Bristol Fantasy NASCAR Preview

A = Really, Really Good Pick

Denny Hamlin – I Denny as the best short track driver in NASCAR so look for Hamlin to be good at Bristol. On Sunday I think we’ll finally get the definitive answer on how his knee injury will affect his driving.

Kyle Busch – Swept both races last year and he’s won half the COT races held at Bristol.

Kevin Harvick – He’s been the clutch driver of the year so far and Bristol has always been a good track for him.

A- = Really Good Pick

Jeff Gordon – When you take away last summers 23rd place finish then his average in the COT is 6.4.

Tony Stewart – Tony always tends to race better in the spring race at Bristol. He’s been close two out of the last 3 spring races at Bristol.

Clint Bowyer – He’s always a good reliable pick on the short tracks.

B+ = Good Pick

Jimmie Johnson – Last year he was extremely competitive in both Bristol races. I expect him to be good once again.

Kurt Busch –  Since he last won at this track both the car and the track have changed. I would pencil him in for about an 8th place finish.

Jeff Burton – Burton always performs better in the spring race. He won this race in 2008 and finished 2nd in 2007.

Juan Pablo Montoya – Don’t discredit him based on his stats.  He could easily get a top 5 this weekend.

Greg Biffle – He’s been extremely consistent at Bristol. In the COT era he has 5 top 11 finishes.

B = Just A Tier Below The Good Picks

Mark Martin – Check out my “Pretender Or Contender” Post

Carl Edwards – The summer night race is when Edwards really performs. Don’t expect a special target to be on him from Keselowski, Brian aims for almost anyone.

Ryan Newman – He was Mr.Consistent on the short tracks last year. Getting a good finish for him at Bristol is a “Do or die” situation for his 2010 Chase chances.

Matt Kenseth – Last year was not a good year for him at Bristol, but other than that he’s been spot on since 2006.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Picky him is always risky now, but over the last 5 years he has the second best finishing average (8.5).

Kasey Kahne – Since the track was changed Kahne’s been a lot better at Bristol.

Marcos Ambrose – He had a successful rookie season at Bristol but will it continue?

Jamie McMurray – I think the Daytona 500 champion will start performing here and that momentum will carry on to a top 10 at Martinsville.

B- = You Can Pencil Them In Outside The Top 15

David Reutimann – He only finished in the top 15 once in his career and his other finishes are right around 20th.

Martin Truex Jr. – He was actually pretty good last summer at Bristol but his 25th place average finish over the last 5 years should sound the alarm bell for you.

Brad Keselowski – Carl’s not the only guy who’s mad at Keselowski.

Elliott Sadler – This is the track where Sadler first stepped into victory lane, but with a 25.5 COT average finish I would highly recommend you pass on him.

C+ = Got Some Question Marks Here

Joey Logano – Sliced bread doesn’t have the eye of the tiger here, but he has been much better this season.

AJ Allmendinger – His career average finish at Bristol is 32.4, that speaks for itself.

C = I’m Not Picking Them

Brian Vickers – ZERO career top tens here. He’s raced in plenty of races here so his 24.1 average finish is not skewed and it speaks the truth.

David Ragan – With 3 career spring races were Ragan’s finished in the 20’s three times I know I won’t be picking him.

C- = Avoid At All Costs

Sam Hornish Jr. – Do you really think he’ll avoid trouble for a change?