2014 Lilly Diabetes 250 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Favorites, Sleepers and Drivers to Avoid: For just the third time in series history, the Nationwide Series will head to historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. Up until 2012, the series had visited Indianapolis Raceway Park, a short track, rather than a companion race with the Cup Series the 2.5-mile Brickyard. With the change, it should come as no surprise as several Cup regulars will pull double duty this weekend. After all, a win at a track as famous as Indianapolis means a lot, regardless of the series. On that note, here is a closer look at the top contenders from a loaded field.
The Favorites
The Nationwide Series has made two visits to Indianapolis, and Kyle Busch has led the most laps in both races. He was particularly dominant last season, starting on the pole and leading 92 of the 100 laps en route to the victory. Busch has had the best car in both Nationwide races at Indy, and there is a strong chance that won’t change this weekend.
He made his first Nationwide start at Indianapolis last year, and Kevin Harvick debuted with a top-five finish. Perhaps more importantly, he has been one of the best at the track on the Cup side. He won the 2003 Cup race, and his 10.9 average finish is the third best among active drivers. Harvick should be a major player in Saturday’s race.
Joey Logano has participated in both Nationwide races at Indianapolis, finishing seventh in the 2012 event and finishing third last year. He also finished a career-best eighth at Indy in the Cup Series last year. Logano will be driving for the Team Penske No. 22 team that has been among the best in the series all season, and after nearly winning at Indianapolis a year ago, he is a safe bet to be a serious threat again Saturday.
He will be one of the most accomplished drivers in the field Saturday, and Matt Kenseth is always a factor when he runs in the Nationwide Series. He finished seventh in his first Nationwide start at Indianapolis last year, and in his last 12 starts at the track in the Cup Series, he has eight top-10s, including six top-five finishes. His experience and past success at Indy should serve him well this weekend.
The Contenders
He continues to wow in his first year in the series, and Chase Elliott enters the series as the point leader after winning his third race of the year last weekend at Chicagoland. His three wins are actually tied for the most of any driver, and his eight top-five finishes and 13 top-10s lead all series regulars. Elliott has already shown on multiple occasions that he can take down the big names so there is no reason he won’t make some noise again this weekend at Indianapolis.
Although he finished 11th in his first Nationwide start at Indianapolis last year, Kyle Larson should make a big leap this weekend in his return trip to the track this weekend. After all, in 16 starts this year, he has two wins, 10 top-five finishes and 16 top-10s. Larson has also been tearing it up as a rookie at the Cup level so it is clear he has made major strides as a driver since the last time he raced at Indy. Larson has been one of the best in the series all year, and that shouldn’t change this weekend.
Sleeper Special
Rookie Ty Dillon actually made a start at Indianapolis back in 2012, and the youngster was anything but intimidated by the legendary track. Dillon finished third in his track debut, and he enters this weekend’s race on the heels of his first top-five finish of 2014 last week at Chicagoland. Dillon’s early success at Indy is a promising sign, and he could make a little noise this weekend.
Big Name to Avoid
He made his first start at Indianapolis in the Nationwide Series last year, and Regan Smith struggled to a 19th-place finish. Meanwhile, Smith tends to be more of a top-10 driver rather than a top-five driver, and this year has been no exception. In 18 starts, he has 15 top-10s but only four top-five finishes. It’s hard to imagine Smith providing more than a top-10 this weekend.
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