Sorry for the delay in responding.
All of that helps a bit, but now some tips:
1) When getting started, perhaps the best thing to do is look at the RACING NOTES on the selection page. It's on the upper left side, by the name of the race, next to EXPERT PICKS. The racing notes comes out on the Wednesday before each race. These are VERY helpful. After you read a few of these, you'll be able to see more patterns, and you'll become a little more aware of some of the subtleties that affect the different drivers.
2) Racing notes get updated after the starting grid is determined. These will appear in the same location, and are called QUALIFYING NOTES.
3) Resist the urge of selecting your favorites so much in the early part of the season; every driver has to be spread out over a long season.
4) On group C, be on the lookout for the drivers who are out there to race at a specific course. Learn to recognize when certain drivers OWN a track.
5) As the season develops, look for trends to emerge.
6) If you KNOW you are going to miss a race, make your selections well in advance of a race. When I was in Madagascar in 2010, I had my picks ready 2-3 weeks in advance, so that I didn't get caught with the same picks week after week.
Hope that gets you going. Any other tips out there from the rest of the league?
Cheers,
Lavabe
2014, 2011, and 2009 Lemur Loving CTN NASCAR Champ. No lasers were used to win these titles.