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Tag: 2014 Brickyard 400

  • Statistical Breakdown: 2014 Brickyard 400

    Statistical Breakdown: 2014 Brickyard 400

    As an avid NASCAR fan, I love NASCAR statistics. I mean really love them. Beyond the typical top fives, top 10s, poles and other statistics you can easily find on most NASCAR-related websites, there is a smorgasbord of statistics available that you probably never knew existed. This information is compiled from loop data that NASCAR has accumulated since 2005 when they began using computerized scoring loops to improve the accuracy of scoring during races.

    The driver rating is probably the best indicator of a driver’s overall performance. A perfect score is 150.0. It’s based on a formula that takes into account a variety of statistics such as finishing order, average running position, average speed and fastest lap. Bonus points are also a consideration. This is one of the tools that team owners and drivers can use to evaluate and improve their success on the track.

    I’ve listed below the latest numbers generated from the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Average Running Position

    Highest Average Running Position: Kasey Kahne – 4th

    Lowest Average Running Position: Alex Bowman – 41st

    Passing Breakdown

    Highest Percent of Quality Passes:  (A quality pass is made when a driver passes a car running in the top 15 under green flag conditions).  Brian Vickers: 50 percent

    Highest Number of Quality Passes:  Austin Dillon and Brian Vickers with 39 each.

    Highest Number of Passes made under green flag conditions:  Marcos Ambrose: 108

    Lowest Number of Passes made under green flag conditions: Alex Bowman: 18

    Highest Number of Times Passed under green flag conditions: Ryan Newman: 115

    Lowest Number of Times Passed under  green flag conditions: Alex Bowman: 13

    Highest Differential between green flag passes and green flag times passed: Aric Almirola: 35

    Lowest Differential between green flag passes and green flag times passed: Clint Bowyer: 25

    Laps Breakdown

    Highest Number of Fastest Laps: Jeff Gordon: 52

    Highest Number of Laps in the Top 15: Kevin Harvick: 153

    Driver Rating (A perfect driver rating is 150.0.)

    Highest Driver Rating: Jeff Gordon: 138.4

    Lowest Driver Rating; Alex Bowman: 24.8

  • Why the Brickyard 400 Could be Just as Boring as Last Year’s Race

    Why the Brickyard 400 Could be Just as Boring as Last Year’s Race

    The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the most coveted race tracks in the world. It has been the host of one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events since 1994. While some great NASCAR races have been held there, many fans, including myself, were frustrated by last year’s “yawn-fest” of a race.

    I am usually quite lenient on the dullness of races and I try to find some exciting aspect to it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any redeeming entertainment value to last year’s Brickyard 400. Sure, there’s prestige for the winner and there’s the mystique of The Brickyard history. However, does that mean the fans were truly entertained? No it doesn’t.

    According to Racing Reference, the race had 20 lead changes which sounds great, except for one major issue; the race truly didn’t have 20 lead changes. In fact, I believe there were no legitimate lead changes at all. In other words, all of the lead changes came during green flag pit stops. And it wasn’t even lead changes that were scarce; passing in general looked to be almost impossible.

    I’d love to tell you that that type of racing at The Brickyard won’t be seen this year, but I don’t see that happening. As you may have noticed, the new-and-improved Generation 6 car is faster than ever, and it wouldn’t surprise too many people if the track record at Indianapolis is broken again.

    Track records are great, but that increase in speed can lead to difficulties in passing, which is why I believe we will see a repeat of 2013. In fact, it would come as no surprise if we saw another Hendrick versus Stewart-Haas battle, only this time it would be either Jeff Gordon versus Kevin Harvick or Jimmie Johnson versus Harvick. It’s quite possible that Brad Keselowski could do very well there. But I believe Hendrick horsepower will shine.

    Beyond the simple fact that the higher speed, the less passing, the track is a general flat track, therefore lending itself to be a one groove surface. As a result, follow the leader racing becomes a common practice due to no second groove to work its way in. The single-groove syndrome is why other tracks, including Phoenix International Raceway, have switched to a progressive banking to therefore offer options across the track.

    NASCAR has tried to improve things with taking away the minimum ride height rule; however that hasn’t changed the racing that much, just added a bonus for the teams. It may be why there will be teams struggling who haven’t in the past, but it won’t help the actual racing product at the end of the day.

    So with that said my advice to you if you’re watching the race is to stock up on energy drinks so you can stay awake during what could be a terribly boring race. Here’s to hoping I’m dead wrong.