old School]

25. Juan Montoya, #42 Target, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing [Yahoo Class B]

It is the same old story for Montoya. For every top-10 run at Texas, there are three finishes outside the top 25. If (and when) he starts stringing together some solid finishes, fantasy owners may finally be able to use him on tracks other than the road courses. Until then, the risk outweighs the reward.
26. Casey Mears, #13 GEICO, Germain Racing [Yahoo Class C]

Somehow, Mears is actually running more consistently with Germain Racing than he did with Hendrick Motorsports. Rather than trying to figure out why that is happening, fantasy owners should just take advantage of a driver that is fast becoming the sleeper special of 2013. His numbers aren't great at Texas, but at this point, a top-20 run can't be ruled out.

27. Trevor Bayne, #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane, Wood Brothers Racing [Yahoo Class C]

Bayne finished 17th in each of his first three starts at Texas, but last year, he failed to crack the top 20 in either start. Still, growing pains are normal with young drivers, especially those that run a limited schedule like Bayne. He could easily sneak back into the top 20 this weekend, and he deserves consideration as a C-List option in Yahoo! leagues.

28. Austin Dillon, #51 Tissot Watches, Phoenix Racing

After A.J. Allmendinger was listed on the initial entry list, Dillon ended up getting the nod in the Phoenix Racing No. 51 this weekend. He has been strong at the 1.5-mile tracks in his brief Nationwide Series career, and both of his victories have come at tracks with the "cookie-cutter" layout. More importantly, he finished a respectable 21st in the first Cup race at a 1.5-mile track this year in Las Vegas. Don't be surprised if he makes a push to crack the top 20 again this weekend and turns out to be a decent sleeper option in fantasy leagues.

29. David Ragan, #34 CSX Transportation/Peanut Patch, Front Row Motorsports [Yahoo Class C]

He reeled off four straight top-15 finishes at Texas from 2010-11 with Roush Fenway Racing, but reality hit last year as Ragan failed to crack the top 25 in either start at the track with Front Row Motorsports. He hasn't been much more than a 25th-place driver so far in 2013, and his past success at Texas doesn't really help out fantasy owners when it comes to Saturday's race.

30. Danica Patrick, #10 GoDaddy.com, Stewart-Haas Racing [Yahoo Class C]

She is coming of a rock solid effort at Martinsville, and it will be interesting to see if the momentum helps even out her performances. Patrick did finish in the top 25 at Texas last fall in her track debut, but until she shows some signs of consistency, there is no use gambling on her.