Browse > Home /

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire

September 16, 2009

Welcome to the start of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. It is now crunch time for the 12 drivers who made the cut as well as fantasy owners looking to capture their own victory.

Of the 10 tracks that make up the Chase schedule, eight of them have hosted races earlier in the season. I have compiled a table with the results of those eight events and ranked the top-26 drivers by their average finish. Check out my 2009 Average Finish at Chase Tracks Table here.

One thing you will notice right away is how many of the top drivers fared poorly at Talladega Superspeedway. We know anything can happen there. Things also got a little messy at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. For owners in allocation formats, like Yahoo!, these are two races where you can converse your remaining starts for the top drivers.

Starting position is huge at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. There have been a total of 29 Sprint Cup races runs held here, the winner has started 15th or better 21 times. Over the last three years (seven races), five winners have started 11th or better. The other two winners, Kurt Busch in June of last year and Joey Logano in this year’s June race, came from the middle of the pack but picked up their wins when the race was called early due to rain.

New Hampshire is essentially a bigger version of Martinsville Speedway, but the most recent race held there was back in March. Richmond International Raceway is also a flat race track so last week’s results are far more relevant. Fantasy owners should set their lineups simply based on who’s hot entering the Chase.

Here’s an explanation of the highlighted text in the rankings. Download a printer-friendly version here.

  • Y! A/B/C - The top options in the Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing game by driver list.
  • Strong qualifier - History of winning poles or qualifying inside the top-five.
  • Good qualifier - History of qualifying inside the top-10.
  • Value play - Good recent history at this week’s track. Drivers to consider as low-rent salary cap options or alternative options in allocation formats.
  • Risky play - Good overall history at this week’s track but poor recent finishes.
  1. Jimmie Johnson… Good qualifier. Average finish of 6.3 over the last five Loudon races, all top-10 finishes. Started third or fourth in three of his last four attempts at NH, led over 90 laps in the last two. Average running position of 5.0 in June. Two-time winner (’03 sweep). Y!-A1
  2. Tony Stewart… Last nine races at Loudon: only one finish worse than 13th, laps led in seven. Finished fifth in June. Average finish of 3.8 over the last four September races at NH. Two-time winner (’00, ‘05). Y!-B1
  3. Denny Hamlin… Good qualifier. Seven career starts at Loudon: average finish of 8.3, has never finished worse than 15th, which he did in June. Average finish of 8.5 in ‘08 NH races. Has never started worse than 14th. Won in ‘07. Y!-B2
  4. Mark Martin… Started 11th, finished 14th in June race at Loudon, average running position: 9.0- first start at NH since ‘06. Y!-A2
  5. Kurt Busch… Started fourth, finished third in June. Average finish of 3.5 last year at Loudon, including a win. Three-time winner (’04 sweep, 06/08) Y!-B3
  6. Jeff Gordon… Started and finished second in June, led 62 laps. Average finish of 12.5 in ‘08 Loudon races. Runner-up in both ‘07 races. Owns 11 finishes of first, second or third in 29 career starts. Three-time winner (’97, ‘98). Y!-A3
  7. Kyle Busch… Finished seventh in June race at Loudon. Average finish of 29.5 in ‘08 NH races, 7.5 in ‘07- led laps in both. Won in ‘06. Y!-A4
  8. Kasey Kahne… Started 13th, finished 10th in June. Started 13th, finished 11th in last year’s Sylvania 300. Y!-B4
  9. Greg Biffle… Finished 18th in June race at Loudon. Won last year’s Sylvania 300. Average finish of 4.5 in the last four September NH races.
  10. Brian Vickers… Risky play. Finished 35th in June (accident) and in last year’s Sylvania 300. 11 career starts: 21.0 average finish. Y!-B5
  11. Juan Pablo Montoya… Finished a career-best 12th in June race at Loudon. Y!-B6
  12. Ryan Newman… Average running position of 17th in June race at Loudon, finished 29th and led 17 laps. DNF and 15th-place finish last year. Average finish of 9.5 in ‘07 races, led laps in both. Two-time winner (’02, ‘05). Y!-B7
  13. Kevin Harvick… Finished a career-worst 34th in June race at Loudon. Average finish of 12.0 in ‘08 NH races. Won from the pole in ‘06.
  14. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Good qualifier. Finished 13th in June race at Loudon, fifth in last year’s Sylvania 300- led 79 laps. Led laps in both ‘07 and ‘08 NH races- average finish of 12.3 in those four races. Started fourth and fifth last year. Y!-B8
  15. David Reutimann… Strong value play. Has improved career-best finish at Loudon in each of his five starts. Finished a career-best fourth in June.
  16. Carl Edwards… Risky play. Finished 19th in June race at Loudon, third in last year’s Sylvania 300. Average finish of 12.5 in ‘07 NH races.
  17. Jeff Burton… Finished 31st in June race at Loudon, worst finish since a blown engine in ‘03. Average finish of 10.5 in the 10 races in between. Four-time winner (’97-’00).
  18. Matt Kenseth… Finished 22nd in June race at Loudon. DNF (accident) and 18th-place finish last year. Ten top-10 finishes in the prior 11 races (’02-’07).
  19. Joey Logano… Won in rain-shortened June race at Loudon but an average running position of 21st. Started 40th, finished 32nd in last year’s Sylvania 300. Won the pole, finished second in June Nationwide race. Won both ‘07 Camping World East Series races.
  20. Sam Hornish Jr…. Strong value play. Started 26th, finished a career-best eighth in June race at Loudon- average running position of 13th. Average finish of 34.5 in ‘08 NH races. Y!-C1
  21. Martin Truex Jr…. Strong value play. DNF in June race at Loudon, snapping a streak of four straight top-10 finishes- average finish of 4.75 in that span.
  22. Marcos Ambrose… Finished 23rd in June race, first career start at Loudon. Finished 14th in last year’s Nationwide race. Y!-C2
  23. Clint Bowyer… Seven career starts at Loudon: one top-10 finish, a win from the pole in ‘07. Average finish of 23.6 in the six other NH races.
  24. Casey Mears… Weak value play. Finished 11th in June race at Loudon, average running position of 20th.
  25. Bobby Labonte… Weak value play. Finished 21st in June race at Loudon. Average finish of 11.5 in ‘08 NH races, 20.0 in ‘07. Y!-C3
  26. Reed Sorenson… Weak value play. Seven career starts at Loudon: 18.0 average finish. Finished 17th in June race, 22nd in last year’s Sylvania 300. Y!-C4
  27. Elliott Sadler… Average finish of 25.2 over the last five starts at Loudon.
  28. AJ Allmendinger… Finished 32nd in June race at Loudon, two DNFs in ‘08. Finished 33rd in lone ‘07 NH start.
  29. Jamie McMurray… Three straight finishes of 33rd or worse at Loudon, average finish of 13.5 in ‘07 NH races.
  30. David Ragan… DNFs (accidents) in two of his last three starts at Loudon. Average finish of 17.0 in ‘07 NH races. Finished sixth in last year’s Nationwide race.
  31. Michael Waltrip… Finished 24th in June race at Loudon, 25th in last year’s Sylvania 300.
  32. Robby Gordon… Won in ‘01. Finished 25th in June race at Loudon, 26th in both ‘07 NH races.
  33. John Andretti… Finished 16th in June race at Loudon, average running position of 30th.
  34. Erik Darnell… Finished sixth in June Nationwide race at Loudon, average finish of 5.0 in three Truck series races (’06-’08).
  35. Aric Almirola… Average finish of 20.5 in ‘08 races at Loudon.
  36. Paul Menard… Finished 30th in June race at Loudon. Average finish of 28.6 in five career NH starts.
  37. David Stremme… Finished 28th in June race at Loudon. Average finish of 34.5 in ‘07 NH races.
  38. Scott Speed… Finished 36th (DNF, accident) in June race, first career start at Loudon. Started fourth, finished eighth in June Nationwide race.
  39. Joe Nemechek… DNFs in four of his last seven starts at Loudon. Won in ‘99.
  40. Patrick Carpentier… DNF (accident) in June race at Loudon.
  41. Dave Blaney… Start and parked in June race at Loudon.
  42. David Gilliland… Start and parked in June race at Loudon.
  43. Tony Raines… Start and parked in June race at Loudon.
  44. Dexter Bean… No career starts at Loudon.
  45. Mike Wallace… No Cup starts at Loudon since ‘05, average finish of 17.6 in eight Nationwide starts.
  46. Derrike Cope… No Cup starts at Loudon since ‘03. DNF in June Nationwide race at Loudon.

Written by Eric McClung · Filed Under Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy Racing, Fantasy racing leagues, NASCAR, New Hampshire Motor Speedway | Leave a Comment 

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Carfax 400 from Michigan Speedway

August 12, 2009

Greetings On Pit Row readers.

Seven races have passed since the Sprint Cup series drivers have visited Michigan International Speedway. There has been one other cookie-cutterish track in that stretch, Chicagoland Speedway. But in terms of the most similar track on the schedule, and for the purposes of this week’s preview, we’ll be looking at the results from April’s race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Historically, Roush-Fenway have done very well at MIS. As I mentioned on this week’s On Pit Row, I have Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle top-four fantasy options despite their inconsistencies– I’ll even give David Ragan a shot this week.

Don’t sleep on Bill Elliott, who I like as a long shot in salary cap formats. Back in June he started 15th and finished 16th at MIS, where he owns seven career wins. Elliott has qualified 15th or better in his last four attempts; his average finish is 21.5 in those races– not bad for the major lineup flexibility his budget price tag opens up.

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.
  • Strong qualifier - History of winning poles or qualifying inside the top-five.
  • Good qualifier - History of qualifying inside the top-10.
  • Value play - Good recent history at this week’s track. Drivers to consider as low-rent salary cap options or alternative options in allocation formats.
  • Risky play - Good overall history at this week’s track but poor recent finishes.

Good luck this week and please leave your comments below! Download a printer-friendly version here.

  1. Tony Stewart… Has finished 12th or better in six consecutive races at Michigan. Also finished 12th or better in 12 of the last 14 races, including seven top-five finishes in that span. Won in ‘00. Finished seventh in June, fourth at Texas. Y!-B1
  2. Jimmie Johnson… Strong qualifier. Average start of 4.6 over the last seven races. Has led laps in five straight races, average finish of 13.4 in that span. Dominated in June, leading 146 of 200 laps but finished 22nd after running out of fuel on the final lap. Runner-up at Texas. Y!-A1
  3. Carl Edwards… Nine top-10 finishes in 10 career starts, laps led in seven. Finished fourth in June. Won last year, ‘07. Finished 10th at Texas. Y!-A2
  4. Greg Biffle… Wins in ‘04, ‘05. Led 42 laps, finished fifth in June after running out of fuel while leading the last lap. Finished fourth last year. Finished third at Texas. Y!-A3
  5. Jeff Gordon… Four top-10 finishes over the last seven races. Runner-up in June. Won in ‘01, ‘98. Won at Texas, started second. Y!-A4
  6. Mark Martin… Won in June after Johnson and Biffle ran out of fuel on the last lap, his first Michigan win since ‘98 and fifth overall. Finished sixth last year, snapping a streak of three finishes outside the top-20. Finished sixth at Texas.
  7. Juan Pablo Montoya… Career-best starting position (seventh) and finishing result (sixth) in June, had never finished better than 25th. Finished seventh at Texas. Y!-B2
  8. Denny Hamlin… Average finish of 9.5, not counting last year’s DNF. Finished a career-best third in June, 12th at Texas. Y!-B3
  9. Brian Vickers… Strong qualifier. Has won the pole in two straight. Last four races: four top-10 finishes, led laps in three, average finish of 7.0. Finished ninth in June, 16th at Texas. Y!-B4
  10. Kurt Busch… Only two top-10 finishes over the last six races: eighth-place finish in June, ‘07 win. Also won in ‘03. Finished eighth at Texas. Y!-B5
  11. Matt Kenseth… Owns six top-five finishes over the last nine races, one win (’06). Also won in ‘02. Finished 20th in June, snapping a streak of three consecutive top-five finishes. Started third, finished fifth at Texas.
  12. Kyle Busch… Strong qualifier. Average start of 4.4 over the last five races, average finish of 9.4 in that span- finished 13th or better in each. Has led laps in three straight. Finished 13th in June, 18th at Texas.
  13. Kasey Kahne… Risky play. Has five top-five finishes in 11 career starts but average finish of 28.5 in the other six races. Won from the pole in ‘06. Finished 21st in June, 19th at Texas. Y!-B6
  14. Ryan Newman… Risky play. Win in ‘03, ‘04 but average finish of 22.0 in the 10 races since, no top-10 finishes. Finished 23rd in June, 15th at Texas. Y!-B7
  15. Jeff Burton… Last 13 races: nine top-15 finishes, zero top-10s. Finished ninth at Texas.
  16. David Reutimann… Last two races: 5.5 average start, 16.5 average finish. Won the pole at Texas, led 40 laps, finished 11th. Y!-B8
  17. Clint Bowyer… Career-best 10th-place finish in June. Average finish of 25.2 in six other career finishes. Finished 22nd at Texas.
  18. Kevin Harvick… Strong value play. Finished 18th in June, snapping a streak of six straight top-15 finishes. Average finish of 11.6 over last seven races.
  19. David Ragan… Strong value play. Five career starts: 13.0 career average, gained track position in each. Finished 15th in June. Started fourth, DNF at Texas (engine).
  20. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Finished 14th in June but snapped a streak of seven races with at least one lap led. Finished 23rd and won in ‘08.
  21. Joey Logano… Started 24th, finished 25th in June, first career start at Michigan. Started sixth, finished seventh in last year’s Nationwide race. Started 10th, finished 30th at Texas.
  22. Jamie McMurray… Weak value play. Last five races: four top-11 finishes- 10th or 11th in three straight.
  23. Elliott Sadler… Weak value play. Has finished 12th or better in three straight. Average finish of 10.0 in that span. Odd stat over the last five years: average qualifying position of 4.8 in August races, 28.2 in June.
  24. Casey Mears… Started 37th, finished 24 in June. Average finish of 24.0 over the last three.
  25. Marcos Ambrose… DNF last August, finished 31st in June. Started 11th, DNF at Texas (engine). Average finish of 15.5 in two Nationwide races. Y!-C1
  26. Paul Menard… Long shot value play. Average finish of 20.0 in seven career starts, three top-20s. Started fifth, finished 13th at Texas.
  27. Brad Keselowski… Long shot value play. Average finish of 12.0 in two Nationwide races. Started 40th, finished 23rd at Texas. Y!-C2
  28. Bill Elliott… Long shot value play. Started 15th, finished 16th in June. Seven-time winner, finished 11th in ‘07 and ‘05. Started 37th, finished 28th at Texas. Y!-C3
  29. Sam Hornish Jr…. Career average finish of 24.3. Finished 29th in June, 22nd in both ‘08 races. Y!-C4
  30. Martin Truex Jr…. Going the wrong way. ‘07- runner-up twice, ‘08- finished 16th and 17th. ‘09- finished 36th in June.
  31. AJ Allmendinger… Started sixth, but finished a career-worst 39th in June due to equipment issues. Average finish of 26.0 in three other career starts.
  32. Bobby Labonte… Started 17th, finished 28th in June. Average finish of 28.7 over the last three races. Three-time winner: ‘99, ‘95 sweep.
  33. Robby Gordon…. Average finish of 38.5 last year, 16.75 the previous two years (’06-’07). Started 13th, finished 17th in June.
  34. Michael Waltrip… Started 36th, finished 30th in June. Average finish of 21.0 last year.
  35. Reed Sorenson… Two top-10 finishes as a rookie in ‘06 but average finish of 31.0 in the five races since.
  36. David Stremme… Average finish of 29.2 in five career starts, one top-20.
  37. David Gilliland… Started 35th, finished 32nd in June. Average finish of 26.5 last year.
  38. John Andretti… Started 10th, finished 33rd in June. Average finish of 32.0 last year.
  39. Joe Nemechek… DNF in June. Average finish of 31.0 last year. Failed to qualify at Texas.
  40. Scott Speed… Started 21st, finished 37th in June, first career start at Michigan. Failed to qualify at Texas.
  41. Mike Skinner… Started 22nd, finished 35th in June.
  42. Dave Blaney… Has not finished on the led laps in three straight (two DNFs).
  43. Tony Raines… DNF in June. Started 30th, finished 31st last year.
  44. Mike Bliss… No starts at Michigan since ‘05.
  45. Mike Wallace… No starts at Michigan since ‘05.

Written by Eric McClung · Filed Under Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy Racing, Fantasy racing leagues, Michigan International Speedway, NASCAR | Leave a Comment 

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca Cola

July 1, 2009

Greetings On Pit Row readers.

There have been two restrictor plate races held thus far, so consider the results of the Daytona 500 and the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway when  evaluating your lineup for this week.

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

Download a printer-friendly version here.

  • Y! A/B/C - The top options in the Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing game by driver list.
  • Strong qualifier - History of winning poles or qualifying inside the top-five.
  • Good qualifier - History of qualifying inside the top-10.
  • Value play - Good recent history at this week’s track. Drivers to consider as low-rent salary cap options.

Leave your comments below!

  1. Tony Stewart… Strong qualifier: best average starting position (16.0) over the last five years. Eight top-10 finishes in 11 races since ‘04, including two wins. Led laps in those eight top-10s. Y! B-1
  2. Kyle Busch… Finished fourth or better in four of the last six races, including a win last year. Y! A-1
  3. Matt Kenseth… Won this year’s Daytona 500 but historically better in the July race: ‘08- third, ‘07- eighth, ‘06- fifth, ‘05- ninth, ‘03- sixth. Y! A-2
  4. Kurt Busch… 17 career starts: eight top-fives. Top-10 finishes in five of the last six races. Y! B-2
  5. Mark Martin… Good qualifier. 48 career starts, zero wins. Started second at this year’s Daytona 500 (finished 16th) and last year’s Coke Zero 400 (finished 10th). Y! A-3
  6. Jimmie Johnson… Won in ‘06, only one top-10 in the six races since. Had finished eighth or better in six of seven previous races (’02-’05). Y! A-4
  7. Jeff Gordon… Wins in ‘04 and ‘05 but only three top-10 finishes in the eight races since.
  8. Clint Bowyer… Seven career starts: five top-10 finishes. Career-best fourth-place finish at Daytona.
  9. Kasey Kahne… ‘07, ‘08: streak four top-10 finishes, finished 29th at this year’s Daytona 500. Y! B-3
  10. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Finished ninth and eighth last year, leading laps in both. Finished 27th at this year’s Daytona 500. 19 career starts: led laps 13 times. Runner-up at Talladega. Y! B-4
  11. Ryan Newman… 14 career starts: won 2/08, only two other top-10 finishes. Third at Talladega. Y! B-5
  12. Brian Vickers… Finished 12th and 11th last year. Finished 39th (accident) at this year’s Daytona 500. Y! B-6
  13. Kevin Harvick… Last six races at Daytona: win, runner-up, five finishes of 14th or better.
  14. Carl Edwards… Only two top-10 finishes but each came in the last two July races (fourth 7/07, second 7/08).
  15. Denny Hamlin… Seven career starts: zero top-10 finishes. Career-best 17th (2/08, 7/06) Y! B-7
  16. Greg Biffle… 13 career starts: only three top-10 finishes. Third at Talladega.
  17. Jeff Burton… One top-10 finish since ‘04.
  18. David Reutimann… Career-best 12th-place finish at Daytona. Y! B-8
  19. Marcos Ambrose… Finished 17th at this year’s Daytona 500, first career start. Fourth at Talladega. Y! C-1
  20. Elliott Sadler… Strong value play. Last seven races: five finishes of sixth or better
  21. AJ Allmendinger… Finished third in second career start at Daytona this year. Y! C-2
  22. Brad Keselowski… Long shot value play. No Cup starts at Daytona. Nationwide Series: ‘08- 16th, fifth (led 28 laps). ‘09- 2nd (led six laps). Won at Talladega. Y! C-3
  23. Joey Logano… DNF in first career start at Daytona this year. Finished 20th in the Nationwide Series.
  24. Martin Truex Jr…. Weak value play. No top-10s but four straight finishes of 20th or better.
  25. Juan Pablo Montoya… Career-high 14th-place finish at this year’s Daytona 500. 32nd or worse in three of five career starts.
  26. Jamie McMurray… Finished 26th or worse in four of the last five at Daytona, a win in ‘07.
  27. Bobby Labonte… Finished 11th and 13th last year. Finished 22nd at this year’s Daytona 500. Y! C-4
  28. Robby Gordon… Daytona 500: 34th. ‘08: eighth, sixth. Streak of six top-15 finishes from ‘06-’08.
  29. Sam Hornish Jr…. Declining over three career starts: 15th, 29th, 32nd.
  30. David Ragan… Lone top-10 of the season came at Daytona.
  31. Casey Mears… 15th or worse in five straight races at Daytona.
  32. Joe Nemechek… Good qualifier: 7/08- fourth, 7/06- fifth, 7/05- fifth.
  33. Michael Waltrip… Daytona 500: seventh. First top-10 since winning in ‘03.
  34. Reed Sorenson… Last three Daytona 500’s: 13th, fifth, ninth. Last three July races: 34th, 42nd, 22nd.
  35. David Stremme… ‘07: 11th, 22nd. Daytona 500: 33nd
  36. Scott Speed… Daytona 500: 35th. Fifth at Talladega.
  37. Paul Menard… Finished a career-best 15th last year.
  38. Patrick Carpentier… ‘08: started 10th, finished 14th.
  39. John Andretti… Three top-20 finishes since ‘00.
  40. David Gilliland… ‘07: eighth, 11th. ‘08: 28th, 40th.
  41. Regan Smith… ‘08: 37th, 24th. Daytona 500: 21st
  42. Dave Blaney…’08: 38th, 19th.
  43. Max Papis… No Cup or Nationwide starts at Daytona.
  44. Tony Raines… ‘07: 39th.

Written by Eric McClung · Filed Under Daytona International Speedway, Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy Racing, Fantasy racing leagues, NASCAR | 2 Comments 

NASCAR Fantasy Racing Preview: Lenox Industrial Tools 301

June 24, 2009

Greetings On Pit Row readers,
Last week I got feedback from a reader that the Fantasy Racing Preview would be more useful if the drivers were ranked straight through, rather than split into the A/B/C list used by Yahoo! Fantasy Auto Racing. The Preview is still a work in progress and the aim is to inform all fantasy NASCAR players - regardless of format. That said, I’ve taken the feedback and I’ve ranked everyone on the entry list from No. 1 to No. 46 as a test run this week.

For Yahoo! players, the top-four A list drivers, top-eight B list drivers and top-four C list drivers will have Y! tags attached to them. Top qualifiers, for those chasing bonus points, and value plays, for those looking for low-rent salary cap options, will remain the same. Value plays are also geared for owners in allocation formats looking to save driver starts.

As I mentioned on Tuesday’s On Pit Row, starting position is huge at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. In the 28 races runs here, the winner has started 15th or better 21 times. Over the last three years (six races), two drivers have won from the pole. The other three winners qualified fourth, ninth and 11th. Kurt Busch won from the 26th position last year, but stayed out prior to rain showers and won a shortened race.

What do you think of the new format? Leave your comments below.

  1. Jimmie Johnson… Swept in ‘03. Top-10s in six of the last seven, finished 15th or better in 13 of 14 career starts. Best average starting position of the last five years (10 starts): 7.9. Y! A-1
  2. Tony Stewart… Twenty career starts: 10 top-five finishes. Laps led in three starts in a row and seven of the last nine. Y! B-1
  3. Jeff Gordon… Laps led in 17 of 28 career starts. ‘08- 11th, 14th. ‘07- second, second. Last pole- ‘04. Last win- ‘98. Y! A-2
  4. Denny Hamlin… Six career starts: won in ‘07, five top-10 finishes, never finished worse than 15th. Y! B-2
  5. Greg Biffle… 13 career starts: won the most recent race in September, three consecutive top-fives (7/05, 9/05, 7/06). Only top-10 in the other nine starts. Y! A-3
  6. Kyle Busch… Most recent pole winner. Laps led in four on eight career starts. ‘08- 25th, 34th. ‘07- 11th, fourth. Won 7/06. Y-4
  7. Matt Kenseth… No victories, but consistent. Top-10 finishes in 10 of the last 13 starts.
  8. Ryan Newman… Strong qualifier. Four poles but none since ‘06. Laps led in 11 of 14 career starts. ‘07- ninth, 10th. ‘08- 15th, 36th. Y! B-3
  9. Kurt Busch… Good qualifier. Started inside the top-three (9/06, 7/07, 9/07) Defending champion of this race, swept in ‘04 but poor finishes in between (19th or worse in five straight races). Y! B-4
  10. Carl Edwards… Finished third last September, only one top-10 in eight other starts.
  11. Mark Martin… No starts since ‘06, two top-10s in the last 10 starts.
  12. Jeff Burton… Four career wins, none since ‘00. Top-10 finishes in five of the last seven starts.
  13. Clint Bowyer… Six career starts: one top-10, a victory from the pole in 9/07- led 222 of 300 laps.
  14. Dale Earnhardt Jr…. Good qualifier. Started fourth and fifth last year. Laps led in four straight races but uneven finishes: ‘07- fourth, 16th. ‘08- 24th, fifth. Y! B-5
  15. Kasey Kahne… First five career starts: four top-10s. Next five starts: zero top-10s, finished 20th or worse three times. Y! B-6
  16. David Reutimann… Improvements in four straight career starts: ‘07- 38th, 26th. ‘08- 19th, 15th. Y! B-7
  17. Martin Truex Jr…. Strong value play. Six career starts: seventh or better in four straight. Y! B-8
  18. Casey Mears… Weak value play. Two top-10 finishes over the last three starts. Finished outside of the top-20 in eight of 12 career starts.
  19. Kevin Harvick… Laps led in eight of 16 career starts. Won from the pole 9/06.
  20. Bobby Labonte… Weak value play. ‘08- 10th, 13th. Outside of top-20 in four of five races prior. Seven top-10s nine races from 8/98-9/02. Y! C-1
  21. Brian Vickers… Laps led in four of 10 career starts but only one top-10 finish (fifth in 9/06).
  22. Marcos Ambrose… Two Nationwide starts: ‘07- 27th, ‘08- 14th. Truck series: ‘06- 23rd. Y! C-2
  23. Joey Logano… First career start in last year’s September race: started 40th, finished 32nd. Two ‘07 wins in the East Series.
  24. Juan Pablo Montoya… Four career starts: 22.8 average finish, never finished better than 17th.
  25. Jamie McMurray… Eight straight starts without a top-10. ‘07- 16th, 11th. ‘08- 41st, 39th.
  26. Elliott Sadler… Career-best fifth-place finish last year but only five top-10 finishes in 20 career starts.
  27. Michael Waltrip… Finished second last year but 23rd or worse in three of the last four starts.
  28. David Ragan… Four career starts: 25.5 average finish, never finished better than 15th.
  29. Brad Keselowski… Long shot value play. One Nationwide start last year: 10th. Y! C-3
  30. AJ Allmendinger… Two DNFs in ‘08. One start in ‘07- 33rd. Truck series- ‘06- 13th, ‘07- 34th. Y! C-4
  31. Sam Hornish Jr…. First two career starts last year: 39th, 30th (34.5 average finish)
  32. Reed Sorenson… Started and finished sixth last year (his only top-10 in six career starts), finished 22nd in September.
  33. Paul Menard… Four career starts: 28.3 average finish, never finished better than 21st.
  34. Robby Gordon… Won in 11/01. Outside of the top-20 in eight of the last 11 races.
  35. Patrick Carpentier… Won the pole ‘08. Finished 31st in both races last year.
  36. Dave Blaney… Won the pole in ‘07. Four straight finishes of 29th or worse.
  37. Joe Nemechek… Won 9/99. Seven straight races of 20th or worse, three DNFs.
  38. David Stremme… Declining finishes in four straight career starts: ‘06- 11th, 20th. ‘07- 27th, 42nd.
  39. Regan Smith… Four career starts: 29.5 average finish, never finished better than 23rd.
  40. David Gilliland… Six career starts: 28.7 average finish, never finished better than 28th.
  41. John Andretti… No starts in ‘08. One start in ‘07- DNF.
  42. Scott Speed… No starts at New Hampshire.
  43. Mike Wallace… Ten career starts, none since ‘05: 30.2 average finish.
  44. Tony Raines… Six career starts: 25.8 average finish, never finished better than 20th.
  45. Dexter Bean… No starts at New Hampshire.
  46. Ted Christopher… Six lifetime Cup starts, none since ‘06, five at New Hampshire: all DNFs. Four Nationwide starts (’97-’00): two DNFs, 18th, 12th

Written by Eric McClung · Filed Under Fantasy NASCAR, Fantasy Racing, Fantasy racing leagues, NASCAR, New Hampshire Motor Speedway | 6 Comments