Comments: NASCAR Picks for Indianapolis

Next to the Daytona 500, this weekend's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the most-prestigious on the Cup Series schedule. Hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy is tops on any driver's list of career goals, but kissing the bricks isn't far behind. Even with the Chase looming and drivers desperately trying to sneak into the top 10, this is one race where winning is all that matters. Missing out on the playoffs will sting, but a victory at Indianapolis will go a long way to easing the pain. Expect every driver and team to be on top of their game this weekend.

Given the importance put on this race, it isn't surprising that the big names in the sport have dominated at the track. There have been 18 Cup Series races held at Indianapolis, and 14 have been won by drivers that also own a series championship. Six of the last eight races have been won by series champs, and eight drivers have won at Indy and gone on to win the series crown in the same season. In other words, fantasy owners don't want to get too crazy with their lineups this weekend. The big names tend to take care of business.

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