NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Darkhorse Picks: Pocono Pennsylvania 500

July 28, 2010

The On Pit Row fantasy racing experts opinions of the best Sprint Cup driver currently outside the top 12 in Sprint Cup Series points, for this weekends race.

Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
Matt Mercer On Pit Row Juan Pablo Montoya 16 15.52
James Jones On Pit Row Mark Martin 7 11.62
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Jamie McMurray 22 23.33
Dennis Mickelson RaceTalkRadio.com Ryan Newman 12 11.33
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Joey Logano 25 14.14
Jerry LaggerEric McGuire One and Done Game WinnerFree agent Mark MartinJuan Pablo Montoya 716 13.4813.33
Charlie Turner On Pit Row Kasey Kahne 19 12.43
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Mark Martin 7 9.81
Adam Ansell Roto Experts Kasey Kahne 19 11.95  
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Dale Earnhardt Jr 27 13.19
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Juan Pablo Montoya 16 13.10
Lou Lauer USAR Fans Kasey Kahne 19 13.05
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Juan Pablo Montoya 16 14.81
Eric McClung On Pit Row Kasey Kahne 19 20.14
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Kasey Kahne 19 12.19
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Dale Earnhardt Jr 27 14.48
Chris Leone On Pit Row Jamie McMurray 22 20.19
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Kasey Kahne 19 11.00

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Expert Picks: Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono

July 28, 2010

Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Denny Hamlin 5 16.24
Jerry Lagger One and Done Game Winner Denny Hamlin 5 12.86
Dennis Michelsen RaceTalkRadio.com Tony Stewart 2 11.71
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Denny Hamlin 5 12.24
Eric McClung On Pit Row Clint Bowyer 15 15.19
Eric McGuire free agent Denny Hamlin 5 12.52
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Denny Hamlin 5 10.90
Matt Mercer On Pit Row Greg Biffle 1 14.05
Adam Ansell Roto Experts Denny Hamlin 5 15.76  
Chris Leone On Pit Row Denny Hamlin 5 13.67
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Denny Hamlin 5 11.76
CharlieTurner On Pit Row Kurt Busch 33 17.14
Lou Lauer USAR Fans Denny Hamlin 5 14.19
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Kyle Busch 23 15.00
James Jones On Pit Row Kyle Busch 23 13.81
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 10 13.05
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Kevin Harvick 4 13.62
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Denny Hamlin 5 12.19
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Denny Hamlin 5 16.67

Printable NASCAR TV Schedule for August 2010

July 28, 2010

Download your August 2010 NASCAR television schedule in PDF

NASCAR’ Sprint Cup Series travels to Pocono Raceway, Watkins Glen, Michigan International Speedway,  and Bristol Motor Speedway  in August. The Nationwide Series goes road racing in Montreal while the Camping World Truck Series heads to Chicagoland.

Click here to download your printable August 2010 NASCAR TV schedule

 

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500

July 28, 2010

Moving from the rectangle of Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the triangle at Pocono Raceway, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers will remain on a 2.5-mile flat track albeit with a different layout. Pocono is a unique course that features three turns, each modeled after different tracks. Since each of the three turns is different, Pocono has drawn comparisons to a road course. Turn One is banked 14 degrees and modeled after the defunct Trenton Speedway. Turn Two, “The Tunnel Turn”, is banked nine degrees like IMS. Turn Three, with six degrees of banking, is lifted from The Milwaukee Mile.

Chasing the pole at Pocono Raceway

  • Jimmie Johnson… Fastest in pre-qualifying practice in June. Started second and first in ‘08 (qualifying was rained out for both ‘09 races)
  • Kyle Busch… Won the pole in June.
  • Clint Bowyer… Fastest average speed in pre-qualifying practice in June; qualified second.

Here’s an explanation of the highlighted text in the rankings:

Y! A/B/C - The top options in the Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing game by driver list.

Value play - Sneaky plays at this week’s track. Drivers to consider as low-rent salary cap options or alternatives in allocation formats.

  1. Denny Hamlin… Four-time winner (6/10, 8/09, ‘06 sweep) at Pocono, average running position of 11th or better in eight of nine career starts. Y!-A1
  2. Kevin Harvick… Finished fourth in June, matched a career-high average running position of sixth at Pocono. Y!-B1
  3. Jimmie Johnson… Two-time winner (’04 sweep) at Pocono, average running position of ninth or better in six of the last eight. Y!-A2
  4. Tony Stewart… Two-time winner (6/09, 6/03) at Pocono, has finished 10th or better in nine of the last 10. Y!-A3
  5. Jeff Gordon… Four-time winner (6/07, 7/98, 6/97, 6/96) at Pocono, average running position of 11th or better in seven of the last eight. Y!-A4
  6. Jeff Burton… Finished seventh in June- five Top 10s, seven Top 15s in last nine starts at Pocono. Y!-B2
  7. Kyle Busch… Finished a career-best second in June, average running position of third. ARPs of 14th or better in four straight at Pocono.
  8. Clint Bowyer… Career-best average running position of sixth in June at Pocono, finished ninth. Y!-B3
  9. Kasey Kahne… Won 6/08 race at Pocono, average running position of 10th or better in four of the last five. Y!-B4
  10. Carl Edwards… Two-time winner (6/09, 6/05) at Pocono, average running position of eighth or better in four of the last five.
  11. Kurt Busch… Two-time winner (8/07, 7/05) at Pocono, three Top 10s in the last five- laps led in five of the last six.
  12. Matt Kenseth… Has finished 17th or better in nine straight starts at Pocono, average finish of 11.5. Y!-B5
  13. Greg Biffle… Average running position of 14th or better in five straight starts at Pocono.
  14. Juan Pablo Montoya… Has finished eighth or better in three straight starts at Pocono, average running position of 12th and 11th in the last two.
  15. Mark Martin… Average running position of 18th or better in all 11 races since ‘05. Five Top 10s in the last seven starts at Pocono.
  16. Jamie McMurray… Average running positions between 20th and 24th in five straight starts at Pocono. Y!-B6
  17. Joey Logano… Finished a career-best 13th in June at Pocono, average running position of 11th. Y!-B7
  18. Ryan Newman… Won 7/03 race at Pocono, average running position of 17th or better in all 11 races since ‘05. Y!-B8
  19. A.J. Allmendinger… Strong value play. Finished a career-best 10th in June at Pocono, average running position of 11th. Y!-C1
  20. Sam Hornish Jr…. Strong value play. Has finished 11th or better in three straight races at Pocono. Y!-C2
  21. David Reutimann… Finished 15th in June at Pocono, average running position of 26th. ARPs of 10th and 15th in ‘09.
  22. Martin Truex Jr…. Average finish of 17.0 in nine career starts at Pocono.
  23. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Average finish of 17.5 in 21 career starts at Pocono.
  24. Paul Menard… Finished a career-best 16th in June at Pocono, average running position of 28th. Y!-C3
  25. Brad Keselowski… Finished 21st in June, first career start at Pocono.
  26. Marcos Ambrose… Average running positions of 16th, 20th and 18th in three career starts at Pocono.
  27. David Ragan… Average finish of 23.1 in seven career starts at Pocono.
  28. Regan Smith… Finished a career-best 18th in June at Pocono, average running position of 23rd. Y!-C4
  29. Scott Speed… Finished a career-best 20th in June at Pocono, average running position of 24th.
  30. Reed Sorenson… Average running positions of 23rd and 25th last year at Pocono.
  31. Bobby Labonte… Three-time winner (7/01, ‘99 sweep) at Pocono. Average running position of 20th or worse since ‘07.
  32. David Stremme… Finished 24th in June at Pocono.
  33. Elliott Sadler… Average running position of 26th or 27th in three straight starts at Pocono.
  34. Travis Kvapil… Finished 22nd in June at Pocono, average running position of 31st.
  35. David Gilliland… Finished 33rd in June at Pocono.
  36. Kevin Conway… Finished 35th in June, first career start at Pocono.
  37. P.J. Jones… Driving for Robby Gordon Motorsports. First Cup start at Pocono since ‘07.
  38. Casey Mears… Possible start and park. Two DNQs with Tommy Baldwin Racing.
  39. Max Papis… Possible start and park. Four DNQs this season.
  40. Joe Nemechek… Likely start and park.
  41. Landon Cassill… Likely start and park.
  42. Todd Bodine… Likely start and park. Three DNQs with Gunselman Motorsports.
  43. Michael McDowell… Likely start and park. Three DNQs this season.
  44. Dave Blaney… Likely start and park. Four DNQs this season.
  45. J.J. Yeley… Likely start and park. Two straight DNQs.

Contender or Pretender: Pocono 2

July 27, 2010

Denny Hamlin (Contender) - No track on the circuit is more friendly to Denny Hamlin than Pocono. In total Denny Hamlin has four wins at Pocono including the last two times  the series visited this venue. Earlier this year Hamlin was dominate and had an average running position of 2.4 for the race. His 144.3 driver rating wasn’t to shabby either.

Ryan Newman (Pretender) - Over the last ten years Ryan Newman has the sixth best average finish (13.4) at Pocono. Much of his success over this time period is front loaded. In three out of the last five races at Pocono Newman’s finished 14th which is hardly the sign of a contender.

Carl Edwards (Contender) - The 99 team and the other Roush Fords have been getting more and more competitive every week since they announced they found problems with their computer simulation software. Since Daytona Carl Edwards has arguably been the best car over the last three races (5th place average finish over this time period).

Horsepower is very important at Pocono and at Indy Greg Biffle did a lot to dispel the myth that the Ford’s  are under powered. In the COT era at Pocono Carl Edwards has the second best average finish (8.4) and he’s led the second most laps (158) at this triangular track.

Dale Earnhardt jr. (Pretender) Earnhardt Jr.’s had some good runs in the past at Pocono and even this year he was more competitive than where he finished. Earnhardt Jr. had about a tenth place car and he still managed to finish 19th. The reason why they finished so poorly can be found atop the 88 pit box. It’s called poor decision making, and that factor will be there again this weekend.

Clint Bowyer (Contender) - Denny Hamlin may be the driver who first comes to your mind from the spring race at Pocono but don’t overlook Clint Bowyer. Before Denny Hamlin took over the show Clint Bowyer was looking like the driver to beat. He started second and led 59 laps early in the race. Clint Bowyer was also strong at Indy so you definitely shouldn’t be overlooking him this week.

Matt Kenseth (Pretender) - Pocono has never been a great track for Matt Kenseth. In twenty one races Matt Kenseth has only finished in the top five three times. In the last ten races at Pocono Matt Kenseth has only finished in the top ten thirty percent of the time. In the COT Kenseth only has one top ten at Pocono.

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

July 21, 2010

The historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built back in 1909 but the configuration has remained similar, a flat 2.5-mile rectangular track. The venue hosts the largest single-day sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500 but added an annual NASCAR event starting in 1994. The track lends itself more to battles for track position and fuel mileage than side-by-side racing so starting position is very important.

Chasing the pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    1. Mark Martin… Won the pole last year, started second in ‘08.
    2. Juan Pablo Montoya… Qualified second in two of three career starts.
    3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Qualified on the second row in two of the last three starts.
    4. Ryan Newman… Qualified third in ‘07 and ‘08.
    5. Kasey Kahne… Qualified fourth or fifth from ‘05-’08.

      Here’s an explanation of the highlighted text in the rankings:

      • Y! A/B/C - The top options in the Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing game by driver list.
      • Value play - Sneaky plays at this week’s track. Drivers to consider as low-rent salary cap options or alternatives in allocation formats.
      1. Jimmie Johnson… Three-time winner (’09, ‘08, ‘06) at Indy, has won three of the last four. Y!-A1
      2. Jeff Gordon… Four-time winner (’04, ‘01, ‘98, ‘94) at Indy, 13 Top 10s in 16 career starts. Y!-A2
      3. Tony Stewart… Two-time winner (’07, ‘05) at Indy, average finish of 6.8 since ‘04 Y!-A3
      4. Juan Pablo Montoya… Average running position of fourth or better in two of his career starts at Indy, led 116 laps last year. Y!-A4
      5. Kevin Harvick… Won ‘03 race at Indy, has finished seventh or better in three of the last four. Y!-B1
      6. Kasey Kahne… Average finish of 5.0 in four non-DNF starts at Indy, finished seventh in the last two. Y!-B2
      7. Jeff Burton… Average running position of eighth or better in three of the last four at Indy. Y!-B3
      8. Kyle Busch… Average running position of ninth or better in three of the last five at Indy.
      9. Greg Biffle… Average running position of 10th or better in three of the last four at Indy, three straight Top 15s.
      10. Denny Hamlin… Average running position of ninth in two of four career starts at Indy.
      11. Matt Kenseth… Since ‘05 at Indy: two Top Fives, two Top 10s in five starts. Y!-B4
      12. Clint Bowyer… Average finish of 13.5 in four career starts at Indy, one Top 10. Y!-B
      13. Carl Edwards… Two Top 10s in five career starts at Indy, average running position of 20th or worse in the other three.
      14. Kurt Busch… Average finish of 12.8 from ‘04-’07, 27th or worse in the last two starts.
      15. Mark Martin… Has finished 11th or better in six of the last seven at Indy.
      16. David Reutimann… Finished a career-best eighth last year at Indy. Y!-B
      17. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Average running positions of 10th and 13th in ‘07 and ‘09 races at Indy– DNFs due to engine in each. Finished 12th in ‘08. Y!-B7
      18. A.J. Allmendinger… Finished 10th in ‘08 race at Indy, average running position of ninth. Finished 20th last year. Y!-C1
      19. Jamie McMurray… Average finish of 16.1 in seven career starts at Indy, three Top 10s. Y!-B8
      20. Joey Logano… Finished 12th last year, first career start at Indy– average running position of 19th.
      21. Reed Sorenson… Average finish of 11.6 in the last three starts at Indy, one Top Five. Y!-C2
      22. Ryan Newman… Finished 13th or 14th in three of the last four at Indy.
      23. Sam Hornish Jr…. Average running positions of 27th and 26th in two career starts at Indy. Won ‘06 Indy 500, eight career IndyCar starts. Y!-C3
      24. Martin Truex Jr…. Three Top 20s in the last four starts at Indy.
      25. Brad Keselowski… No career Cup starts at Indy
      26. David Ragan… Average finish of 18.0 in three career starts at Indy.
      27. Marcos Ambrose… Has finished 22nd in both career starts at Indy.
      28. Scott Speed… Finished 31st last year, first career Cup start at Indy– average running position of 34th. Y!-C4
      29. Paul Menard… Average finish of 30.0 in three career starts at Indy.
      30. David Stremme… Average finish of 20.0 in three career starts at Indy.
      31. Bill Elliott… Won ‘02 race at Indy. Finished 26th last year, average running position of 15th.
      32. Jacques Villeneuve… First Cup start since ‘07. Won ‘05 Indy 500.
      33. Bobby Labonte… Won ‘00 race at Indy, average finish of 28.7 in 19 career starts at Indy.
      34. Elliott Sadler… One lead-lap finish in the last five starts at Indy.
      35. Robby Gordon… Average running position of 30th or worse in four of the last five at Indy.
      36. David Gilliland… Average finish of 22.3 in three career starts at Indy.
      37. Casey Mears… Average finish of 23.4 in seven career starts at Indy.
      38. Travis Kvapil… Average finish of 32.7 in three career starts at Indy, did not start last year.
      39. Regan Smith… Average finish of 35.0 in two career starts at Indy.
      40. Max Papis… No career Cup starts at Indy. Two starts in IndyCar Series.
      41. Kevin Conway… No career Cup starts at Indy.
      42. Joe Nemechek… Likely start and park.
      43. Dave Blaney… Likely start and park.
      44. J.J. Yeley… Likely start and park.
      45. Michael McDowell… Likely start and park.
      46. Todd Bodine… Likely start and park.
      47. TRG Motorsports entry, driver TBA… Likely start and park.

      NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: 2010 Brickyard 400

      July 21, 2010

      Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
      Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Jimmie Johnson 22 16.80
      Jerry Lagger One and Done Game Winner Jeff Gordon 23 13.25
      Dennis Michelsen RaceTalkRadio.com Jimmie johnson 22 12.20
      Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Jamie McMurray 1 12.60
      Eric McClung On Pit Row Jeff Gordon 23 15.20
      Eric McGuire free agent Jeff Gordon 23 12.90
      Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Jeff Gordon 23 11.20
      Matt Mercer On Pit Row Denny Hamlin 15 14.70
      Adam Ansell Roto Experts Jeff Gordon 23 16.30
      Chris Leone On Pit Row Tony Stewart 5 14.10
      Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Juan Pablo Montoya 32 12.10
      CharlieTurner On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 22 16.35
      Lou Lauer USAR Fans Jeff Gordon 23 14.65
      Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Kyle Busch 8 14.60
      James Jones On Pit Row Jeff Gordon 23 13.35
      Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Jeff Gordon 23 13.20
      Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Tony Stewart 5 14.10
      P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Jimmie Johnson 22 12.55
      Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Jeff Gordon 23 17.25

      NASCAR Fantasy Racing Expert Darkhorse Picks: Brickyard 400

      July 21, 2010

      The On Pit Row fantasy racing experts opinions of the best Sprint Cup driver currently outside the top 12 in Sprint Cup Series points, for this weekends race.

      Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
      Matt Mercer On Pit Row Jamie McMurray 1 16.20
      James Jones On Pit Row David Reutimann 28 11.60
      Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Juan Pablo Montoya 32 22.90
      Dennis Mickelson RaceTalkRadio.com Ryan Newman 17 11.55
      Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Dale Earnhardt Jr 27 12.65
      Jerry Lagger

      Eric McGuire

      One and Done Game Winner

      Free agent

      Dale Earnhardt Jr

      Juan Pablo Montoya

      27

      32

      13.60

      12.75

      Charlie Turner On Pit Row Kasey Kahne 13 12.55
      Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Juan Pablo Montoya 32 8.40
      Adam Ansell Roto Experts Juan Pablo Montoya 32 11.15
      Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Juan Pablo Montoya 32 12.05
      Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Mark Martin 11 12.65
      Lou Lauer USAR Fans Juan Pablo Montoya 32 12.30
      Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Kasey Kahne 13 15.25
      Eric McClung On Pit Row Juan Pablo Montoya 32 19.75
      P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Kasey Kahne 13 12.30
      Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Mark Martin 11 14.90
      Chris Leone On Pit Row A J Allmendinger 16 19.55
      Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Mark Martin 11 11.20

      Contender or Pretender: Indianapolis

      July 20, 2010

      Jeff Gordon (Contender) - In the last nine races at Indianapolis Jeff Gordon has only finished outside the top ten once, and that was a sixteenth place finish. Jeff Gordon’s been in every NASCAR Indy race ever held so if you pick him you shouldn’t lack confidence because he has four wins and thirteen top tens in sixteen races. His last win at his so-called “home track” (seems like he has a couple) was in 2004. Jeff Gordon has the fifth best driver rating over the last five years (96.2).

      Ryan Newman (Pretender) - Ryan Newman is an Indiana local but he’s never had the home field advantage. In nine races at Indy Ryan Newman has only finished inside the top ten once. His only top ten at Indy was in his rookie year so you certainly can’t say he’s improved here. Qualifying is extremely important at Indy and Newman can qualify good (7.4 avg start), but his 22.6 average running position should scare you off. Over the last five years Ryan Newman has the worst pass differential in the series at Indy (-115).

      Jimmie Johnson (Contender) - Jimmie Johnson struggled at Indianapolis early in his career but since he started winning he basically hasn’t stopped. Johnson has kissed the bricks three out of the last four years. Last year Johnson started sixteenth and drove up to the front of the field quickly. If you like to pick drivers who led laps than Johnson is your guy at Indy. He’s led the most laps at Indianapolis over the last five years (128).

      Mark Martin (Pretender) - Last year Mark Martin finished second at Indy and he has the best five year average finish (6.2). What Martin doesn’t have is momentum. Indianapolis is the one track on the circuit that most accurately reflects a teams true strength for the year and I don’t think the 5 team has it. Martin hasn’t finished inside the top ten for nearly two months.

      Tony Stewart (Contender) - Unlike his teammate Tony Stewart passes cars at Indy. Stewart has the best pass differential in the series over the last five years (+136).  Stewart doesn’t just pass cars at Indy, he’s also always near the front of the pack (8.4 avg. running position, best in the series).  Johnson’s won a lot of races at Indy lately but Tony Stewart’s scored the most points over the last five years (158.2 points per race).

      Sam Hornish Jr. (Pretender) - Hornish Jr. is a former Indianapolis 500 winner but that won’t translate into anything this upcoming weekend. His IRL championships haven’t meant anything in the Cup series yet. He ran strong at Pocono earlier this year and if you’re in a tiered fantasy league use him, but comparing performances across vastly different series’s is the wrong thing to do.

      NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: LifeLock.com 400 from Chicagoland

      July 7, 2010

      Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
      Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Kevin Harvick 34 16.53
      Jerry Lagger One and Done Game Winner Kevin Harvick 34 12.74
      Dennis Michelsen RaceTalkRadio.com Tony Stewart 9 11.68
      Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Matt Kenseth 13 13.21
      Eric McClung On Pit Row Jeff Gordon 3 14.79
      Eric McGuire free agent Kyle Busch 17 12.37
      Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Kevin Harvick 34 10.58
      Matt Mercer On Pit Row Kurt Busch 26 14.68
      Adam Ansell Roto Experts Kevin Harvick 34 15.95
      Chris Leone On Pit Row Kevin Harvick 34 14.58
      Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Jimmie Johnson 25 11.05
      CharlieTurner On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 25 16.05
      Lou Lauer USAR Fans Tony Stewart 9 14.21
      Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Kyle Busch 17 14.95
      James Jones On Pit Row Kevin Harvick 34 12.84
      Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 25 12.68
      Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Jimmie Johnson 25 14.58
      P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Jimmie Johnson 25 12.05
      Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Kurt Busch 26 16.95

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