Fantasy NASCAR Preview: California (Fontana)

9. Dale Earnhardt Jr, #88 AMP/National Guard Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

Jr. had an engine failure last spring, but was very fast when on the track and finished 5th in the fall event. He also had a 5th at Michigan, and a 12th in the August race after he missed his pit box. He is a solid class B selection for this week, but fantasy owners may want to wait a few weeks to determine the best tracks to use him this season.

10. Tony Stewart, #20 Home Depot Toyota, Gibbs Racing

Stewart could very well dominate the race this weekend and win his first career race at Fontana. Still, for his standards he has a very average track history at California (3 top 5's in 13 starts), and is better used elsewhere in the star studded class A group.

11. Denny Hamlin, #11 FedEx Toyota, Gibbs Racing

Hamlin was the fastest car in testing at California. The team really figured something out, because both cars he brought to the test posted great times. He only has 1 career top 10 at Fontana, but was 5th in the August race at Michigan and looked like he had a car capable of winning. Because of his unproven track record, there are probably better class B selections, but his fast testing times make him more desirable.

12. Ryan Newman, #12 ALLTEL Dodge, Penske Racing South

Newman has won twice at Michigan in his career, and has a couple top 5's at Fontana. He had an engine failure in the fall race at California last season, but was consistently in the top 5 in testing at Fontana and is coming off a huge win at Daytona. He is a borderline class B choice this weekend.

13. Kasey Kahne, #9 Budweiser Dodge, Gillett-Evernham Motorsports

Kahne is no longer in the class A group, increasing his value for fantasy players. He struggled most of last season, but finished 10th in the fall race at Fontana. He has an impressive resume on the California oval, with 3 top 5's and 5 top 10's in 8 starts to go with 1 win, and he is a nice class B option for this weekend.

14. Mark Martin, #8 Army Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Martin did not run the fall race in Fontana, but was 5th in the spring race and looked strong for DEI in testing. He has 4 career top 5's and a win in 14 starts on the two mile California oval, and is a strong class B selection this weekend.

15. Greg Biffle, #16 3M Ford, Roush-Fenway Racing

Biffle has had past success at both Michigan and Fontana. He has a win and 2 top 5's in 10 starts, and has led an impressive 260 laps in his career there. Like his Roush teammates, he was strong in testing, and should run better than his 17th place finish last fall.

16. Clint Bowyer, #07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Bowyer was 6th in the first race at California last season, but was only 20th in the second trip to Fontana. He was also 3rd in the 2006 fall race, and has an average finish of 10.8 on the 2 mile oval. His fantasy value is decreased because he is part of the class A group, where there are stronger options.

17. Kevin Harvick, #29 Shell/Reeses/GM Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Harvick was 7th and 15th in his two Michigan starts, as well as 17th and 14th at Fontana. There are much better class A choices for this weekend.

18. Casey Mears, #5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

Mears was 15th at Fontana in the fall, and had runs of 4th and 11th at Michigan. He also ran well at Fontana in 2006, and is yet another good class B option.

19. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios Dodge, Petty Enterprises

This may be one of the best chances to use Labonte all season. He has 4 top 5's in 15 career starts, and finished 11th in the fall event. He had a 9th place run at Michigan as well, and last week was very competitive during the Daytona race. As with the start of any new season, it is possible that Petty Enterprises may have turned the corner once again until proven otherwise.

20. David Ragan, #6 AAA Ford, Roush-Fenway Racing

Ragan had finishes of 16th and 12th at Fontana, and he was also solid at Michigan with finishes of 18th and 21st. He is a solid class B option, but is definitely in the lower tier of B drivers and probably doesn't have a shot to win the race.

21. Jamie McMurray, #26 Crown Royal Ford, Roush-Fenway Racing

McMurray was 8th in the June race at Michigan and 16th in the last race at Fontana. He has the scored more points at Fontana than anyone but Johnson, Kenseth, and Kurt Busch in the last 9 events at the track; however there are better class B options for this weekend.