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Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Charlotte
The Cup Series moves to Charlotte this weekend, the seventh time the cars will race on a 1.5 mile track. This week is more predictable (if there is such a thing in NASCAR) than last, and most teams are relieved to be out of Talladega, where anything can happen. Several Chase drivers had trouble last week. Bizarre mechanical issues, blown tires, and random crashes that were not their fault were just a few of the things they battled on track, making Talladega a true wild card. Looking ahead, you will want some combination of Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, and Matt Kenseth at 4 of the last 6 events (Charlotte, Texas, Atlanta, and Homestead) just based on the way they have run over the past six to eight weeks. Select accordingly, but if you have already reached your limit with any of those drivers there are plenty of top guys to substitute. Lets face it, with the way this season has gone, several good finishes in a row could mean several bad finishes in a row for those guys anyway. Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor SportsJohnson won at Kansas, was 2nd in Chicago after he was passed by Kyle Busch late in the race, was 2nd at Texas, and led 35 laps in Charlotte before blowing an engine. His "bad day" at Talladega amounted to a 9th place finish, and don't forget that he absolutely positively owns Charlotte Motor Speedway with 5 wins and two 2nd place finishes. He has led laps in every race there except his first. Consensus number one pick, anyone? Carl Edwards, #99 Office Depot Ford, Roush-Fenway RacingEdwards won in Las Vegas and Texas this season and was 2nd a couple weeks ago at Kansas. He was 9th in Charlotte, but is an even better fantasy choice this time around. Greg Biffle, #16 3M Ford, Roush-Fenway RacingWas there any doubt that Biffle would be ranked next? He was 3rd in Kansas, backing up finishes of 3rd in Las Vegas, 4th in Atlanta, 2nd in Charlotte, and 4th in Chicago. There is no better class B choice, including Kyle Busch. Matt Kenseth, #17 DeWalt Tools Ford, Roush-Fenway RacingKenseth was a terribly slow starter this season, but has turned it on as of late. He was even running up front at Talladega before Carl Edwards wrecked several Chase contenders. He was 5th in Kansas after leading 49 laps, 8th at Atlanta, in contention for the win in Las Vegas before his late get together with Jeff Gordon, and scored top 10's at Texas, Charlotte, and Chicago. If you have used Edwards and Johnson too often, he is a great choice. Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor SportsGordon was 5th in Atlanta, 4th in Charlotte, 11th in Chicago, and 4th in Kansas. There was nothing he could do last weekend in Talladega, but he should be able to contend for a top 5 this week. Kevin Harvick, #29 Shell/Reeses/GM Chevrolet, Richard Childress RacingHarvick continues to impress on the 1.5 mile ovals. He was 6th in Kansas, 3rd in Chicago, 4th in Las Vegas, 7th in Atlanta, 9th in Texas, and 14th in Charlotte. He had a streak of 9 straight top 10's snapped last week at Talladega, but he could easily start another one this weekend. Tony Stewart, #20 Home Depot Toyota, Gibbs RacingIgnore the 40th place finish at Kansas. If Stewart can build off his win at Talladega, he may be the most valuable driver the rest of the Chase. He was 5th in Chicago, 2nd in Atlanta, and 7th at Texas. He also led 23 laps in Charlotte, but ended up 18th. Jeff Burton, #31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet, Richard Childress RacingSometimes I rank Burton way too low just because he's so consistent he's almost unnoticed. He once again showed up in the top 10 at Kansas, just like he did at Las Vegas, Atlanta, Texas, and Charlotte. Kyle Busch, #18 M & M's Toyota, Gibbs RacingBusch dominated in wins at Atlanta and Chicago earlier this year, and nabbed top 5's at Charlotte and Texas. He could easily win this weekend, but his luck as of late has been as bad as any other driver. The team doesn't seem as dominant as it did earlier this season, making him a notch below Biffle in the class B group. David Ragan, #6 AAA Ford, Roush-Fenway RacingRagan was 12th in Charlotte the last time here, and has scored several solid finishes on the 1.5 mile tracks this year. He was a solid 8th in Chicago, 8th in Kansas, 7th in Vegas, 13th in Texas, and 12th in Charlotte. He is a great class B option this weekend. Kasey Kahne, #9 Budweiser Dodge, Gillett-Evernham MotorsportsKahne was 15th at Chicago and 21st at Kansas. He is ranked higher than anyone on the downtrend should be based upon his win at Charlotte and 6th place finish in Las Vegas. Don't forget his 25th and 28th place runs in Texas and Atlanta when choosing him this weekend. Brian Vickers, #83 Red Bull Toyota, Red Bull RacingVickers finished 15th in Kansas and 6th in Chicago recently, and is easily the best class C choice this weekend. He led a lot of laps in Charlotte, where a wheel fell off his car ending his day early and also gathered a top 10 in Atlanta. Like Johnson, Edwards, and Biffle, make sure you budget his use the rest of the season as the top class C driver week in and week out.
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