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Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Ford of Roush Fenway Racing, will be racing on his favorite track Sunday when the Sprint Cup Series makes a stop at Dover (Del.) International Speedway, writes Johnny Benson of NBCSports.com.

Johnny Benson

Working in Kenseth’s favor
Dover is Kenseth's favorite track, and he races really, really smooth there. He’s been one of the more consistent drivers at Dover, and that’s likely because he feels so comfortable there. He has a knack for getting the most out of his car at this venue. The Roush Fenway Racer has a Cup win (June 2006), and two Nationwide Series wins at Dover.

Last year was an example of what a threat to win he is at this oval. He was fourth in this event, and second in September’s race. In 2007, he came home fifth in this event. And in 2006 he was not one to tangle with at this oval. In the spring event that year he led 83 laps on his way to the win, and he took a strong shot at a sweep by leading for a race-high 215 laps in the fall before finishing 10th. In addition to his win, Kenseth has two poles, seven top-fives, and 12 top-10s in 20 Cup starts at Dover.

His average start is 16.1, and his average finish is 14.1. He has led for 8.5 percent of the laps he has run. Particularly impressive is that Kenseth has led 626 laps in his last six races at Dover. If anyone is primed for a win at Dover, it’s the driver of the No. 17 Ford.

Other drivers to watch
Once the race gets underway it starts to get slippery at Dover, and drivers have to do a lot of finessing to keep in control of their car, and Tony Stewart is really good at that.

Dover is the type of track that Stewart loves, and he has the finishes to show why. In 20 Cup starts, the two-time Cup champion has two wins (both in 2000), nine top-fives, and 12 top-10s. His average start is 18.6, and his average finish is 12.2. He has led for 13.3 of the laps he has run.

Veteran Mark Martin makes no secret about how much he likes racing at Dover. The first time he ran this oval he knew it suited his racing style. Martin just feels really confident every time out at Dover.

Martin’s got extensive experience at Dover. This will be his 46th Cup start there. His Delaware resume reads four wins, four poles, 21 top-fives, and 28 top-10s. His average start is 11th, and his average finish is 12.8. He’s led for 8.5 percent of the laps he has run.

Jimmie Johnson, who is bidding for a fourth consecutive Cup championship, is 128 points behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon for first place in the standings, but Johnson could gain some ground at Dover, where he has enjoyed success.

Johnson swept both events at Dover in 2002, and picked up another win there in 2005. This will be his 15th Cup start at this oval, where in addition to his three wins, he has two poles, five top-fives, and nine top-10s. His average start is 12.8, and his average finish is 11.1. He has led for 11.3 of the laps he has run.

Dover is a venue where Greg Biffle has been able to run well over the last few years, picking up a memorable win in 2005, another one last September, and coming home second in September of 2007. The Roush Fenway Racing driver will be making his 14th Cup start at Dover, where to go along with his two wins he has one pole, five top-fives, and eight top-10s. His average start is 13.2, and his average finish is 11.2. He’s led for eight percent of the laps he’s run.

My dark horse is Martin Truex Jr., who won at Dover in June of last year.