Texas Duck Commander 500 Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Carl Edwards – At Texas Carl Edwards is tied with Jimmie Johnson for the most wins. He’s a three-time winner but it’s important to note his most recent was in 2008. Last fall at Texas Edwards had a competitive car. He started on the pole, led 38 laps but finished 37th after having an engine failure. In the race Edwards blew up on lap 188. Just before he had his engine problem he was running around 11th. In the race his car was good in short runs but over long runs he dropped off. In spring 2013 Edwards had a good performance. When the checkered flag waved he finished 3rd. In the race Edwards had some sort of engine problem. Around the mid-point during a restart because of this issue he dropped back to being the last car on the lead lap. In the middle of the race I would estimate his average running position was around 20th. Late in the race Edwards was a driver who was aided by a favorable caution during the pit cycle. That jumped him up into the top ten and from there he drove up to his 3rd place result. Since 2011 at Texas minus last fall’s engine failure Edwards has a 6.4 average finish and a 10.4 average running position. At Las Vegas earlier this year Edwards looked like a teens performer but late in the race he used pit strategy which got him up towards the front. When the checkered flag waved he finished 5th. (Yahoo B Driver)

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Paul Menard – Paul Menard was impressive at Las Vegas earlier this season. He started in 21st, had a 10th place average running position, earned the 6th best driver rating and finished 3rd. With the new rules package I would urge you to weigh that performance in your equation as to how you go about picking a team for the Texas Duck Commander 500. A few weeks ago at Auto Club Speedway he also performed well and finished 9th. At Texas Menard is typically a mid to high teens performer. In four of the last five races he’s finished between 15th and 18th. Last fall at Texas Menard started in 4th, had a 14th place average running position and finished 15th. In spring 2013 he finished 17th. In the race he likely had a low teens car but over the last run of the race he fell from 11th to his eventual finish position. One attribute you have to like about Menard is his momentum. In 3 of the last 4 races this season he’s finished in the top ten. (Yahoo B Driver)

Recommended Reading: Texas Top Tier Elite Picks, Texas Mid Pack Predictions, Yahoo C List Fantasy Preview, Texas Scouting Report (Fall 2013), Texas Scouting Report (Spring 2013), Weekly Poll

Greg Biffle – Texas is one of Greg Biffle’s best tracks but after how he performed at Las Vegas I would be wary of picking him this week in the Duck Commander 500. At Las Vegas he looked completely lost on the track. He finished 22nd but it’s hard to say he was even that good. In the race his average running position was 27th and he earned the 30th best driver rating. Texas is a great track for Greg Biffle. Last fall he finished 12th, had a 14th place average running position and earned the 14th best driver rating. His 12th place finish snapped a streak of 10 consecutive top ten finishes at TMS. Last spring at Texas he had a good car. He started back in 35th and he cracked the top ten by lap 100. When the checkered flag waved he finished 4th. In the race I don’t think he was quite 4th place good. He was a driver who benefited from a caution during the pit cycle with about 50 laps to go. If that didn’t happen he likely would’ve finished around 10th. In his spring 2012 victory he started in 3rd, had a second place average running position and led 90 laps. It should be noted that I don’t think he had the best car. His PROS Rankings from that event was second. In that race he was aided by Ryan Newman holding up Jimmie Johnson late which allowed him to get the lead. In fall 2012 he finished a little lower than I think he should’ve (10th). In 2005 Biffle won his first race at Texas. (Yahoo A Driver)

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