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Fantasy NASCAR Preview: Las Vegas
This week's race will be less difficult to predict that last weekend's California fiasco. That was one of the worst race weekend's I can remember. The race did provide fantasy players with more information about the Car of Tomorrow on larger, more aerodynamic dependent racetracks. This weekend the race will be on a much different type of track, and will give us valuable information for the next several weeks of fantasy NASCAR. This weekend, keep in mind that the track in Vegas is very similar to Atlanta, Charlotte, and Texas. We only have one race on record in Las Vegas with the new track configuration. Before this year, the track was much flatter, and more similar to the racetrack in Kansas. Take a look at last year's results in Vegas, but remember that teams have grown, regressed, and retooled since that race was run last March. Also, don't try to think too much this early in the season. Go with the consistent drivers until you can get a more accurate picture of which teams may be good sleeper picks in the coming weeks. 1. Jimmie Johnson, #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor SportsThe 1.5 mile king won the only race on the new track configuration at Vegas (to make it 3 wins in a row at the track) and is coming off a 2nd place finish to Carl Edwards in Fontana. He is the class A choice of the week, especially after winning at Texas and Atlanta in the fall.2. Carl Edwards, #99 Office Depot Ford, Roush-Fenway RacingThe 99 is coming off a win in Fontana, and was 6th in this race last season. He was 2nd in Atlanta and 5th in Charlotte last fall. Edwards was also fastest in final testing in Las Vegas in late January.3. Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chevrolet, Hendrick Motor SportsGordon's average finish on the 1.5 mile tracks last season was 9.1, best in the Cup series. He was 2nd at Vegas, won at Charlotte, and finished 7th in Atlanta. His 3rd place finish in Fontana and early dominance in the event shows that this team has the COT dialed in.4. Kyle Busch, #18 M & M's Toyota, Gibbs RacingBusch is red-hot, and it's a disservice to how well he is performing to rank him fourth on this list. After dominating much of the race at Daytona, Busch finished 4th in California. He may finally break into the win column this weekend, as he showed great consistency on the 1.5 mile tracks last season. He had finishes of 9th in Vegas, 4th in Texas (after leading 153 laps), and 3rd in Charlotte.5. Matt Kenseth, #17 DeWalt Tools Ford, Roush-Fenway RacingKenseth was 2nd at Texas in the fall, 4th in Atlanta, and led 32 laps in Charlotte before being involved in a crash. He is another solid class A choice after his 5th place finish in Fontana, but should be considered just a little lower on the list for this weekend.6. Tony Stewart, #20 Home Depot Toyota, Gibbs RacingStewart never quite got his Home Depot Toyota handling the way he wanted in Fontana, but was among the fastest cars at testing in Las Vegas. Last season, he was 7th in Vegas, 2nd in Atlanta, won at Chicago, and finished 7th in Charlotte. He is never a bad choice on the 1.5 mile tracks, but there may be better class A choices this weekend.7. Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge, Penske Racing SouthBusch's 11.7 average finish on 1.5 mile tracks was second in 2007 to Jeff Gordon. He was 8th at Atlanta and Texas, 6th in Chicago, and 11th at Kansas. He is a plausible class A choice, but might be best used on other tracks.8. Martin Truex, Jr., #1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt IncTruex is a great class B selection this weekend. He was 6th in Fontana, and last season showed great strength on the 1.5 mile configurations. He was 3rd in Texas after leading 16 laps, and led 135 laps in Atlanta before being involved in a crash. He should perform well.9. Jeff Burton, #31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet, Richard Childress RacingDuring the Chase last year, Burton was 4th at Charlotte, 5th at Atlanta, and 6th at Texas. He is coming off a 12th at California, and would be a great fantasy pick if he wasn't in the class A group.
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