Phoenix International Raceway still fits under the wild card category. Before the most recent visit to PIR the track was overhauled. The surface was re-paved, re-configured, and progressive banking was added. We will use the data from that race as our focal point for this week.
One race isn’t enough to really seek trends or to get in-depth analysis from the numbers. Luckily we will get to see some practice before locking down our Yahoo rosters. We will still help you to identify a few drivers whom you should keep a keen eye on during that track time.
Also, be sure to view our other previews, chat, and Kyle’s practice breakdown to get the best review and analysis of practice that you’ll find anywhere. All are a definite must to help you to properly prepare and make those tough roster decisions.
Statistical breakdown of the Kobalt Tools 500. Nov. 13, 2011
| Driver | Start | Mid | Finish | HighPos | LowPos | AvgPos | % Top15Laps | LapsLed | Rating |
| Kasey Kahne | 10 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 10 | 68.3 | 14 | 112.3 |
| Carl Edwards | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 100 | 27 | 123.6 |
| Tony Stewart | 8 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 100 | 160 | 136.2 |
| Jeff Burton | 14 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 30 | 11 | 82.7 | 0 | 107.7 |
| Ryan Newman | 30 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 30 | 13 | 66.7 | 0 | 95.6 |
| Allmendinger | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 22 | 6 | 98.7 | 0 | 114.3 |
| David Reutimann | 7 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 8 | 100 | 0 | 103.7 |
| Marcos Ambrose | 3 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 28 | 9 | 91.3 | 0 | 104.3 |
| Paul Menard | 11 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 25 | 14 | 45.2 | 0 | 87.7 |
| Clint Bowyer | 28 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 28 | 20 | 14.4 | 0 | 80.8 |
| Joey Logano | 25 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 25 | 16 | 52.6 | 0 | 81.7 |
| Denny Hamlin | 33 | 19 | 12 | 8 | 33 | 18 | 45.5 | 0 | 72.9 |
| Greg Biffle | 29 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 29 | 19 | 18.6 | 0 | 70.8 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 16 | 27 | 14 | 8 | 31 | 19 | 24.4 | 0 | 71.5 |
| Juan Montoya | 26 | 25 | 15 | 8 | 29 | 17 | 42 | 0 | 77.5 |
| Mark Martin | 4 | 17 | 16 | 2 | 23 | 15 | 64.1 | 0 | 78.6 |
| Jamie McMurray | 6 | 6 | 17 | 5 | 26 | 15 | 44.2 | 0 | 84.3 |
| Brad Keselowski | 12 | 4 | 18 | 1 | 21 | 11 | 76.6 | 4 | 89.1 |
| Kevin Harvick | 27 | 29 | 19 | 11 | 32 | 17 | 56.4 | 0 | 80.9 |
| M. Truex Jr. | 5 | 8 | 20 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 65.1 | 0 | 84.7 |
| Bobby Labonte | 31 | 20 | 21 | 6 | 32 | 24 | 7.4 | 0 | 61.1 |
| Kurt Busch | 17 | 7 | 22 | 1 | 26 | 8 | 89.1 | 57 | 102.3 |
| Brian Vickers | 18 | 16 | 23 | 8 | 25 | 18 | 30.8 | 0 | 67.5 |
| D. Earnhardt Jr. | 22 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 34 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 57.9 |
| Cole Whitt | 19 | 22 | 25 | 11 | 32 | 25 | 5.1 | 0 | 58.1 |
| Casey Mears | 38 | 21 | 26 | 2 | 36 | 26 | 1.3 | 0 | 56 |
| Dave Blaney | 43 | 24 | 27 | 2 | 43 | 29 | 0.3 | 0 | 45.8 |
| J.J. Yeley | 41 | 31 | 28 | 1 | 41 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 45 |
| Landon Cassill | 21 | 32 | 29 | 18 | 34 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 50.9 |
| Mike Bliss | 39 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 41 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 42.2 |
| David Gilliland | 42 | 34 | 31 | 31 | 40 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 38.4 |
| Jeff Gordon | 23 | 30 | 32 | 10 | 32 | 23 | 23.4 | 0 | 54.8 |
| David Ragan | 13 | 37 | 33 | 10 | 42 | 36 | 0.3 | 0 | 32.8 |
| Matt Kenseth | 1 | 2 | 34 | 1 | 36 | 17 | 56.4 | 49 | 88.1 |
| Robby Gordon | 20 | 33 | 35 | 17 | 35 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 44.5 |
| Kyle Busch | 34 | 11 | 36 | 3 | 42 | 24 | 26.6 | 0 | 61.4 |
| Geoffrey Bodine | 40 | 36 | 37 | 33 | 41 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 33.1 |
| Regan Smith | 15 | 41 | 38 | 12 | 43 | 41 | 0.3 | 0 | 28.5 |
| Scott Speed | 24 | 38 | 39 | 24 | 41 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 32.4 |
| M. McDowell | 35 | 39 | 40 | 12 | 40 | 39 | 0.3 | 0 | 38.9 |
| Joe Nemechek | 32 | 40 | 41 | 32 | 42 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 34.1 |
| Mike Skinner | 36 | 42 | 42 | 34 | 43 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 31.5 |
| Travis Kvapil | 37 | 43 | 43 | 37 | 43 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 30.3 |
Looking at those numbers it appears several top drivers struggled. That isn’t necessarily the case and they shouldn’t be ignored. Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch are two A-group Yahoo drivers who fit that bill well. Do not write them off instantly. Both drivers are more than worthy of strong evaluation during practice for a potential roster spot.
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Love this new feature for this year. The graphs are awesome! Great to get a visual of some of the data. Thanks for putting this together. Looking forward to another awesome year at FNP.
Thanks Ray. It’ll be an every race preview. The look and feel may change a little from time to time. Still trying to get it sorted out the way I really want.
First Class info. Is this going to be an everyrace preview. This is one stop shopping. Thank you guys so much. All of you. Ray Miller