Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Michigan

Ragan has improved on the two mile ovals (it definitely helps that he drives for Roush) and finished a solid 8th in June. He should be a nice class B option should you not want to use Earnhardt, Busch, or any of the other upper tier class B drivers.

Newman has won twice at Michigan in his career, but blew an engine in June. He was 10th in Fontana and should be a solid enough class B choice this week.

Hamlin was 14th in Michigan and crashed in Fontana earlier this year. He's best used elsewhere, but did finish 5th in this race last year.

Martin was 16th at Fontana in February, but ran out of gas at Michigan in June and finished 25th. Martin has 4 wins and 27 top 10's in 45 starts at Michigan and has had 4 top 11 finishes in his past 6 starts (Pocono, Daytona, Indy, and Pocono again).

Busch dominated the second race at Michigan last season, leading 92 laps and scoring the win. He was 13th in Fontana earlier this year and ended up 21st in June at Michigan. He's just not a good option at all while categorized in the class A group.

Typical Burton: a couple of average top 15's at Michigan and Fontana. You know he'll get some points coming out of here, but he probably won't give you a shot to win.

Allmendinger raced back into the top 35 (cumulative owner points as Mike Skinner has also driven the car this year) with an 11th place finish at Watkins Glen. His roll continues with 4 straight finishes of 20th or better (13th at Chicago, 10th in Indy, 19th at Pocono, and 11th at the Glen). He was 19th at Michigan in June and looks primed to borrow from teammate Brian Vickers' setup and get another solid finish.

Hold on to your hats. McMurray may be a good choice this weekend. He was 10th here in June, improving on the 22nd place finish in Fontana. Last season, he also scored a top 10 in Michigan and he may be primed for another good run with the equipment Roush provides at the 2 mile speedways.

Bowyer's best career finish at Michigan is 16th and he was 26th in June. He shouldn't be on your class A radar at all.

Sadler was 9th in Michigan, but just 24th at Fontana in February. Sometimes you get the feeling he's going to breakout (like after his 5th at Loudon, 4th at the Brickyard, or 12th at Chicago), but they are always mixed in with some terrible finishes (34th/27th at Pocono, 39th at Daytona) and you never know what you're going to get. Use at your own risk.

Menard should also deserve a look in the class C group this weekend. He was a strong 11th in Michigan in June. The downside: he only has 1 top 15 since then (at Daytona).