talladega

For the super speedway races, I go along with the strategy of using guys starting in the back half of the field.  Especially in cash games, there's just too much risk starting anyone in the front half of the field given the wrecks and attrition rate we see at these races.  So there's not a whole lot of detail to go into until we know starting spots.  Here's a few notes to guide your lineup building:

Trucks

• In the last three races here, the strategy we use has worked really well.  Let's look at some specific results:
  • Last year, seven of the Top 10 starters finished 17th or worse.  And the Top 10 finishers were loaded with back markers who started 21st, 27th, 28th, 30th and 32nd.  That was more extreme then we normally see and the strategy paid off big time.
  • Two years ago was a bit more tame.  But still, only three of the Top 10 starters finished the race in the Top 10.  And the trucks that started 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th and 24th all finished in the Top 10.
  • Three years ago was pretty crazy too.  Four of the Top 10 starters finished 27th or worse.  The 22nd place and 24th place starters finished in the Top 10.  And the mid-teen finishing positions were filled with back markers who started 27th, 31st, 23rd, 26th and 29th.
• I don't focus much on this, but there are a few guys who have had a pretty good run of success at the super speedways (or at least avoided the worst of the wrecks).  If any or all of these guys are starting where we want them, they are top targets:
  • Grant Enfinger has four Top 6 finishes in the last six super speedway races.  He'll qualify too far forward for cash games, but is a good tournament play.
  • Austin Hill -- 11th, 10th and 1st in three truck races at super speedways.  Again will probably qualify too well to be a cash game play, but fire up for tournaments.
  • Spencer Boyd -- 13th and 4th in two truck races at super speedways.
  • Austin Wayne Self -- 9th in February at Daytona and has finished in the Top 20 in the last six super speedway races.
  • Jordan Anderson -- 9th, 7th and 25th in three super speedway races.
  • Jennifer Jo Cobb -- 19th and 11th in the last two Talladega races.
• I am not convinced that Norm Benning will run the whole race.  Other than that, I don't see any start and parks in the truck field.  

I'll add a few notes for the Cup Series race after qualifying on Saturday.