Comments: NASCAR Picks for Daytona

The Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway this weekend for what is sure to be the toughest test of the summer for fantasy owners. The rule changes NASCAR made in the offseason to bring back pack racing certainly worked in the Daytona 500, but the inevitable result was a bunch of wrecked racecars. Owners need to be prepared for more of the same in this weekend's 400-mile race at the famed 2.5-mile track, and as always, a little strategy can go a long way.

There is nothing wrong with big-picture racing this weekend. In fact, it is a smart move, especially in Yahoo! leagues. Owners need to save starts from the guys that have been the top options this season and go with some sleeper picks. The bottom line is that a race at Daytona is basically a coin flip, and luck has as much to do, if not more so, with having a good fantasy day than anything else. If a couple of your picks end up getting caught up in a wreck, at least you didn't waste a start from one of the big guns.

1. Matt Kenseth, Husky/Dollar General
2. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew
3. Carl Edwards, Fastenal/Aflac/UPS/Subway
4. Kevin Harvick, Budweiser/Rheem
5. Greg Biffle, 3M/Bondo
6. Clint Bowyer, 5-Hour Energy
7. Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite
8. Kyle Busch, Mars Brands/Interstate Batteries
9. Paul Menard, Menards
10. Tony Stewart, Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1
11. Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance/Quaker State
12. Jeff Gordon, Drive to End Hunger/Axalta
13. Denny Hamlin, FedEx
14. Martin Truex, Jr., NAPA Auto Parts
15. Joey Logano, Shell-Pennzoil
16. Kurt Busch, Furniture Row
17. Jeff Burton, Caterpillar/Cheerios
18. Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's/Kobalt Tools
19. Juan Montoya, Target
20. A.J. Allmendinger, Phoenix Racing
21. Jamie McMurray, McDonald's/Cessna
22. Regan Smith, Guy Roofing
23. Marcos Ambrose, Stanley/Dewalt Power Tools
24. Ryan Newman, Quicken Loans/Haas Automation
25. David Ragan, CSX Transportation/Peanut Patch
26. Bobby Labonte, Kingsford/Clorox/Bush's Beans
27. Aric Almirola, Smithfield Foods
28. David Gilliland, Love's Travel Stops/A&W Restaurants
29. Michael Waltrip, Aaron's Dream Machine
30. Trevor Bayne, Motorcraft/Quick Lane