Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Darlington

by Eric McGuire , Tuesday, May 06, 2008

This race at Darlington will be much faster than any seen previously, even though this car isn't as aero-friendly as its predecessor. Darlington was resurfaced since the last race there and the old bumps and sandpaper surface are gone. There have been two Goodyear tire tests on the new surface and times are around 18 miles per hour faster than last season's. In fact, the second test only occurred because Goodyear felt they needed to bring a tire to slow the cars down. One way or another, it will be an exciting race as always.

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

Sooner or later, Hamlin will finally get a win when he deserves it. He led 179 laps in this race last season, but finished 2nd to Jeff Gordon at the end. After his dominating performance at Richmond, he will look to score a victory this weekend. He has finished in the top 10 in each of his Darlington starts and should be on your class A roster this weekend.

2. Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor Sports

Gordon hasn't been as consistent as he usually is this season, but he battled back for a good finish at RIR after it seemed his day was going to be one to forget. He is going to a track this weekend where he has won 7 times and has a ridiculous 15 top 5's in 27 starts. He won this race last year and should be the other class A driver on your roster this weekend.

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

Biffle won this race in 2005 and 2006, and was one of three lucky drivers to participate in each of Goodyear's tire tests (the others were Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon). Having some experience on the new surface certainly won't hurt and the odds are that he will improve on that 15th place finish from last season. His two wins at Darlington make him the top class B selection this weekend.

4. Carl Edwards, #99 Office Depot Ford, Roush-Fenway Racing

Edwards has 3 top 10's in 4 starts at Darlington and finished 5th after leading 39 laps last season. Don't underestimate the value of having a teammate test on the surface, as Edwards could continue his 2008 speedway dominance with a win.

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

Newman finished 4th last season in this race, leading 39 laps and giving him 5 top 5's in 9 starts at Darlington. He was another of the lucky three test drivers on the new surface and is another top class B choice this weekend.

6. Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor Sports

Johnson won both Darlington events in 2004 and finished 3rd in this race last season after leading 44 laps. He is another solid class A option, even though he isn't having his best season. He has only finished outside of the top 10 once in 9 starts and has 5 top 5's in his last 6 Darlington starts.

7. Kyle Busch, #18 M & M's Toyota, Gibbs Racing

Ignore Busch's 37th place finish last season at Darlington. He was 7th in 2006 and has been a contender each weekend. The only worry you have as a fantasy player is overusing him. If you play in a Yahoo league, make sure you use him on weekends where he will have a good shot to win, because he has a legitimate shot at most tracks.

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

Like Kyle Busch, Jr. has been a contender most weekends. Each of these guys is a good class B play almost every weekend; as a fantasy player you just have to make sure you're using them at the right time. Earnhardt was 8th in this race last season and coming off another race where he had a shot to win, will be hungry. The downside: he only has 2 top 5's in 13 starts at Darlington, although he has been 11th or better in his last 5 starts.

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

Stewart still hasn't won this season and has looked like the third best driver in his own stable. He finished 6th last season in this event, but has just 2 top 5's in 15 starts at Darlington and is better used elsewhere.

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

Bowyer is coming off a big win at RIR, the second of his career. Ten years from now, nobody will remember that he was fourth in line for the victory, just that he ended up in Victory Lane. The 07 team led 16 laps last May and finished 9th. There are better class A choices, but he should be very competitive.

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

Martin has had a great shot to win in his last two races with DEI. He was dominant in Phoenix late in the race and was a solid top 5 car all day in Richmond. He was 14th in this race last season, his first finish outside the top 10 in his last 5 Darlington starts. He has a win, 41 starts, and 25 top 10's and is once again a solid class B selection.

12. Jeff Burton, #31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

Burton has 14 top 10's and 2 wins in 25 starts at Darlington and was 10th in this race last season. That said, there are better class A options this weekend, as there are other drivers with a better shot at the win.

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