Atlanta Fantasy NASCAR Preview
A+ = Really, really, really good pick
Jeff Gordon – He’s my pick to win. He was the best intermediate track driver last year (not named Johnson), the best intermediate track driver last week (not named Johnson), and he’s the only driver to sweep the top 10 at Atlanta in the COT races.
Mark Martin – Martin’s been pretty quiet so far this year but I can guarantee you picking the 5 car will be a really, really, really good pick for Atlanta.
A = Really good pick
Jimmie Johnson – Just check out my Atlanta Contender Or Pretender post.
Carl Edwards – This is arguably his best track. If he can’t get better results this weekend then I don’t think it would be crazy to say he hasn’t improved at all following his 2009 season.
Kurt Busch – No driver has led more laps here in the COT then this man. The majority of those laps led were in the spring 2009 race where he went on to victory.
Juan Pablo Montoya – Montoya hasn’t really shown his hand this year and I expect that to change at Atlanta. No driver in NASCAR is better than Montoya at utilizing the high line around a track.
Kevin Harvick – Had the best car last fall, but the race ended under an unfavorable scenario for him. Picking him before the COT era would’ve been a big mistake, but now he has he second best average finish to Jeff Gordon in the COT (6.5).
A- Still a really good pick
Tony Stewart – I think he’s overrated at the intermediate tracks. He looked good at Las Vegas but I don’t think he’s a top 5 intermediate track driver.
Kyle Busch – He smoked the field at Texas last fall (comparable track) but the problems for the 18 team have rested on Kyle’s shoulders so far.
Matt Kenseth – Matt Kenseth was really good at Las Vegas. I think this team might be the best Roush Fenway Racing team now.
Clint Bowyer – His lucky Atlanta number is 6 because that’s where he finished in four out of the last six Atlanta races.
Greg Biffle – He’s been in the top 10 every race so far this year and he’s had a top 10 in two out of the last three races here.
Kasey Kahne -The most recent Atlanta winner hasn’t been stellar this year but he’ll be fine Sunday. This is perhaps the perfect track for him.
B+ = Just a tier below the really good picks
Jeff Burton – I like what I’ve seen so far but his history and other drivers playability will steer me away this week.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – This is a good track for Junior. If he drives the high line around the track (and doesn’t hit the wall) then I think he’ll get a top 10.
B = You can pencil them in for about 15th
Denny Hamlin – I don’t know what’s his problem this year but Atlanta is not the place for him to turn it around.
Brian Vickers – I think his problem at Vegas was damage from the 42 & 1 wreck but I’m not forgetting how he fell apart on this track style last fall.
Marcos Ambrose – He’s been M.I.A for two out of the three races this year but he was pretty good last week.
Martin Treux Jr. – If his car is set up right then I think he could be a top 5 driver at Atlanta. Rarely is his car ever right for him so he’s about a 15th place driver.
Joey Logano – Joey’s been pretty good this year but during an interview at Las Vegas he sounded semi concerned about heading to Atlanta because of his performances in 2009.
David Reutimann – The Cinderella story of 2009 is back in action this year. He finished 4th last fall but is you discount that finish then he doesn’t have any other ones that are below 20th.
B- = Got some question marks here
Ryan Newman – With only 1 top 10 going back to 2004 it would be crazy to pick him. If your in my fantasy league then please do.
Jamie McMurray – Besides his Daytona win I haven’t seen anything different out of Jamie McMurray this year.
C+ = I’m not picking them
Sam Hornish Jr. – He’s what I’ll call a “High Risk, Fat Chance Of Getting An Award Driver”
Brad Keselowski – If he was in a Hendrick car he would be a good sleeper, but the Penske Keselowski is only about a 20th at best driver.
David Ragan – Home town advantage didn’t help Kurt Busch at Las Vegas and it certainly hasn’t helped Ragan at Atlanta who has a 24.8 average finish.
C = Got some concerns here
Elliott Sadler – Out of all the drivers listed above and below Elliott Sadler is once again the driver who I think is almost a lock to finish outside the top 25.
AJ Allmendinger – Besides his strong run at Daytona his late 2009 season flashes of brilliance just aren’t there now.
