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Final race of the 2017 Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs: only 4 remain (Kevin Harvick, Brad Keslowski, Martin Truex Jr & Kyle Busch).
What: Ford EcoBoost 400
When: November 19th
Where: Homestead Miami Speedway
2016 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
Track: Homestead Miami Speedway. Home to the final race of the 2017 Monster Energy Cup Series (since 2002), this 1.5 mile asphalt oval speedway opened in 1995. The turns are 18-20 degrees in banking and the straightaways are 3 degrees. Sam Hornish set the track record here in 2006. The course features aqua, purple and silver colors, mimicking the nearby south beach ambiance. The stadium holds 46,000 seats, last year they got to watch Jimmie take his 7th career Series win here last year.
A Driver.
Martin Truex Jr. – Maybe I’m cheering for the lone racer who hasn’t won a series championship, maybe he has the best team and car as of late, maybe I think he’s the best racer on the circuit now, maybe I think he’s due, whatever it is, I’m all in on Truex Jr to win at Homestead Miami Speedway this Sunday.
B Drivers.
Chase Elliot. Another week, another heartbreaking 2nd place finish. Kevin Harvick flew by with 11 laps to go and never let up. Chase got his vengeance on Denny but didn’t get that elusive win. Perhaps he gets one at Homestead as he sits just on the outside of the top 4 or maybe (more likely) he’s a top 5 finisher but doesn’t win.
Jamie McMurray. He finished 5th here last year, he finished 6th last week at Phoenix and he stands a decent chance at a top 10 finish. He also rebounded off Phoenix earlier this year to finish 6th at the next race so maybe he can keep in that 5-6th place finish.
C Driver.
Daniel Suarez. I have 1 start left, he has been ok with a few top 20 finishes and I’m banking on him finishing strong at Homestead. Erik Jones wouldn’t be a bad start either, I’m going with Suarez because I have run out of starts from Erik Jones.
Dark Horse.
Kevin Harvick. I know he’s an a driver but this might be his last race. He’s coming off an emotional win at Phoenix, he’s coming to Homestead where he finished 3rdlast week and he could very well win to quasi-retire (pending no one signs him). One thing is for sure, he knows that a solid finish here can only help his chances of being signed for 2018 so he has a bit more at stake than most.
Year to date stats:
A Drivers: Avg Finish 11th (30th percentile)
B Drivers: Avg Finish 15th (41st percentile)
C Drivers: Avg Finish 18th (47th percentile)
Dark Horse Drivers: Avg Finish 19th (50th percentile)