Pennzoil 400: Power Rankings

Since the Yahoo format is no more, I will be adapting this year to a Power Ranking system. The rule I have implemented for myself are:

1.I will not pick a driver more than 10 times this season.

2.Due to #1 these are “Power Rankings” (in quotations) such that I’m not going to be picking Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch every week. I’m looking for value here.

My general format for my power rankings:

•Top 2 picks will generally be the favorites, the ones who should be top 5 or top 10 finishes.

• #3 and #4 will be your riskier picks, could be top 5 or bottom 15.

• Pick #5 is the dark horse.

Race Information

Race: Pennzoil 400

Laps: 267

Date: March 4^th

Venue: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

2017 Winner: Martin Truex Jr. (2 hours; 56 minutes)

Broadcast: Fox

Course: Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Built as a road course with a drag strip in 1972. It was later purchased by Richie Clyne and morphed into the current track in 1996. The 1.5 mile asphalt oval has banking turns of 20 degrees with a front and backstretch of 9 degrees. The track itself has seen success in ratings and revenue brought in. So much so that it will be taking the race from New Hampshire in 2018.

Power Rankings

1.) (Favorite) Martin Truex Jr. In the last 3 years at Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s early race, Martin has two finishes inside the top 3 spots. The other year? He was 11^th. I’m going with Martin as a top 5 lock for the race.

2.) (Favorite) Denny Hamlin is arguably off to the best start of any driver this year with a 3^rd place finish at Daytona and a 4^th place finish at Atlanta. He also has a good record early at Las Vegas where he finished 6^th in 2017 and 5^th in 2015. The off year (2016) he was 19^th.

3.) (High Risk/Reward) Darrell Wallace Jr. He came in strong in Daytona (thanks partially to a few wrecks) before a much more dismal 32^nd place finish last week at Atlanta. I think he rebounds back to a top 10 finish this week in the spot light at Las Vegas.

4.) (High Risk/Reward) Trevor Bayne. The perennial ‘teens’ finisher, Trevor had a great race going for a stint at Atlanta until the wreck. I think he can be a top 10 finisher after a 13^th place finish here last year and 17^th in 2016. His car is looking very strong in competition right now.

5.) (Dark Horse) Clint Bowyer. Finished 3^rd last week, he was 10^th here last year as Stewart-Haas vehicles are very competitive now.

2018 Stats

Favorites: Avg Finish 5^th (13^th percentile)

High Risk/Reward: Avg Finish 23^rd (61^st percentile)

Dark Horse: Avg Finish 24^th (64^th percentile)