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Race Information
Race: Gander 400
Laps: 400
Date: May 5th
Venue: Dover International Speedway
2018 Winner: Kevin Harvick (3:28:37)
Broadcast: Fox
Course
Dover International Speedway. Opened in 1969, the “Monster Mile” 1 mile oval concrete track has 24 degrees banking on the turns and 9 degrees on the straightway. This is the third Concrete track that racers face after Martinsville and Bristol. The oils that hold Asphalt together grow more liquid during races meaning that there is more adhesive friction through straightways and turns but less abrasive friction which is where Concrete courses excel. Essentially on a Concrete course if you lose your grip you lose all grip vs. Asphalt you can regain your grip as you drift and sway. Control is very important on Concrete tracks.
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Power Rankings
The Favorites
Martin Truex Jr (2nd selection this year) — He has top ten finishes each of the last five years at Dover. He has not won or come in 2nd but has held a good track record of top 10s. He had a win two weeks ago at Richmond.
Chris Buescher, Martin Truex Jr., Matt DiBenedetto wreck late at Talladega https://t.co/3ZfBwl1dea pic.twitter.com/WtCCPnHhHh
— NorCalRacing (@NorCalRacingNet) April 30, 2019
Kyle Larson (3rd selection this year) — Kyle finished 10th here last year and that was his worst finish in four years. The previous three years he was a top 3 finisher each year. If ever there was a lock at Dover, it’s Kyle. His last few races have not been great with two last place finishes in his last four races.
High Risk / High Reward
Daniel Suarez (3rd selection this year) — He hasn’t been terrible this season but he has one top 10 finishes and sits at 12th right now. His last two years at the Monster Mile resulted in 6th and 3rd place and I feel confident we can see him bring in his 2nd top 10 finish of this year.
Jimmie Johnson (4th selection this year) — A 25th place finish in 2016 stands as the lone blemish for Jimmie who has two wins (2015, 2017) and a 9th place finish last year capping off a strong four year history here. Jimmie is coming off a 30th place finish at Talladega and has just one top ten finish in his last six starts
17 years ago today, Jimmie Johnson earned his very first Cup Series victory. pic.twitter.com/vAREQL12Pv
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 28, 2019
The Dark Horse
Daniel Hemric (1st selection this year) — After a myriad of finishes in the 20s and 30s he has back to back top 20 finishes including a 5th place finish at Talladega last week. I’m rolling the dice he can keep the hot streak going into Dover this week.
2019 Results
Favorite: Avg Finish 13th (34th Percent)
High Risk/High Reward: Avg Finish 13th (34th Percent)
Dark Horse: Avg Finish 20th (55th Percent)
Poll
Which Car Manufacturer Wins at Dover?
This poll is closed
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100%
Toyota
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0%
Chevrolet
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0%
Ford