Driver Recommendations for 2010 Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

This is the second race at Atlanta.  In 2011 we won’t be able to say that since Atlanta is having their spring race taken away, and will only host one race.  Seven different chasers have won here, and seven chasers are in the top ten for best average finish at the track, so there are plenty of chasers to choose from this week. 

Some of the drivers have been pretty hot over the last five races, and others have been pretty cold.  Here are some drivers with the worst average finishes over the last five races; Jimmie Johnson (21.4), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (22.4), Brad Keselowski (22.4), Elliott Sadler (27.8), and Bobby Labonte (33).

This Week’s Recommendations

Chaser: Kurt Busch
Kurt is hit or miss at Atlanta.  In the 12 races that he stayed out of trouble his worst finish is 14^th.  In the 7 other races he’s finished 32^nd or worse.  So, will Kurt stay out of trouble this weekend?  Well, he won here earlier this season, but finished 38^th in this race last year.  This should be one of the good races for Kurt.  He’s won two of the last three here, and I think he can get his 4^th career win at the track this weekend.

Alternate Chaser: Jeff Gordon
Jeff has five top ten finishes in the last six races in Atlanta and 23 top ten finishes in 36 career races.  I would have picked him as the main chaser, but he hasn’t won here since 2003.  He should be good for a top ten, but not sure if he can come home with his first win of the season.  His 12.4 average finish is good enough for 4^th best among active drivers. 

Matt Kenseth & Kevin Harvick
I know I’ve been picking Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick a lot this season, but they’re both having great seasons and should have been main-stays on your roster this season.  Both have finished well at Atlanta in the previous four races at the track and both have very good average finishes over the last five races of the season.  There is no reason you couldn’t leave these two on your team to collect points until the chase begins.

Dark Horse: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
I know I told you earlier that Dale has been averaging a horrible 22.4 average finish over the last five races, but he does have a good record in Atlanta.  He averages a 12^th place finish here, has won a race, 8 top fives, and 10 top tens in 22 career races.  It’s been an ugly season for Jr., but he finished a respectable 13^th in Bristol, and could contend for a top ten this weekend.