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Posted 10/13/2012 at 06:14 AM
1. Denny Hamlin (6/1): He didn’t wow us in Friday’s practices with single lap speeds, but he did post the best 10-consecutive lap average during happy hour, along with the best overall average speeds during his 46 laps run. He also ran the fastest lap during Thursday’s practice while in qualifying trim. Hamlin was already considered the favorite to win based on what he did all season on 1.5-mile tracks, specifically, winning at Atlanta. He hasn’t won at Charlotte yet, but did have a career best runner-up finish in May.
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2. Kyle Busch (7/1): He had the fastest lap during happy hour and looks to be the familiar Kyle we know who shows up strong at Charlotte every time out. He’s finished third of better in four of his past five Charlotte starts. Going back further, he’s finished eighth or better in 10 of his past 12 starts. He’s never won at Charlotte, but that might change Saturday night.
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3. Kasey Kahne (8/1): Not only is he a four-time winner on the track, but one of those wins came in the Coca-Cola 600 in May. He loves this track and it seems to like him too. Kahne ran 42 laps during happy hour, gained the ninth fastest lap, but more importantly, was second-best -- behind Hamlin -- in average speeds. Only Hamlin and Kahne were able to maintain a 184 mph average among drivers that ran at least 8 laps.
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