Here are my early early early driver rankings for the upcoming Daytona 500. I compiled them by crunching the loop data for the past four plate races and the qualifying data from past two races at Talladega (qualifying was rained out at both Daytona races last year). I think these two metrics reflect speed, the ability to pass and the ability (and inclination) to run a lot of laps up front, all of which should give me the best chance to get in the ballpark with race-result predictions.
Note: These rankings are rough, not least of which because I’m not even sure yet what the final entry list will look like. I’ll update the rankings as we work our way through Speedweeks.
OK, here they are:
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Jimmie Johnson
- Kevin Harvick
- Denny Hamlin
- Kasey Kahne
- Paul Menard
- Kurt Busch
- Brad Keselowski
- Joey Logano
- Matt Kenseth
- Ryan Blaney
- Carl Edwards
- Clint Bowyer
- Jamie McMurray
- Kyle Busch
- Austin Dillon
- Kyle Larson
- Chase Elliott
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Greg Biffle
- David Ragan
- Trevor Bayne
- Ryan Newman
- Danica Patrick
- Casey Mears
- Aric Almirola
- Justin Allgaier
- Brian Scott
- Michael McDowell
- Chris Buescher
- Michael Annett
- Cole Whitt
- David Gilliland
- AJ Allmendinger
- Michael Waltrip
- Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Alex Bowman
- Landon Cassill
- Matt DiBenedetto
- J.J. Yeley
- Josh Wise
- Jeb Burton
No Daytona Rides? Gilliland, Bowman, Yeley, Wise, Burton, J Earnhardt
Has Rides: Stewart replacement, Ragan 23, Ty Dillon 95, Labonte 32, Smith 7, 93?,
? 62,40,33, else?
Will we see 40 or 43 on the track this year? Has that been decided?
Hi Ray! Yeah, I’m still really foggy on who’s in/out. I’ve been out of the loop on purpose, to refresh for this season’s grind. Thanks for the info/questions! So is Labonte in for J Earnhardt for just Daytona? Man, I gotta plug back in.