NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: Price Chopper 400 from Kansas Speedway

September 29, 2010

Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Jimmie Johnson 15.83
Jerry Lagger One and Done Game Winner Jimmie Johnson 11.21
Dennis Michelsen RaceTalkRadio.com Jimmie Johnson 9.90
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Jeff Gordon 12.59
Eric McClung On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 13.90
Eric McGuire free agent Tony Stewart 11.45
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Jeff Gordon 10.17
Matt Mercer On Pit Row Carl Edwards 13.55
Adam Ansell Roto Experts Jimmie Johnson 14.41  
Chris Leone On Pit Row Greg Biffle 10.69
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Jimmie Johnson 10.00
CharlieTurner On Pit Row Jeff Gordon 15.66
Lou Lauer USAR Fans Jimmie Johnson 13.03
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Carl Edwards 12.52
James Jones On Pit Row Clint Bowyer 15  13.90
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Carl Edwards 12.03
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Carl Edwards 12.34
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Kyle Busch 21  12.10
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Jimmie Johnson 15.45

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Darkhorse Picks: Price Chopper 400 from Kansas

September 29, 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 David Reutimann 35  15.10
James Jones On Pit Row Jamie McMurray 11  12.55
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox A J Allmendinger 10  19.66
Dennis Mickelson RaceTalkRadio.com A j Allmendinger 10  10.48
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Dale Earnhardt Jr 22  15.41
Jerry LaggerEric McGuire One and Done Game WinnerFree agent Mark MartinJamie McMurray 1411  14.1413.83
Charlie Turner On Pit Row Ryan Newman 14.38
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Ryan Newman 10.14
Adam Ansell Roto Experts David Reutimann 35  13.90  
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Juan Pablo Montoya 29  12.93
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet A J Allmendinger 10  14.48
Lou Lauer USAR Fans Mark Martin 14  14.41
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Juan Pablo Montoya 29  14.97
Eric McClung On Pit Row Jamie McMurray 11  17.97
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com David Reutimann 35  13.62
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Juan Pablo Montoya 29  15.62
Chris Leone On Pit Row A J Allmendinger 10  19.28
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Jamie McMurray 11  11.59

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Price Chopper 400 from Kansas Speedway

September 29, 2010

There are several factors that make selecting drivers for Kansas Speedway difficult. The site has only hosted one race per season and is still relativity new. As the track wears and drivers begin to learn the best way to get around consistent performances have been hard to come by. Among the seven 1.5-mile tracks on the schedule, Kansas features the least amount of banking. In terms of configuration it is most similar to Chicagoland Speedway, which held its single event in June.

Don’t agree with my rankings? Leave your comments below!

Chasing the pole at Kansas Speedway

  1. Jimmie Johnson… Won the pole in 07 and 08. Average start of 5.6 in eight career starts at Kansas.
  2. Mark Martin… Won the pole last year at Kansas. Started second in 08.
  3. Brad Keselowski… Qualified third last year, won the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

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… Won 08 race at Kansas. Four Top 10s in the last five starts. Over 50 laps led in three of the last four starts. Y!-A1
  2. Jeff Gordon… Two-time winner (02, 01) at Kansas. Average finish of 8.9 in nine career starts, three straight Top Fives. Y!-A2
  3. Denny Hamlin… Finished a career-best fifth last year at Kansas. Y!-A3
  4. Tony Stewart… Two-time winner (09, 06) at Kansas, average running position of 11th or better in four of the last five starts. Y!-A4
  5. Kevin Harvick… Finished sixth in two of the last three starts at Kansas. Y!-B1
  6. Greg Biffle… Won 07 race at Kansas, has finished third or better in five of the last six starts.
  7. Carl Edwards… Two Top Fives, four Top 10s in the last five starts at Kansas.
  8. Kyle Busch… One Top 10 in six career starts at Kansas, finished 12th last year.
  9. Kurt Busch… Finished 11th in two of the last three starts at Kansas.
  10. Clint Bowyer… Average finish of 11.0 in four career starts at Kansas. Y!-B2
  11. Jeff Burton… Two Top 10s in nine career starts at Kansas. Y!-B3
  12. Mark Martin… Won 05 race at Kansas, never held an average running position worse than 15th.
  13. Kasey Kahne… Finished a career-best sixth last year at Kansas. Y!-B4
  14. Juan Pablo Montoya… Finished a career-best fourth last year at Kansas.
  15. David Reutimann… Finished a career-best eighth last year at Kansas. Y!-B5
  16. Jamie McMurray… Average finish of 21.0 in seven starts at Kansas. Y!-B6
  17. Matt Kenseth… Average running position of 13th or better in three of the last five starts at Kansas. Y!-B7
  18. A.J. Allmendinger… Average finish of 13.0 in two career starts at Kansas. Y!-C1
  19. Ryan Newman… Won 03 race at Kansas. Six straight finishes of 16th or worse at Kansas. Y!-B8
  20. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Average running position of 10th or better in three of the last four starts at Kansas.
  21. Martin Truex Jr…. Average running position of 14th or better in three of the last four starts at Kansas.
  22. Brad Keselowski… Started third, finished 13th in first career Cup start at Kansas.
  23. Marcos Ambrose… Finished a career-best 14th last year at Kansas.
  24. Joey Logano… Average finish of 33.5 in two career starts at Kansas.
  25. Sam Hornish Jr…. Finished a career-best 18th last year at Kansas. Y!-C2
  26. Paul Menard… Average finish of 28.0 in nine career starts at Kansas. Y!-C3
  27. Reed Sorenson… Average finish of 25.5 in four career starts at Kansas. Y!-C4
  28. Casey Mears… Long shot value play. Average finish of 14.0 in seven career starts at Kansas.
  29. Bill Elliott… Average finish of 22.0 in the last two starts at Kansas.
  30. David Ragan… Average finish of 19.7 in three career starts at Kansas.
  31. Elliott Sadler… Average finish of 19.7 in nine career starts at Kansas.
  32. Regan Smith… Finished 32nd in only career start at Kansas (08).
  33. Scott Speed… Started 10th, finished 27th in first career Cup start at Kansas.
  34. Travis Kvapil… Average finish of 25.0 in three career starts at Kansas.
  35. David Gilliland… Average finish of 26.0 in three career starts at Kansas.
  36. Patrick Carpentier… Finished 29nd in only career start at Kansas (08).
  37. Dave Blaney… Average finish of 25.8 in eight career starts at Kansas.
  38. Bobby Labonte… DNF due to crash in three of the last five starts at Kansas.
  39. Joe Nemechek… Likely start and park. Won 04 race at Kansas.
  40. Kevin Conway… Likely start and park. No career Cup starts at Kansas.
  41. Michael McDowell… Likely start and park.
  42. Mike Bliss… Likely start and park.
  43. J.J. Yeley… Likely start and park. Five DNQs this season.
  44. Jason Leffler… Likely start and park.
  45. TBA TRG Motorsports entry… Likely start and park.
  46. TBA Gunselman Motorsports entry… Likely start and park.

Contender or Pretender: Kansas

September 28, 2010

Jimmie Johnson (Contender) – Johnson isn’t from Kansas but the 48 team certainly looks like it has the home field advantage heading into the Price Chopper 400. Johnson won this race in 2008 and last year he was the leader at the midpoint. Johnson also ran the highest number of fast laps in 2009. Also don’t forget it’s Chase time and were talking about Mr. Clutch Jimmie Johnson, not the Survivor contestant.

Martin Treux Jr. (Pretender) – If you’re a big loop data fan then you might consider Martin Treux Jr. at Kansas. His 14.4 average running position is the eighth best in the series, but Martin Treux Jr. is one unlucky guy. Despite his ability to run strong at Kansas his average finish is 27th. Treux finishes poorly because he’s unlucky, and that’s one intangible you can’t fix.

Carl Edwards (Contender) – In recent intermediate track races Carl Edwards has been extremely close to victory lane. In the last three non-concrete intermediate races Edwards has an average finish of 2.3 (Chicago, Michigan and Atlanta). Also don’t forget how close he came to victory lane in 2008.

Ryan Newman (Pretender) – In his first three Kansas races Ryan Newman finished 2nd, 2nd, and 1st. Since then he hasn’t finished better than 16th. His average finish in the last six Kansas races is 26.8. A perfect driver rating is 150, and in the last five Kansas races Ryan Newman has a measly 54.3 rating.

Greg Biffle (Contender) – Biffle is a previous Kansas winner and in the last three years he hasn’t finished worse than 3rd. His average finish in the last five years is the best in the series (4.2). Biffle has also accumulated the most points over this time period. Biffle was strong at Michigan so expect him to be a Contender once again.

Matt Kenseth (Pretender) – Matt Kenseth is a driver who I think you should avoid in the Chase. Before the Chase started I thought he would be the pariah of the Chase. Every Chase has one. Brian Vickers was it last year and there’s a strong possibility it might be Kenseth this year. In the last five years Kenseth has averaged 105.6 points per race at Kansas.

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway

September 22, 2010

Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Carl Edwards 5 16.32
Jerry Lagger One and Done Game Winner Greg Biffle 19 11.54
Dennis Michelsen RaceTalkRadio.com Kyle Busch 6 10.18
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Kyle Busch 6 12.86
Eric McClung On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 1 14.32
Eric McGuire free agent Kyle Busch 6 11.71
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Matt Kenseth 18 10.36
Matt Mercer On Pit Row Kyle Busch 6 13.82
Adam Ansell Roto Experts Kyle Busch 6 14.86  
Chris Leone On Pit Row Carl Edwards 5 11.04
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Kyle Busch 6 10.29
CharlieTurner On Pit Row Greg Biffle 19 16.04
Lou Lauer USAR Fans Matt Kenseth 18 13.43
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Kyle Busch 6 12.75
James Jones On Pit Row Kyle Busch 6 13.86
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Carl Edwards 5 12.25
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Kyle Busch 6 12.57
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Kyle Busch 6 11.79
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Denny Hamlin 9 15.93

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Darkhorse Picks: AAA 400 from Dover Downs

September 22, 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 Joey Logano 3 14.39
James Jones On Pit Row Ryan Newman 8 12.61
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Ryan Newman 8 20.00
Dennis Mickelson RaceTalkRadio.com Ryan Newman 8 10.50
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Mark Martin 12 15.18
Jerry LaggerEric McGuire One and Done Game WinnerFree agent Mark MartinJamie McMurray 1213 14.1413.93
Charlie Turner On Pit Row Kasey Kahne 28 14.57
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Ryan Newman 8 10.18
Adam Ansell Roto Experts David Reutimann 35 13.14  
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Jamie McMurray 13 12.36
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet David Reutimann 35 14.64
Lou Lauer USAR Fans David Reutimann 35 14.43
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row David Reutimann 35 14.46
Eric McClung On Pit Row Ryan Newman 8 18.21
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com David Reutimann 35 12.86
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Juan Pablo Montoya 14 15.14
Chris Leone On Pit Row Martin Truex Jr 34 19.61
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Ryan Newman 8 11.61

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: AAA 400 from Dover International Speedway

September 22, 2010

Physical racing on the concrete surface of “The Monster Mile” is commonplace. Despite being different in length and banking, I like to lump Dover, Bristol and Darlington together into one group. All three of these gritty tracks require the same type of disciplined aggression to get to the front. The eight races left on the schedule after Dover feature five intermediates, two flat tracks and a restrictor plate site. Plan your future lineups accordingly.

Don’t agree with my rankings? Leave your comments below!

Chasing the pole at Dover International Speedway

  1. Kasey Kahne… Qualified on the outside pole in June at Dover. Started second and sixth last year.
  2. Juan Pablo Montoya… Qualified third and second last year at Dover. Average start of 4.3 over the last eight starts this season.
  3. Clint Bowyer… Qualified seventh in June at Dover. Started fourth and second in the last two starts this season.

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… Five-time winner (99 sweep, 9/05, 02 sweep) at Dover. Average running position of eighth or better in five straight, third or better in three straight with an average of 264.7 laps led. Y!-A1
  2. Matt Kenseth… Won 6/06 race at Dover. Average running position of 10th or better in nine straight, seven Top Fives. Y!-B1
  3. Carl Edwards… Won 9/07 race at Dover. Average finish of 7.9 in 12 career starts. Y!-A2
  4. Greg Biffle… Two-time winner (9/08, 6/05) at Dover. Average finish of 10.5 in 16 career starts, has never held an average running position worse than 12th. Y!-A3
  5. Denny Hamlin… Career-best average running position of ninth in May start at Dover. Y!-A4
  6. Jeff Burton… Won race 9/06 at Dover. Average finish of 8.9 since 05. Y!-B2
  7. Jeff Gordon… Four-time winner (6/01, 96 sweep, 9/95) at Dover. Average running position of 13th or better in eight of the last nine, five Top 10s.
  8. Tony Stewart… Two-time winner (00 sweep) at Dover. Has finished ninth or better in four of the last six.
  9. Kyle Busch… Two-time winner (6/10, 6/08) at Dover. Six Top Fives in 11 career starts, 30.8 in the other five.
  10. Kurt Busch… Average running position of 12th or better in three straight at Dover, two Top Fives.
  11. Kevin Harvick… Finished seventh in May start at Dover, average running position of 12th. Y!-B2
  12. Clint Bowyer… Average running position of 11th or better in three of the last four starts at Dover, one Top 10. Y!-B3
  13. Juan Pablo Montoya… Finished a career-best fourth in last year’s September start at Dover, DNF in June.
  14. Ryan Newman… Three-time winner (9/04, 03 sweep) at Dover. Has never held an average running position worse than 16th. Y!-B4
  15. Kasey Kahne… Two Tops 10 at Dover last year, finished 20th in May. Y!-B5
  16. Mark Martin… Four-time (6/04, 9/99, 9/98, 9/97) winner at Dover. Average running position of 15th or better in four straight, average finish of 7.8
  17. Jamie McMurray… Average running position of 16th in May start at Dover, finished 32nd. Y!-B6
  18. A.J. Allmendinger… Average running position of 12th in two straight starts at Dover. Y!-C1
  19. David Reutimann… Strong value play. Finished a career-best fifth in May start at Dover. Average running position of 15th or better in three of the last four. Y!-B7
  20. Joey Logano… Strong value play. Finished a career-best 10th in June start at Dover. Y!-B8
  21. Martin Truex Jr…. Strong value play. Won 6/07 race at Dover. Average running position of 10th, finished 12th in May start.
  22. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Won 9/01 race at Dover. Average finish of 24.2 since 08.
  23. Brad Keselowski… Finished 18th in May start at Dover.
  24. Marcos Ambrose… Average finish of 25.5 in four career starts at Dover.
  25. Paul Menard… Average finish of 22.7 in six career starts at Dover. Y!-C2
  26. Reed Sorenson… Finished 19th and 35th last year at Dover. Y!-C3
  27. Sam Hornish Jr…. Average start 14.4, average finish 26.6 in five career Dover starts. Y!-C4
  28. Elliott Sadler… Average finish of 22.0 in 23 career starts at Dover.
  29. David Ragan…. Average finish of 23.5 in eight career starts at Dover.
  30. Travis Kvapil… Average finish of 24.1 in seven career starts at Dover.
  31. Scott Speed… Average finish of 28.3 in three career starts at Dover.
  32. David Gilliland… Average finish of 27.8 in eight career starts at Dover.
  33. Bobby Labonte… Won 6/99 race at Dover. Average finish of 27.2 since 08 at Dover.
  34. Regan Smith… Average finish of 27.2 in five career starts at Dover.
  35. Dave Blaney… Average finish of 26.9 in 18 career starts at Dover.
  36. Jeff Green… Average finish of 28.1 in 15 career starts at Dover (97-07).
  37. Tony Raines… Average finish of 32.5 in 15 career starts at Dover.
  38. Kevin Conway… Finished 33rd in May start at Dover.
  39. Casey Mears… Possible start and park.
  40. Joe Nemechek… Likely start and park.
  41. Mike Bliss… Likely start and park.
  42. Landon Cassill… Likely start and park.
  43. Michael McDowell… Likely start and park.
  44. TBA Gunselman entry… Likely start and park.
  45. Scott Riggs… Likely start and park. Three DNQs this season.
  46. J.J. Yeley… Likely start and park. Five DNQs this season.

Contender or Pretender: Dover 2

September 21, 2010

Jimmie Johnson (Contender) – Johnson’s championship hopes have not faded away. They’re not gone for two reasons. He finished worse at Texas last year and still cruised to the championship and he’s pretty good at Dover.

Johnson has won two out of the past three Dover races and if he wasn’t caught speeding on pit road this spring he could easily be three for three. His average running position for the last three Dover races is 2.3. Over this time period he’s led 794 laps and his next closest competitor has only led 131 laps. His near perfect driver rating of 142.9 says it all (150′s perfect).

Mark Martin (Pretender) – Mark Martin’s career Dover numbers are off the charts. However this springs 15th place finish is fully representative of how competitive this teams been in 2010. He’s only finished in the top ten once in the last fourteen races and momentum counts in fantasy racing. If you think momentum doesn’t count then you go and pick a drivers who’s been struggling lately.

Kyle Busch (Contender) – Kyle Busch is the spring winner at Dover and is second to Johnson in laps lead at the monster mile over the last three races (131 laps led). Dover fits his aggressive driving style and he’s been a natural since he first raced here. In his  first two races at Dover he finished second twice. Since then only problems have kept him out of the top five.

Denny Hamlin (Pretender) – Hamlin finished fourth this spring at Dover, but not so fast. His fourth place finish was an extremely rare Denny Hamlin moment of success at the Monster mile. He normally always is about a 20th place car. Last fall he finished 22nd and had an average running position of 18th. Also since this is Dover I can’t forget one of my favorite Denny Hamlin moments.

Carl Edwards (Contender) – Carl Edwards has done a back flip at Dover before and this Sunday he might be doing one again. In the last eight Dover races Carl Edwards hasn’t finished worse than 11th. Another impressive feat of his over this time period is that he’s led ten or more laps in every race but two. His 7.9 Dover average finish is the best in the series.

Ryan Newman (Pretender) – Ryan Newman owned Dover between 2002 and 2005. Since then he’s only finished in the top five once and has an average finish of 14th (not bad, but not as good as he once was). Before 2006 his average finish was 6.5 and he recorded three wins between 2002 and 2005.

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Experts Picks: Sylvania 300 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway

September 15, 2010

Expert Website Pick to Win Finish Experts Avg
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Jimmie Johnson 25 16.74
Jerry Lagger One and Done Game Winner Tony Stewart 24 11.26
Dennis Michelsen RaceTalkRadio.com Kyle Busch 9 10.33
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Tony Stewart 24 13.11
Eric McClung On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 25 14.81
Eric McGuire free agent Denny Hamlin 2 11.93
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Jimmie Johnson 25 10.07
Matt Mercer On Pit Row Tony Stewart 24 14.11
Adam Ansell Roto Experts Tony Stewart 24 15.19  
Chris Leone On Pit Row Denny Hamlin 2 11.26
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Jimmie Johnson 25 10.44
CharlieTurner On Pit Row Carl Edwards 11 15.93
Lou Lauer USAR Fans Jimmie Johnson 25 13.26
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Kyle Busch 9 13.00
James Jones On Pit Row Kurt Busch 9 14.15
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Jimmie Johnson 25 12.52
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Jimmie Johnson 25 12.81
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Jimmie Johnson 25 12.00
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Denny Hamlin 2 16.19

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Darkhorse Picks: Sylvania 300 from Loudon

September 15, 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 14.81
James Jones On Pit Row Ryan Newman 8 12.78
Josh Lobdell FFToolbox Ryan Newman 8 20.44
Dennis Mickelson RaceTalkRadio.com Ryan Newman 8 10.59
Jon Rodgers Gillette Young Guns Challenge Winner Mark Martin 29 15.30
Jerry LaggerEric McGuire One and Done Game WinnerFree agent Mark MartinRyan Newman 298 14.2213.96
Charlie Turner On Pit Row Juan Pablo Montoya 16 14.07
Tall Glass of Milk Answerthis.com Ryan Newman 8 10.26
Adam Ansell Roto Experts Joey Logano 35 12.33  
Charles Rantz ifantasyrace.com Ryan Newman 8 12.33
Darren Fauth Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Martin Truex Jr 20 13.89
Lou Lauer USAR Fans Juan Pablo Montoya 16 13.67
Ryan Rantz On Pit Row Juan Pablo Montoya 16 13.70
Eric McClung On Pit Row Juan Pablo Montoya 16 18.59
P J Walsh FantasyNASCARPreview.com Juan Pablo Montoya 16 12.04
Bob Ellis NASCAR Ranting and Raving Juan Pablo Montoya 16 15.19
Chris Leone On Pit Row Ryan Newman 8 19.07
Dan Beaver Fantasy Racing Games Joey Logano 35 11.74

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