Phoenix Kobalt Tools 500 Fantasy NASCAR Contender or Pretender
Jimmie Johnson (Contender) – Jimmie Johnson has sealed the championship at Phoenix the last four years in a row. This year he needs to really step up his game and close his points deficit to Denny Hamlin. In the last four fall Phoenix races Johnson’s loop data numbers are off the charts. His average finish is 1.3 and his average running position is 2.5. Johnson has nothing to lose by racing hard and that’s exactly what he’ll be doing.
Jeff Burton (Pretender) – Jeff Burton had the second best car at Phoenix last fall, but things have changed since then. Burton now has trouble on the track every week. If he’s not wrecking then he’s struggling on tracks that he should be good on. Falling behind by 473 points in 8 races is quite a feat. His history at Phoenix is good, but I have no plans to pick him.
Denny Hamlin (Contender) – Will he win at Phoenix? Nope, I don’t think he wants to at this point. I would say Hamlin’s probability of a top five finish is 100 percent. If he doesn’t finish in the top five then look for him to end the race right on Johnson’s back bumper.
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Kurt Busch (Pretender) – Kurt Busch has been Jimmie Johnson’s main challenger in the fall race in recent years, but like Burton there’s no reason to pick him this week. So far in the Chase Kurt Busch has only finished in the top ten once, and even in that race he hurt himself by speeding down pit road (Dover). Just so you know his lack of top tens is not a Chase record. Last year Brian Vickers didn’t finish in the top ten once.
Kyle Busch (Contender) – Do you remember who had the best car this spring? Here’s a clue, he got black flagged two laps at Texas. That’s right it was Kyle Busch. If it wasn’t for a late caution he would have two career wins at Phoenix. Check out his Yahoo race chart graph.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Pretender) – Earnhardt Jr. once was an excellent pick at Phoenix, but things changed in 2009. In his first two races at Phoenix with Hendrick Motor Sports Junior finished sixth and seventh. His average finish in his last three races is 26th. If you’re looking for hope which there is some this week he’s been very strong at New Hampshire this year.
