Talladega Aaron’s 499 Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – In the Daytona 500 Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first race on a restrictor plate track in nearly a decade. In the race he earned the best driver rating, led the most laps (54), and had the best average running position (6th). In four of the last five Daytona races he’s walked away with a top ten finish. At Talladega Dale Earnhardt Jr. has performed well throughout his career. He’s a five time winner who’s finished in the top ten in half his starts. At Talladega his average finish sits at 14.6. Last fall at Talladega Earnhardt Jr. could’ve potentially got his 6th win but on the final lap he never got his chance to make a move for the lead because Austin Dillon wrecked and brought out the caution that ended the race. When the checkered flag waved he finished 2nd, earned the best driver rating, led 38 laps and tied Jimmie Johnson for the best average running position. In May 2013 Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a fast car but finished 17th. He just wasn’t positioned correctly at the end of the event. It should be noted though that he did earn the 7th best driver rating. Typically at Talladega Dale Earnhardt Jr. performs better in the spring race. Since 2007 his spring finish has been better than his fall finish in every season except 2013. Between the combined races on plate tracks last season Earnhardt Jr. scored the 2nd most points. (Yahoo A Driver)
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Matt Kenseth – Matt Kenseth is an elite performer on restrictor plate tracks. When it comes to the art of drafting perhaps nobody is better than him right now. That’s why entering the Talladega Aaron’s 499 he’ll be many people’s default fantasy NASCAR pick. In 2012 on restrictor plate tracks he scored the most points in the series. In 2013 on this track type he ranked as one of the best despite his results. This season on restrictor plate tracks he’s gotten off to a good start. He won his Duel 150 and in the Daytona 500 he finished 6th and earned the 8th best driver rating. Last spring at Talladega Matt Kenseth had an impressive performance. If he would’ve managed the draft a little better at the end he likely would’ve won. In the race he earned the best driver rating, had a 2nd place average running position, led 142 laps and finished 8th. What happened is that he got shuffled out of line during a late restart and didn’t have time to recover. Last fall at Talladega he had a good car in the first half of the race but in the second half he lost the handle and was very loose. In that race he led 32 laps, earned the 8th best driver rating and finished 20th. In 2012 at Talladega he had results of 1st and 3rd. If you’re a believer in momentum you should like Kenseth this week. He currently has 5 consecutive top tens. Another attribute I like about Kenseth this season is that he’s done a good job avoiding trouble. His worst result is 13th. (Yahoo A Driver)
Recommended Reading – Talladega Front Runner Rankings, Talladega Mid Pack Predictions, Yahoo C List Preview, Who will win at Talladega, Talladega Fall 2013 Scouting Report, Talladega Spring 2013 Scouting Report
Kevin Harvick – Kevin Harvick is always a popular fantasy NASCAR pick on restrictor plate tracks. His skill level at handling the draft ranks among the best. Last fall at Talladega he raced near the back for much of the race until he made his move towards the front in the last third. In the race he started 33rd, had a 27th place average running position and finished 12th. In May 2013 on lap #43 he was taken out when Busch bump drafted Kahne and as a result of that he finished 40th. In fall 2012 at Talladega he was going to finish in the top five but he was a victim of the “Big One” on the final lap. Because of his running position he still finished a respectable 11th. From a career perspective this has been a good track for Harvick. He’s a former winner and has 12 top 12 finishes. At Daytona earlier this season he looked strong but was caught up in the wrecking on the last lap and as a result he finished 13th. (Yahoo A Driver)
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