The first elimination race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is this weekend with four drivers losing their chance to win The Chase following the Apache Warrior 400 at Dover International Speedway.
The track in Dover is known as the “Monster Mile” for good reason. It is tough on drivers, tires and teams. It takes complete focus to make it safely around the one-mile track with 24 degrees of banking through the turns safely, let alone have a chance to win the race at the end. Handling, speed, power and mistake-free execution on and off pit road are all requirements to win this race at this track.
Four of the drivers that are on the Chase Grid have less pressure than the rest. Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch have secured their spot in the next round of the NASCAR playoffs by winning the first two races of this round. There is a maximum of 60 points possible at each race, as a result of that fact both Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski have also secured their spots in the next round based solely on points. However, all four of these drivers will want the Playoff Points that come with winning stages and winning the race to hold that advantage moving through the next rounds of The Chase, so they will still be racing hard this weekend.
The 12 drivers who have not locked themselves in the next round on the Chase Grid have different paths to secure their positions. Some drivers simply need to finish the race at certain spot or higher to advance. Some need to finish at a certain spot with other drivers behind them at the end to advance. For some of the drivers the only way to guarantee their spot in the next round of The Chase is to win the race at Dover this weekend.
Which drivers have performed well over their careers with the challenge of racing on the “Monster Mile?” Let’s take a look.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Dover
- Jimmie Johnson – 118.3
- Matt Kenseth – 108.5
- Kyle Busch – 105.2
- Chase Elliott – 100.2
- Kyle Larson – 99.6
- Martin Truex Jr. – 96.1
- Erik Jones – 96.0
- Daniel Suarez – 94.1
- Kevin Harvick – 91.2
- Kurt Busch – 98.7
Names in Red are current Chase Grid drivers.
NOTE: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2017 races (25 total) among active drivers at Dover Motor Speedway.
When it comes to Dover International Speedway, there is one name that could be considered “The Master of The Monster Mile” … Jimmie Johnson. Jimmie has the highest driver rating, has the most wins at the track (not just among active drivers, but all-time) at 11 and was the winner of the first race at the track this season. While that does not lock a win for him, it is likely that he will finish high enough in the race to advance to the next round of The Chase.
Chase contenders Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman have both won three times at Dover during the Cup Series careers. Matt just needs a good day to advance on the Chase Grid while Ryan needs a very good day at least and possibly a win to advance.
Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch have two wins apiece at Dover and as mentioned earlier have already advanced to the next round with wins in this round. Both will want the Playoff Points for themselves and keep that advantage away from those they are racing for the championship, so they will be racing hard all the same. Martin is the defending winner of this race from the 2016 season.
There are four drivers with a single win at Dover in their careers of which three are Chase Grid Drivers. Those three are Bard Keselowski, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch. Brad is locked in the next round, Kevin needs a good day to advance and Kurt will likely need a win to advance to the next round or have a great day with others having really bad races.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the final driver with a single win at the “Monster Mile.” While Dale Jr. is not a contender for the championship, he is in his final full-time season as a driver. He wants to win before he retires and adding a second “Miles the Monster” trophy to his collection would be an amazing achievement in his final race at the track if he is able to play the role of spoiler to the Chase Grid drivers.
All of the drivers in The Chase that have never won a race at Dover would love to grab the playoff points and auto advance to the next round that comes if they can claim that first win of their career on the “Monster Mile.” Those non-contenders without a “Miles the Monster” trophy won’t get Playoff Points, but that would not lesson winning the race this weekend for them by much.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing at Dover International Speedway is thrilling and exciting for fans more times than not. Factor in the situations mentioned above and stage racing (stages one and two are 120 laps each and stage three is 160 laps) and this week’s 400 lap-400 mile race could be something to witness for race fans. The storylines will unfold and the Round of 12 will come into view when the green flag waives to start the Apache Warrior 400 presented by Lucas Oil starting at 1 PM central time (2 PM eastern time) Sunday October 1st.
By: Buck Stevens
