Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Texas

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

I don't think it's worth sounding the panic alarm on the intermediate tracks yet, but Johnson has struggled a little bit with the new car. He isn't worth a class A selection this week despite his 7 top 10's in 9 starts at Texas. He struggled in Las Vegas and in Atlanta, where he finished 13th (wait for this team to get it right to start using him). Success is inevitable for the 48.

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

After some early season struggles, you could almost consider the former Cup champ a sleeper pick. Since he is a class A driver, he won't be on your roster this week. Still, he won't be a bad pick. He was one of the fastest cars in Las Vegas but was penalized early for speeding on pit road and was later involved in a crash. He was 11th in Atlanta and was great on the 1.5 mile tracks last year with finishes of 8th at Atlanta and Texas, 6th in Chicago, and 11th at Kansas.

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

Hamlin is coming off a great win in Martinsville, but shouldn't be on your class A roster this weekend. He was a solid 9th in Las Vegas and was 15th in Atlanta. There are just better options this weekend.

14. Kasey Kahne, #9 Budweiser Dodge, Gillett-Evernham Motorsports

Kahne was 6th in Las Vegas and is definitely a possible class B selection this weekend (despite his 28th place finish in Atlanta). Kahne has won on several of the 1.5 mile tracks, including Texas, and could surprise some people this weekend.

15. Casey Mears, #5 Kellogg's/Carquest Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

Mears was 13th and 17th at Las Vegas and Atlanta. Last year, he won at Charlotte, finished 5th in Chicago, and was 4th in Kansas. He is a plausible class B selection this week and finally has things going in the right direction after another rough start this season.

16. Brian Vickers, #83 Red Bull Toyota, Red Bull Racing

Solidly inside the top 35 and finally guaranteed a starting position on a weekly basis, Vickers was 9th in Atlanta after a 24th place run at Las Vegas. He was also 11th in Fontana and overall has looked much stronger than anyone else in class C.

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

Newman was 14th at both Atlanta and Las Vegas and was 10th in Fontana. He has been consistent, but not great anywhere. Nevertheless, he's a possible class B choice.

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

Martin will be piloting the 8 car again this weekend for DEI and he should again be considered for your class B roster. Martin finished in the top 10 in Las Vegas, but never really got going in his 22nd place finish in Atlanta. Anytime he is entered in the race, pay attention; he's almost always a good class B selection.

19. Martin Truex, Jr., #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Inc

It feels strange to rank someone who finished 3rd and 7th at Texas last season this low, but he hasn't been in the upper echelon of driver's on the 1.5 mile tracks this season. Truex finished 15th in Las Vegas and 21st in Atlanta and maybe it's best to wait for him to get going before you place him on your roster. He could be a great asset later in the season when his team picks up some momentum.

20. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios Dodge, Petty Enterprises

Labonte won't win while at Petty Enterprises, but he is consistent on the 1.5 mile tracks. He ran a solid 17th in Vegas and followed that up with a 12th at Atlanta, historically his best track. He has 3 career top 5's in Texas, but there are better class B options this weekend.

21. Travis Kvapil, #28 Ford, Robert Yates Racing

Kvapil should be someone you consider to round out your class C roster this weekend. He finished in the top 10 in Las Vegas and followed that up with a 20th place run in Atlanta.

22. Juan Pablo Montoya, #42 Texaco Havoline Dodge, Chip Ganassi Racing

Juan Pablo was 19th in Vegas and 16th in Atlanta. His 2007 5th place finish in Atlanta makes him an intriguing class B driver, but his consistency leaves something to be desired. He was 8th in this race last season, but don't bet on a repeat performance this week.