Race Preview: Kansas Speedway - Hollywood Casino 400 - 30/36 (4/10 Chase)

We’re already in the 4th week of the chase and next up is the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, which is everyone’s favorite cookie cutter, 1.5 mile track. Adding to the excitement, since 2011, Matt Kenseth has the highest average finish of 3.2, with JJ in second at 4.6. Kenseth also won the spring race and last year’s Hollywood Casino 400. Despite being the rare optimistic Jr. fan I think we all know the chase is coming down to Kenseth and JJ (Rowdy’s too big of a bitch to stay in it). Hopefully we’ll have a few Toyota foreigner blowups keep JGR out of the Chase victory and Jimmie can complete the six pack and bring another one home for Hendrick.

Back to Kansas. Dale has a real nice average finish here of 9.75, making him 7th among active drivers. Considering Denny Hamlin is ahead of him, we’ll call it 6th among active drivers.

Since 2001, Hendrick has been the best team at Kansas and Chevy cars have 7 wins at the Hollywood 400. Ford has 4, Dodge has 1, and foreign cars can gtfo with 0 wins at this race. Jr. came in 16th at Kansas back in April and let’s not talk about last year’s fall race. Predictions from all of the Dale guys will be coming Friday or Saturday. Some quick stats on Kansas can be seen below.

Kansas Speedway

Opened: 2001

Size and Shape: 1.5 mile tri-oval

Banking: 17-20 degrees in the turns

First Winner: Jeff Gordon

Last Race: 4/21/13

Last Winner: Matt Kenseth

Defending Champ: Matt Kenseth

Qualifying Track Record:

April 19, 2013

Matt Kenseth

Time: 28.145 seconds

191.864 mph

Dale’s finishes (thanks to www.driveraverages.com)

Race	Finish	Start	Car	Team	Make	Laps Led	Rating	Winnings
Apr 21, 2013	16	23	88	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevy	1	90.3	$100,685
Apr 22, 2013	7	7	88	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevy	0	108.8	$104,060
Oct 9, 2011	14	18	88	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevy	0	86.4	$102,300
Jun 5, 2011	2	28	88	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevy	0	87.5	$181,825
Oct 3, 2010	22	20	88	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevy	0	57.1	$97,225
Oct 4, 2009	36	2	88	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevy	41	99.4	$100,700
Sep 28, 2008	13	11	88	Hendrick Motorsports	Chevy	0	92.5	$104,475
Sep 30, 2007	10	6	8	Dale Earnhardt Inc.	Chevy	0	95.2	$157,883
Oct 1, 2006	10	12	8	Dale Earnhardt Inc.	Chevy	18	115.1	$135,741
Oct 9, 2005	34	38	8	Dale Earnhardt Inc.	Chevy	0	35.7	$123,733
Oct 10, 2004	9	8	8	Dale Earnhardt Inc.	Chevy	0		$88,500
Oct 5, 2003	18	3	8	Dale Earnhardt Inc.	Chevy	9		$110,267
Sep 29, 2002	6	1	8	Dale Earnhardt Inc.	Chevy	10		$96,700
Sep 30, 2001	33	22	8	Dale Earnhardt Inc.	Chevy	3		$80,423