While some of the fastest horses compete for glory at Churchill Downs in the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby, the best stock car drivers will be revving up their own steeds in the GoBowling 400. The Sprint Cup Series makes its stop at the Kansas Speedway for some high-octane action on Sunday.
Joey Logano. Jimmie Johnson. Kevin Harvick .The star power is sensational heading into Sunday’s race. Having trouble making your picks? Read on as we give you the top contenders heading into the GoBowling 400.
It’s going to be one hell of a fast-paced weekend. Get in on all the action with our complete preview for the Kentucky Derby as well as our experts picks for the GoBowling 400.
When it comes to the Kansas Speedway, Joey Logano has a track record of excellence. He has won the past two fall races at Kansas. He’s finished in the top five in the past five races at the track. Logano has the best driver rating, best average finish (third), best average running position (4.8) and has led the second-most laps over that five race stretch at Kansas.
Logano has one of the best cars heading into this race. A fast car should help him a lot, considering he’s been incredible at 1.5 mile tracks this season. He has scored the fourth most points and has a 5.7 average finish on such tracks. Las Vegas is the most similar track to the Kansas Speedway. He finished second at Vegas and led 72 laps.
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson is the best when it comes to Kansas. He leads all drivers with three wins at the track. He’s a hot pick to win this weekend considering how sensational he’s been on intermediate tracks this year. Johnson won this race last year and has finished in the top 10 in 13 of his last 14 appearances on the Kansas Speedway. He has a 2.7 average finish on 1.5 mile tracks this season and is tied for the most points.
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick finished second in the past two spring races at the Kansas Speedway. It’s about time that he finally won the GoBowling 400. He already knows what it’s like to win this race, having won it last in 2013.
Harvick has the best driver rating, best average starting position (5.7), best average running position (7.4) and is tied for the best average finish (eighth) since the track was reconfigured in fall 2012. He has also led the second-most laps (392) at Kansas. Harvick has a chance to visit victory lane with his fast carthis coming weekend. Stewart-Haas Racing has looked formidable this year and should have pit strategy on point for their flag-bearer.
Sleeper
Austin Dillon
Austin Dillon is getting closer to his first ever Sprint Cup victory. He was incredible at the Geico 500 last week, finishing third. He now has five top-10 finishes in 2016 and is getting more comfortable now on his third full season in the Sprint Cup Series. Dillon has finished 22nd or better three times at the Kansas Speedway; his best was an eighth-place finish in 2014.
Long Shot
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott cannot be ignored heading into Kansas. He’s been good at 1.5 mile tracks with the potential to place in the top 10 in each race. He was on the way to a top five finish at Las Vegas, the most similar track to Kansas, but a wreck had him 38th. On other 1.5 mile tracks, he finished fifth at Texas and eighth at Atlanta. Elliott has a chance to shine in this race.
