The start to the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season has been dominated by both Team Penske and Joe Gibbs Racing. They’ve won nine of the first 10 races and 11 of the last 12 overall.
But, this could be a weekend we see a new winner.
Maybe Hendrick Motorsports or even Stewart-Haas Racing can take another victory from the “Big 2” in Sunday’s Gander RV 400 (2 p.m. ET/FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
In terms of Hendrick, you would think HMS’ best driver at Dover is Jimmie Johnson. I mean, he’s scored 11 wins in his career at the Dover International Speedway and has eight top 10 finishes in his last 11 starts on the Monster Mile including three top 12 finishes in his last four starts on the year.
For SHR, Kevin Harvick or Clint Bowyer may be their best picks. Harvick, led over 200 laps in both races at Dover last year including a win in the spring race. Bowyer, has two top six finishes in his last three Dover starts including a runner-up to Harvick last May. Both have been hot lately.
But, to me, Chase Elliott (Hendrick) and Daniel Suarez (SHR) are the best lines for each team.
Elliott, is coming off of a win at Talladega and has two top five finishes all season. But, he has five top five finishes in six tries at Dover including a win in the fall race of 2018. Out of those five top five results, four are in the top three.
Suarez, also has been great at Dover. In four career starts, he’s finished sixth, eighth, third and 18th respectively. On the season, he has three top 10’s in his last five starts.
These are two sleeper picks and very good options.
