The NASCAR Sprint Cup series is back in action this weekend, racing Saturday night under the lights at Phoenix International Raceway. With a different radius and banking at both ends of the track plus a dogleg backstretch, the one-mile oval is a challenge for both drivers and Crew Chiefs. Every part of the track offers something different, and that makes setting up the cars difficult.
Because Phoenix is so unique, it can be a challenge to select the right drivers for your fantasy team. Here are some best-bet picks for your NASCAR Fantasy team this weekend:
Favorites at Phoenix International Raceway
1. Jimmie Johnson - Picking the current point leader and four-time defending series champion for any race is pretty obvious, but when it comes to Phoenix, there is no question the 48 team should be in your lineup, even in leagues that limit driver starts or have salary caps. Johnson absolutely dominates in the desert – he has won four out of the last five races run at Phoenix, and has not finished lower than seventh in the past four years there. There is never a “sure thing” in NASCAR, but with a career average finish of 4.3, Johnson is the closest thing you can get to one at Phoenix.
2. Kurt Busch – It has been awhile since Busch has been to Victory Lane at Phoenix, but he is no stranger to running up front at the one-mile oval; Kurt has finished sixth of better in his last three Phoenix races, and his driver rating of 104.6 there over the past four years is second only to Johnson. His career average finish of 12.0 is not terribly impressive, but Busch’s recent record at Phoenix, coupled with the fact that he is off to a strong start this season, makes him a contender.
3. Denny Hamlin – Looking at Hamlin’s statistics at Phoenix International Raceway, it is difficult to believe he has never won a race there. Denny has scored top-6 finishes in six of his last seven races in the desert (including three 3rd place finishes during that stretch) and has an average career finish of 9.6. It is only a matter of time before Hamlin grabs a checkered flag in Phoenix, and as long as he has no ill effects from knee surgery last week, he should be a near the front.
Safe Picks for a Solid Phoenix Finish
1. Mark Martin – Mark is the defending winner at Phoenix, but the only thing that keeps him from being a top-pick this weekend is his inconsistency so far this season - bad luck the past few races has dropped Mark down to 17th in the points. Still, Mark has an incredible track record at the one-mile track, with an average finish of 8.8, and top-5’s in three of his last four there, including his win. Mark will be looking to get back on track at Phoenix, and there is a pretty good bet he will be in the mix at the end of the race.
2. Greg Biffle – The Biff is off to an incredible start in 2010; believe it or not, he has finished in the top-10 every single race this season. That kind of consistency is difficult to maintain in the NASCAR world, but there is no reason to think Biffle can’t keep the momentum going for at least one more week – he has top-10 finishes in three of his last five starts at Phoenix, and his driver rating of 99.8 over the past four years is tied for fourth among Sprint Cup Series drivers. Look for another strong week from the 16 team.
3. Jeff Burton – Despite a pair of 20th place finishes over the past three races, Burton is off to another great start this season, and has quietly worked his way up to fifth in the points. As one of five active drivers with multiple wins in Phoenix, Burton knows how to get to victory lane on the one-mile oval, and his recent results are solid, with three top-10’s in the last four races, including a second place finish last November.
Phoenix Underdogs
1. Clint Bowyer – After missing the Chase last year, Bowyer – as well as Richard Childress Racing – seems to be back on track for the 2010 Sprint Cup season, sitting ninth in the points after the first six races. His results have been a bit inconsistent at Phoenix, but the track suits his style of racing, and he has had recent success – two top-10 finishes in his past four races there, including a second place in 2008. In many leagues, Bowyer is a B-list driver, and will have a lot of fantasy competition, but in salary leagues he could end up being a decent bargain this week.
2. David Reutimann – “Rootie” has been slipping further back in the results – and the standings – every week, but if there is a track than can help him turn things around, it is Phoenix International Raceway. Reutimann looked particularly strong in the desert last year, posting eighth and tenth place finishes, and if he can keep his focus this weekend and avoid any problems, there is no reason he can’t accomplish that same kind of result.
3. Martin Truex, Jr. – It has taken Truex a little while to settle in with his new team at Michael Waltrip Racing, but if the past few weeks are any indication, he is beginning to get more comfortable. Phoenix is one of Truex’s better tracks, with top-10 finishes in four of his last five races, and if he continues his progression from the last two races, a similar result is possible this time around.
Phoenix is all about car setup and track position, so it is best to go with past success here when picking NASCAR fantasy drivers. Johnson is the class of the field, but finding drivers that will get consistent results out of the bottom of your roster will give you an edge in your NASCAR fantasy league.
Todd Butts - Coming from the world of newspaper and radio, I have been covering NASCAR and other motorsports for over 8 years. I started as the host ...
