Getty Images for NASCARThe NASCAR Sprint Cup Series moves to Kansas Speedway for the 29th race of the 2009 season, the Price Chopper 400. Brian Brown took a look at past performances, practice sessions, season trends, and spoke with NASCAR contacts to predict how the field should finish on Sunday.
When
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009
2:16 p.m. ET
Weather
A chance of scattered showers with a high of 61; wind out of the East at 8 mph. There is a 30 percent chance of precipitation on race day.
The Track
Kansas Speedway is a 1.5 mile quad-oval. It has 15 degree banking in the corners and 10 degree banking in the tri-oval and five degree banking on the straight-aways.
Key to Race: Kansas isn't just the name of a band
Kansas is another 1.5 mile oval which favors teams like Roush-Fenway and Hendrick Motorsports. Jeff Gordon is the only two-time winner, and Jimmie Johnson has taken three poles in the eight Cup races the track has hosted.
Qualifying Procedures
Forty-five cars will attempt to qualify for 43 spots. Cars not in the top 35 in the 2009 point standings will have to qualify based on speed. Starting positions 1-43 will be determined by a two-lap qualifying run on Friday, Oct. 2 at 4:40 p.m. ET.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Top 5 NBCSports.com
No. 48 Jimmie Johnson: Johnson dominated last year's race at Kansas. He has five top 10 finishes in seven career starts at Kansas. He will be tough to beat.
No. 99 Carl Edwards: Edwards has top six finishes in three of the last four races at Kansas. He does very well at 1.5 mile ovals and is a great pick.
No. 16 Greg Biffle: Biffle won the 2008 race at Kansas and has finished 12th or better in the last six races at the track.
No. 24 Jeff Gordon: Gordon has two career wins at Kansas and has finished 13th or better in seven of his eight starts at the track.
No. 14 Tony Stewart: Stewart has five top 10 finishes in eight career starts at Kansas. He won the 2006 race and is a lock to crack the top 10 on Sunday.![]()
6 to 10
No. 5 Mark Martin: Martin won the 2005 race at Kansas. He will drive his usual smart race and should finish near the top five.
No. 33 Clint Bowyer: Bowyer has always brought fast cars to his home-track. He is a great pick on Sunday.
No. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya: Montoya has been fantastic lately. We aren't going to pick against him.
No. 2 Kurt Busch: Busch led 76 laps on his way to an 11th place finish at Kansas in 2007, but he struggled in last year's race. He is a decent pick this weekend.
No. 07 Casey Mears: Mears has cracked the top 16 in the past four races at Kansas. He is a great sleeper option this weekend.
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