Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Homestead

by Eric McGuire , Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Homestead is a track that Roush Racing dominates. This weekend look for someone with nothing to lose like Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, and Greg Biffle to race hard for the win. Johnson will probably win the title barring some mechanical failure or wreck, but I don't think this is the weekend you want to use him on your class A roster since he has so much to lose by racing aggressively.

This weekend will mark the sixth event at Homestead since the track was reconfigured and banking was added in the turns prior to the race in 2003. Of those five previous races, four have been won by Roush Racing. That's just food for thought.

This is the last event of 2008, so enjoy and get ready for 2009.

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

Edwards is a Roush driver that has never won at Homestead, although he has undoubtedly had the strongest year of anyone in the Roush stable. He has been dominant on the intermediate speedways (see wins at Atlanta, Michigan, and a sweep at Texas for evidence) and should be on your class A roster this weekend after a 5th place finish in Homestead last season.

2. Matt Kenseth, #17 DeWalt Tools Ford, Roush-Fenway Racing

Kenseth won this race last season in dominating fashion, leading 214 laps. He has been strong this season on the speedways as well, and is a fantastic class A choice.

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

Biffle should be locked into your class B roster based on his three straight wins at Homestead from 2004 to 2006. He was 13th here last season, and has been strong on the speedway tracks all year.

4. Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge, Penske Racing South

Busch could be considered a sleeper in the class A group this weekend. He was 2nd at Homestead last year, and this team has come alive with a 3rd place finish in Charlotte, a 6th place run in Atlanta, and a 2nd place run at Phoenix during the Chase. He is primed for a top 5 this weekend.

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

Hamlin was 3rd last season at Homestead, and has returned to form with great finishes at Martinsville (5th), Atlanta (3rd), and Phoenix (5th). He is an alternate choice in the class A group this week.

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

McMurray was just 14th last season at Homestead, so why the high ranking? In the last 5 races, McMurray was 5th at Charlotte, led early at Martinsville before mechanical issues, finished 7th at Atlanta, and was 3rd at both Texas and Phoenix. This team is coming on strong and the organization as a whole has Homestead figured out.

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

Gordon was 4th at Homestead last season, and he is aware that this is his last shot at notching a victory in 2008. He has not been winless for an entire year since his rookie season. I have a feeling he is going to bring it all this weekend, but I don't think it will be enough to place him on your class A roster.

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

Burton was 8th last season at Homestead -- his best run since the track was reconfigured. His 9th place finish at Phoenix last week was his first top 10 since he had 5 straight top 10's to start the Chase. Look for him to run well again this weekend, but be a notch below the Roush drivers.

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

Johnson probably won't be a guy you want on your class A roster this weekend, as he will be running for the championship. However, should Edwards fall out of the race early you may see a different driver and team capable of going for broke and winning the race. Despite his 7th place finish at Homestead a year ago, there are guys in better situations to race hard this weekend.

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

A year ago, Ragan finished 10th at Homestead-Miami Speedway, not all that remarkable for a Roush driver on the Florida track. He should be strong again this weekend, and is a solid class B choice.

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

Busch was floundering when the Chase started, but he should be on your class B roster this weekend if you haven't already used him the maximum number of times. Over the past 5 races, he has 4 top 10's and is getting back on his game.

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

Harvick has been solid all season on intermediate speedways. He has 6 top 10's in 9 Chase races, and two other 13th place finishes.

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