Phoenix The Profit On CNBC 500 – Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Denny Hamlin – He’s back and because of that making Denny Hamlin your fantasy NASCAR pick to win the Phoenix The Profit On CNBC 500 is a smart thing to do. Last fall at Phoenix Denny Hamlin’s performance was forgettable, but then again he was virtually a disappointment across the board. Because of that I’m going to overlook what happened in fall 2013 and I would encourage you to as well. Last fall at Phoenix Hamlin started 2nd, led the first 18 laps but dropped like a rock in the running order over the first long run. In addition to his lack of competitiveness on the track at Phoenix last fall he spun and also got a speeding penalty during a pit stop with 49 laps to go. In spring 2013 Denny Hamlin started in the rear of the field because of an engine change and drove the 11 car to a 3rd place finish. In 2012 at Phoenix Hamlin had finishes of 1st and 2nd. Denny Hamlin ranks as an elite talent on shorter flat tracks (Phoenix, Richmond and New Hampshire). In 2012 on these venues he scored the most points in the series, had a 3.8 average running position, a 4.7 average finish, and ran the most fast laps by nearly 100. My fantasy prediction is Denny Hamlin will win The Profit On CNBC 500. (Yahoo B Driver)

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Jimmie Johnson – Last fall at Phoenix Jimmie Johnson all but clinched his sixth championship. In that race he started on the pole, finished 3rd and earned the third best driver rating. In the event he could’ve potentially finished even better but he had contact with other cars a few times during the race that cost him several positions on the track. The strength of his car in the race was being good over long runs. When other cars dropped off over long runs he moved up in the running order. In February 2013 Johnson’s car was also strong over long runs. In that race he started 3rd, finished 2nd and earned the 2nd best driver rating. In each race at Phoenix in 2013 Johnson led 1 lap. In spring 2012 at Phoenix Johnson arguably had the best car. It rolled through the corners with ease and had superb drive off the corners. In that race he finished 4th, had a 7th place average running position and led 55 laps. His stats would be even more impressive but while he was leading he had hub issues that led to timely pit stops that put him back in the running order. On the new Phoenix configuration minus his fall 2012 tire failure he has a 5.8 average finish, 6.0 average starting position and a 9.5 average running position. (Yahoo A Driver)

Recommended Reading: Front Runner Rankings, Mid Pack Predictions, Yahoo C List Preview, Phoenix Scouting Report, Phoenix “Uh-Oh” Report, Who will win at Phoenix

Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch should be on your short list of fantasy picks to win at Phoenix. One key attribute I like about him is that NASCAR is changing the aero package and historically when change is in the air JGR has thrived. To back up that theory of mine arguably his two best season’s were when the COT was introduced full-time and when the Gen 6 car rolled out. On shorter flat tracks Kyle Busch is one of the best drivers in the series. Last fall at Phoenix he had a quiet performance. He started 4th, finished 7th and had the 9th best driver rating. In spring 2013 Busch had a rough race. He started in the back of the field because of an engine change before the race. That wasn’t too much of a problem for him. By lap #38 he had raced up to 16th. Shortly after that though his race went down hill. On lap #48 he was in 15th but spun all on his own. That was a major problem because the race had relatively few cautions and he didn’t get back on the lead lap until late in the event. Also late in the race with 66 laps to go he got into the wall but kept on going. When the checkered flag waved he finished 23rd and earned the 25th best driver rating. In fall 2012 Kyle Busch had a dominant car but lost the race during a late restart. In that event he earned the best driver rating, led 237 laps and finished 3rd. In spring 2012 he led 52 laps and finished 6th. (Yahoo A Driver)

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