Our Report Card - C+

The 2005 Daytona 500 is history but the 2005 Nextel Cup Series is just getting started. As we head to the Auto Club 500, we at StatLeader want to look back at our predictions for this past week and evaluate them with the hope of improving our analytical methods. So, how did we do?

Of our top ten predicted finishers, 4 (Jr., Johnson, Stewart, and Lepage) finished in the top 10, 4 more (Burton, Waltrip, Kenseth, and Truex) did not complete the race. The remaining 2 finished 15th (Jarrett) and 24th (Rudd). We missed the boat on winner Jeff Gordon (predicted 17th) and 6th place finisher Mark Martin (predicted 30th).

Of the 25 racers who made it over 200 laps, our best: Greg Biffle (predicted 25th, finished 25th), Kevin Lepage (predicted 9th, finished 8th), Jimmy Johnson (predicted 3rd, finished 5th), Tony Stewart (predicted 5th, finished 7th), and Ryan Newman (predicted 22nd, finished 20th). Grade: C

We also advised you on who had a tendency to leave the race early vs. those who didn't. Of the six drivers we cited for early exits, five (John Andretti, Jamie McMurray, Ken Schrader, Mike Skinner, and Mike Wallace) did not complete this race either. Meanwhile, of the five we cited for not exiting early over the past six Daytona races, (Elliott Sadler, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Rusty Wallace, and Jeff Gordon) all five successfully finished this race as well. Grade: A and enough to raise the overall grade to a C+.

As the season progresses will be both increasing the amount of stat analysis and introducing league specific recommendations. Meanwhile, we are already working on our predictions for next week. Check back daily as we will also keep you updated on NASCAR events and information needed for your Fantasy Auto Racing success.