Comments: NASCAR Picks for Las Vegas
It was anything but a clam trip to the desert last weekend, as a trip to Phoenix International Raceway didn't exactly help fantasy owners recover from a wild Daytona 500. Blown motors, fuel mileage and pit strategy ruled the afternoon, sending several big names to bad finishes. On the bright side, it appears that Denny Hamlin may be working his way back into elite fantasy form, equaling his win total from 2011 just two races into the 2012 season.
This weekend's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway should continue the feeling out process for fantasy owners. The track's 1.5-mile configuration is the most-common layout on the schedule, and it is an even better predictor of long-term success than Phoenix. Call it coincidence if you want, but last season, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart dominated the race, finishing first and second. At the end of the year, the same two drivers finished tied for first in the standings.
- Tony Stewart, Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1
- Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's/Kobalt Tools
- Carl Edwards, Fastenal/Aflac/UPS/Subway
- Matt Kenseth, Husky/Dollar General
- Kevin Harvick, Budweiser/Rheem
- Greg Biffle, 3M/Bondo
- Denny Hamlin, FedEx
- Jeff Gordon, Drive to End Hunger/Axalta
- Kyle Busch, Mars Brands/Interstate Batteries
- Dale Earnhardt, Jr., National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew
- Marcos Ambrose, Stanley/Dewalt Power Tools
- Jeff Burton, Caterpillar/Cheerios
- Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance/Quaker State
- Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite
- Joey Logano, Shell-Pennzoil
- Mark Martin, Aaron's Dream Machine
- Clint Bowyer, 5-Hour Energy
- Martin Truex, Jr., NAPA Auto Parts
- Paul Menard, Menards
- Ryan Newman, Quicken Loans/Haas Automation
- Kurt Busch, Furniture Row
- Aric Almirola, Smithfield Foods
- A.J. Allmendinger, Kingsford/Clorox
- Juan Montoya, Target
- David Reutimann, Burger King/Doctor Pepper
- Jamie McMurray, McDonald's/Cessna
- Regan Smith, Guy Roofing
- Trevor Bayne, Motorcraft/Quick Lane
- Bobby Labonte, Kingsford/Clorox
- David Ragan, CSX Transportation/Peanut Patch
