Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Phoenix

by Eric McGuire , Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Phoenix is a very unique track, as this one mile speedway is configured with a dog leg on the back stretch and low banked turns. Unlike Richmond, which is a D shaped short track, the dog leg at Phoenix is more of an actual turn. Because there really aren't any comparable tracks, fantasy players should rely heavily on the two races in Phoenix last year. One positive for fantasy players is that the COT was used in both of those races, adding an element to the information you can gain. Having a solid start to this season is important as well, while past visits to Phoenix should also play a part in your thinking process.

There are lots of good options this week. There isn't much difference in the top ranked fantasy driver and the tenth ranked driver this weekend, meaning everyone's rosters will look a lot different. This also means that anyone who does well will make up ground or increase their lead by more than usual.

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

Johnson came alive with a strong run last weekend at Texas. Phoenix was dominated by Hendrick Motorsports last season and Johnson was a big part of that. He was 4th in the spring and won the fall race, and was also 2nd in the fall of 2006. He should be the top class A option this weekend.

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

Stewart led 132 laps last spring and finished 2nd to Gordon, then followed that up with a 4th place run in the fall. He has 6 top 5's and a win in 12 starts at Phoenix. Gibbs Racing as a whole has been very strong at Phoenix as of late; expect him to contend for the win.

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

Busch has been a contender all season and Gibbs Racing always runs well at Phoenix. Kyle won at Phoenix in 2005, and had finishes last year of 7th and 8th. Expect a top 5 this weekend.

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

Edwards already has 3 wins this season and without some bad luck could already have 4. He was 42nd last fall in Phoenix after an engine failure, but he led 87 laps prior to that to follow up his 11th place run in the spring. He has 2 top 5's and 4 top 10's in 7 starts. Although ranked 4th, he has to enter the discussion as the top class A driver this weekend.

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

Kenseth is strong every single week and led 93 laps in the fall en route to his 3rd place finish. He has 5 top 5's and a win at Phoenix in 11 starts; expect another top notch run this weekend.

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

Gordon has been solid throughout his career at Phoenix, but his struggles as of late make him a better candidate for your fantasy roster later in the year. Still, he won the race here last spring and finished 10th in the fall; not exactly bad results. He has an average finish of 8.3 in 18 starts, with 8 top 5 finishes and 15 top 10's.

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

Hamlin ran great at Phoenix last spring, dominating a large portion of the race before he lost to Jeff Gordon via pit strategy. He was 3rd in the fall race at PIR last season and he just won at Martinsville (another flat track). Did I mention yet that the Gibbs cars are good at Phoenix?

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

Like teammates Edwards and Kenseth, Biffle has been strong all season and has 2 top 5's in 8 starts; both 2nd place finishes. He was 2nd here in the fall and while he hasn't been that consistent at Phoenix (with the way he is running now), he is an excellent class B selection.

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

Harvick was 6th in the fall at Phoenix after finishing 10th in the spring. He won both races here in 2006 and was still competitive enough to lead 54 laps on the track last season. He is another driver to consider for your class A roster.

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

Jr. has a couple of wins and 4 top 5's at Phoenix in 11 starts. He has struggled at Phoenix lately, but his ceiling is high on the Arizona track. He is a riskier pick at this track than others, but could gather another top 5.

Next Page >>