Pre-Race Predictions: Dover

 

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     As of May 2021, both of last year’s winners at Dover International Speedway have yet to be victorious. Denny Hamlin has had many great runs in Top-10, but has had trouble getting past 2nd place to win. Harvick on the other hand has been a part of Stewart-Haas’ downward spiral in performance, and has been the best driver on the team, scoring only four Top-5’s this season. 

This winless situation for both drivers leaves this Sunday’s race up in the air. Anyone could win, and statistics may not be so easy to rely on this time around. With that being said, they are our only chance to make prediction, so let’s look at the chances for this Sunday’s race at Dover International Speedway:

One's to watch for the win:

• Martin Truex, Jr. [No. 19 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - With a total of 9 Top 10 finishes in the last 10 races, including 2 wins, Martin Truex Jr. could be a huge threat this weekend, and may even score a victory.
• Kevin Harvick [No. 4 Ford / Stewart-Haas Racing] - Could Kevin Harvick score a victory, any time soon? Well if last year’s statistics have any meaning, Dover could just be the place that it happens. We better keep an eye on him. 
• Kyle Busch [No. 18 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - In Kyle Busch’s last 10 races at Dover International Speedway, has had one victory, and 3 Top-5 finishes. That is definitely not a guaranteed win, but it does show that Busch could have some success this Sunday.
• Denny Hamlin [No. 11 Toyota / Joe Gibbs Racing] - The 2nd most dominate driver of the 2020 season, is still winless this time around. If Denny Hamlin wants to keep the points lead, he will have to win at some point here. If statistics have anything to say in the matter, Dover might just be where Hamlin scores that victory.
• Chase Elliott [No. 9 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports] - The reigning 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion isn't doing a great job defending his role. Elliott might want to make a trip to victory lane before we have 16 different winners, or he could miss the playoffs altogether. Maybe Dover is the track where that happens.

A few other to keep an eye on:

• Kyle Larson [No. 5 Chevrolet / Hendrick Motorsports]
• Ryan Blaney [No. 12 Ford / Team Penske]
• Daniel Suárez [No. 99 Chevrolet / Trackhouse Racing]
• Brad Keselowski [No. 2 Ford / Team Penske]

Did I miss a Cup Series driver who has had some good luck at Dover International Speedway? Place your picks in the comments below, we’d love to hear what you have to say!