Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Homestead

Bowyer's Chase in 2008 has been less celebrated than his push towards a possible championship in 2007. He couldn't seal the deal at Homestead last year, where he ended up 39th. However, he was 10th in 2006, and he is motivated to battle teammates Burton and Harvick for a spot in the season Top 5.

After a blazing start to 2008, Earnhardt is heading into 2009 with a whimper. He has run strong at Martinsville and Phoenix, but his 2008 Chase runs have been nothing to remember. It's best to leave him off your roster this week and wait until next year.

Truex had equipment trouble again last weekend and his car overheated. He was 6th last fall at Homestead, and should be a solid class B selection assuming his car makes it to the end of the race.

Stewart was awesome on the old configuration at Homestead-Miami, but he has lost a little something since the track was redone in 2003. He hasn't finished better than 15th in his last three trips to the track, and seems to be on coast mode going into 2009.

Labonte actually won the first race on the new configuration back in 2003, but his only top 10 during the Chase was at Talladega (he has struggled throughout the past few years). He's a marginal class B consideration at best.

Montoya was 15th last season at Homestead. He shouldn't be on your class B roster, but this is a track where he may surprise people with a top 10.

Newman was 18th at Homestead last year; like Stewart he appears ready to move on with his career with a different organization. Look elsewhere this weekend.

All season, Vickers has been the consensus top driver in the class C group. He crashed last year at Homestead, but he has been very good on the speedway tracks this year. He led 64 laps at Charlotte during the Chase and led another 5 laps in Texas. His finishes haven't been on par with how strong he has been during the races, but there really isn't a better class C option.

Kahne was 2nd at Charlotte earlier in the Chase, but oddly enough that seems to be the only track this team has mastered all season. Other tracks (even those with similar characteristics) have given the 9 team fits all year. If you're looking for a reason to choose him, he did score a top 5 at Homestead in 2006.

In his last race with Hendrick, Mears comes into Homestead looking to make an impact as he heads into 2009 with Richard Childress. He was 16th here last year, and you can expect a similar result this weekend.

Reutimann was 10th at Texas a couple of weeks ago and has improved his performance over the second half of the season. He should improve on his 25th place finish at Homestead last year, and is a solid class C option this weekend.