Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Pocono
Pocono is a unique track that is unlike any others on the circuit. It's a 2.5 mile triangle where fantasy players must rely a lot on data from last season. The problem: the new car has never been driven at Pocono. This should be interesting to say the least. It's never a bad idea to go with the Joe Gibbs cars at this point, however Kurt Busch dominated the last race here. Because of the "new car" variable, it's best to go with drivers who have had recent success here and that have been strong this season. Don't over-think things. Pocono is a track where trends don't lie: some drivers run well, some don't; but very rarely do you find a diamond in the rough or a guy who comes out of nowhere.
1. Denny Hamlin, #11 FedEx Toyota, Gibbs Racing
Hamlin dominated both races at Pocono in 2006, winning each time. Last season, he was extremely strong in the June event before pit strategy and rain cost him a shot at the win, and was 3rd in the second race. He has been a contender to win in each of his 4 career starts; you can't go wrong with him this weekend.
2. Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge, Penske Racing South
Kurt absolutely dominated the second race at Pocono, leading 175 laps after starting 2nd and gathering a win. He was also 2nd in both races in 2006 and if he had shown any type of pulse this season, he would be ranked first based on his run in August alone. He has more points at Pocono than anyone else in the last 10 races there.
3. Kyle Busch, #18 M & M's Toyota, Gibbs Racing
After 4 wins and driving like a man possessed every week, it's hard not to just rank him first all the time. Busch will be a solid fantasy selection again this week after finishing 12th, 8th, and 12th in his last 3 Pocono starts. He was also 4th at Indy last season, another flat 2.5 mile track. My personal recommendation would be to bench him this week and use him on tracks where you know for a fact he will probably contend for the win (not to say that he won't win this week).
4. Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor Sports
Gordon's last 3 starts at Pocono: 3rd, 1st, and 4th. Sounds like a pretty good class A option.
5. Tony Stewart, #20 Home Depot Toyota, Gibbs Racing
Stewart has been 3rd, 7th, 5th, and 6th in his last 4 trips to Pocono, giving him 13 top 10's in 18 starts. As good as he is, he's probably best used elsewhere (as one of the other guys ranked above him should start on your class A roster).
6. Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor Sports
Johnson was 5th in August and has a couple of career wins at the Pennsylvania track. He has 4 top 5's in 12 starts and 3 top 10's in his past 4 races (only a blown tire in June of last year has caused him a problem on this track). He's another strong class A selection, but is probably best used elsewhere.
7. Ryan Newman, #12 ALLTEL Dodge, Penske Racing South
Newman was 2nd in June of last year and has 5 career top 5's and a win in 12 stats. He was 7th in August and despite being inconsistent this season, is a solid class B selection this weekend.
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr, #88 AMP/National Guard Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports
Jr. had finishes of 12th and 2nd last season at Pocono, and also had one of the best cars in the field at Indy before he lost an engine. He should be a solid class B selection this weekend as he looks to rebound from a poor result at Dover.
9. Mark Martin, #8 Army Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Inc.
9 in 42 starts) and 29 top 10's. He has scored more points than all but four drivers in the past 10 races at Pocono and he has excelled in all types of stock cars on this track dating back to the 1980's -- another positive for this week.
10. Casey Mears, #5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports
This may be one weekend where Mears is actually on your class B roster. He finished 4th in this race last year and 10th in the August event. He has only 3 top 10's at Pocono for his career, but if he can improve upon last year's results he may be good for a top 5.
11. Clint Bowyer, #07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing
Bowyer had finishes of 10th and 8th last season at Pocono, and also led a few laps as a rookie in 2007. He's classified in the A group though and there are many better options.
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