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It's have been a very strange few weeks so say the least! Never before have I seen Nascar fans in general have argued among themselves, more than I have seen in the past 14 or so days. Clearly everyone have a opinion, but that what I have always thought made this a great sport. In no other sport, can everyone have a different opinion much as Nascar. However I also felt like we all can disagree without taking it to a personal level as well. Many of you forgot about that in heat of the moment it appears. With that said, there is racing to be done at Texas this weekend so let's move on from this silliness! Texas is a 1.5 mile racetrack and personally I don't think track position is as important as most tracks in the chase. You can make passing here, but I wouldn't go crazy though. Overall I would stick to using the fast cars in fantasy lineups, and maybe a few drivers mid-pack. Alright here how I felt they stacked up!
A:
1. Kevin Harvick - Harvick is my top driver this weekend for several reasons. Harvick have been one of the strongest drivers on this type track all season long. Not to mention starting up front is a huge advantage, considering often Harvick have been impossible to catch after he takes the lead. I don't think track position will mean everything, but the 4 car is usually very fast on the long runs. That does not bodes well for the field on Sunday. There wasn't any practice on Saturday, but I would say Harvick is pretty much a top 3 car headed into the race.
My Overall Ranking: 1st
2. Joey Logano - I really thought about going with Logano over Harvick for the top spot, but in the end I don't really know how good Logano is. Also Logano is coming off a drama-filled week with the whole Matt Kenseth. It obvious have not effected him, but you never know. Regardless, I thought he was Top 5 good after taking in all of the factors. Really qualifying was the ultimate decider for me. These top two drivers are pretty much equal in every category I like at for my rankings. Personally I don't think the finishing position will be too much when the checkers waves.
My Overall Ranking: 2nd
3. Brad Keselowski - Keselowski will start on the pole for Sunday's race but personally I am never really too excited about Brad's potential on any given week. He may start up front and he may run up front, but rarely this season have he finished up front. For me that's a fantasy killer and personally I think it hard to trust him as well. Most of the time, he usually just fades down the leaderboard. We saw the same thing with teammate Joey Logano earlier this season. He seems to fix that problem as the season have gone on. Regardless I am not too high on him. Ranking him this high may be a mistake, but I guess there are worse decisions than taking a risk on the pole sitter! Realistically I would expect a top 10, but I have him ranked in the top 5. For a few reasons actually. Strong track record, excellent pit stall, and among other things, etc. Also leagues that offer bonus points for a lap led would make him more of a viable fantasy option.
My Overall Ranking: 3rd
4. Kyle Busch - Sleeper of the chase? Kyle Busch I would say! Seriously he been one of the most consistent top 5 performers since the chase started back at Chicagoland. Clearly he have had a few bad races, but who haven't? At Texas, he should be considered one of the favorites to score another quality top 5 run. Busch have always ran well at this 1.5 mile racetrack and looked solid on Friday in race trim. It helps that he will roll off from the 3rd starting position. Momentum wise, he have 2 top 5 finishes in his past 3 races dating back to Kansas. Headed into Sunday's race, I would say he could make it 3 in the past 4 races.
My Overall Ranking: 4th
5. Denny Hamlin - Hamlin already have been eliminated from the chase, but I think he can run near the front again on Sunday. Typically during the chase, Hamlin haven't found his way to the front until late in the race. So it hard to say if he is a viable fantasy option in leagues that focus in on fast laps and lap led, but he definitely could make a solid fantasy option based on what we know. Personally I think he is on the boarderline of being a top 5 play and a top 10 play.
My Overall Ranking: 5th
Other Options - Jimmie Johnson (7th), Jeff Gordon (8th), Dale Jr (10th) and Ryan Newman (13th)
B:
1. Kurt Busch - I was not really on board with Busch last week (good thing too), but this week I feel much better about him. The driver of the 41 car needs to win to advance in the chase most likely and I would not be shocked if he found victory lane on Sunday. Kurt have shown speed throughout the chase and I would say that he have some speed again this weekend. It hard to say what he has for the race. However based what I have seen from him on the 1.5 mile racetracks, I would say he should be easily a top 10 guy and possibly a top 5. I have across the line in 6th, but I think he will finish 2 position within that spot.
My Overall Ranking: 6th
2. Carl Edwards - Truthfully I am not as high on Edwards as most are this week, but regardless he is probably a top 10 driver headed into Sunday's race. Personally I think Edwards hit his peak just before the chase started. Does this mean he cannot finish well? Of course not! I am just saying, I think Edwards finishing inside the top 5 days are pretty much gone. His upside is top 10 in my opinion. In most formats, I would say that still pretty decent. Personally I have him across the line around 9th or so.
My Overall Ranking: 9th
3. Kyle Larson - The young CGR driver starting 5th on Sunday and could be in for a strong run! I always have thought this is one of Larson's best racetracks. He seems to understand how to get around this racetrack and looked pretty good in race trim on Friday. Of the three remaining tracks, I would say this is his best chance to finish near the top 5. Personally I think it realistic to view him as a top 10 play. However his inconsistency this season makes him nothing more a top 15 driver. But it hard to deny that he have great upside though.
My Overall Ranking: 11th
4. Martin Truex Jr - Normally I would be saying to avoid a chase driver who starting in mid-pack, but Truex have been solid throughout the chase and you can make passes here. As we saw in the NXS race, you can make passes with a fast car. I am not really sure how good he is with lack of practice on Saturday, but I do like him more than most do. I would say he is a top 15 driver with top 10 upside. If he started closer to the front, I would have ranked him higher. Considering he have ran very well at this track over the past few seasons.
My Overall Ranking: 12th
5. Kasey Kahne - Kahne is starting from 16th, but his track record says he will finish near the top 10 though. I think HMS overall have improved a lot over the past 3 or 4 races and we have seen it on their performances. Kahne was running 15th-20th there just before the chase and at start of the chase. Now? He is running inside the top 10 or just outside of that. I could live with having a top 12 finish with Kahne. Kahne also have finished well more often than not in the 5 car, since his debut in HMS in 2012.
My Overall Ranking: 14th
Other Options - Jamie Mac (15th), Clint Bowyer (16th), Austin Dillon (18th) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr (19th)
C:
1. Erik Jones - The young JGR driver is making only his 2nd career Cup start this weekend, but he will roll off from the 6th starting position! He should be a top 20 fantasy option easily in the type equipment he have access to. Probably even top 15, if everything goes according to plan. My biggest concern would be his lack of experience in a Cup car. Also the lack of practice time is a bit concerning as well. Otherwise I say roll with him and let him rip in all formats!
My Overall Ranking: 17th
2. Ryan Blaney - Blaney would be next in line if something would happen to Jones. Blaney didn't qualify well but I am not very worried about overall. He have proven in the past he can drive through the field, even if a lackluster starting position. I don't think he made any race trim runs on Friday, so it hard to say what to expect out of him. Based on what we know, I would expect a finish around 20th or so.
My Overall Ranking: 20th
3. Danica Patrick - Patrick will start from 11th on Sunday, but I do not expect her to stay there for very long. I don't really see her finishing any better than 20th in the race. Then again she been inconsistent all season long, so figuring out where she will finish have been pretty much impossible in my opinion! Based on what we already know, I think her likely outcome would be somewhere in the top 25, with a little luck probably 20th or so. Personally I don't want her on any of my fantasy teams, as she does not really have much value compared to other drivers.
My Overall Ranking: 22nd
Other Options - David Ragan (24th)
Twitter - @JeffNathans
It's have been a very strange few weeks so say the least! Never before have I seen Nascar fans in general have argued among themselves, more than I have seen in the past 14 or so days. Clearly everyone have a opinion, but that what I have always thought made this a great sport. In no other sport, can everyone have a different opinion much as Nascar. However I also felt like we all can disagree without taking it to a personal level as well. Many of you forgot about that in heat of the moment it appears. With that said, there is racing to be done at Texas this weekend so let's move on from this silliness! Texas is a 1.5 mile racetrack and personally I don't think track position is as important as most tracks in the chase. You can make passing here, but I wouldn't go crazy though. Overall I would stick to using the fast cars in fantasy lineups, and maybe a few drivers mid-pack. Alright here how I felt they stacked up!
A:
1. Kevin Harvick - Harvick is my top driver this weekend for several reasons. Harvick have been one of the strongest drivers on this type track all season long. Not to mention starting up front is a huge advantage, considering often Harvick have been impossible to catch after he takes the lead. I don't think track position will mean everything, but the 4 car is usually very fast on the long runs. That does not bodes well for the field on Sunday. There wasn't any practice on Saturday, but I would say Harvick is pretty much a top 3 car headed into the race.
My Overall Ranking: 1st
2. Joey Logano - I really thought about going with Logano over Harvick for the top spot, but in the end I don't really know how good Logano is. Also Logano is coming off a drama-filled week with the whole Matt Kenseth. It obvious have not effected him, but you never know. Regardless, I thought he was Top 5 good after taking in all of the factors. Really qualifying was the ultimate decider for me. These top two drivers are pretty much equal in every category I like at for my rankings. Personally I don't think the finishing position will be too much when the checkers waves.
My Overall Ranking: 2nd
3. Brad Keselowski - Keselowski will start on the pole for Sunday's race but personally I am never really too excited about Brad's potential on any given week. He may start up front and he may run up front, but rarely this season have he finished up front. For me that's a fantasy killer and personally I think it hard to trust him as well. Most of the time, he usually just fades down the leaderboard. We saw the same thing with teammate Joey Logano earlier this season. He seems to fix that problem as the season have gone on. Regardless I am not too high on him. Ranking him this high may be a mistake, but I guess there are worse decisions than taking a risk on the pole sitter! Realistically I would expect a top 10, but I have him ranked in the top 5. For a few reasons actually. Strong track record, excellent pit stall, and among other things, etc. Also leagues that offer bonus points for a lap led would make him more of a viable fantasy option.
My Overall Ranking: 3rd
4. Kyle Busch - Sleeper of the chase? Kyle Busch I would say! Seriously he been one of the most consistent top 5 performers since the chase started back at Chicagoland. Clearly he have had a few bad races, but who haven't? At Texas, he should be considered one of the favorites to score another quality top 5 run. Busch have always ran well at this 1.5 mile racetrack and looked solid on Friday in race trim. It helps that he will roll off from the 3rd starting position. Momentum wise, he have 2 top 5 finishes in his past 3 races dating back to Kansas. Headed into Sunday's race, I would say he could make it 3 in the past 4 races.
My Overall Ranking: 4th
5. Denny Hamlin - Hamlin already have been eliminated from the chase, but I think he can run near the front again on Sunday. Typically during the chase, Hamlin haven't found his way to the front until late in the race. So it hard to say if he is a viable fantasy option in leagues that focus in on fast laps and lap led, but he definitely could make a solid fantasy option based on what we know. Personally I think he is on the boarderline of being a top 5 play and a top 10 play.
My Overall Ranking: 5th
Other Options - Jimmie Johnson (7th), Jeff Gordon (8th), Dale Jr (10th) and Ryan Newman (13th)
B:
1. Kurt Busch - I was not really on board with Busch last week (good thing too), but this week I feel much better about him. The driver of the 41 car needs to win to advance in the chase most likely and I would not be shocked if he found victory lane on Sunday. Kurt have shown speed throughout the chase and I would say that he have some speed again this weekend. It hard to say what he has for the race. However based what I have seen from him on the 1.5 mile racetracks, I would say he should be easily a top 10 guy and possibly a top 5. I have across the line in 6th, but I think he will finish 2 position within that spot.
My Overall Ranking: 6th
2. Carl Edwards - Truthfully I am not as high on Edwards as most are this week, but regardless he is probably a top 10 driver headed into Sunday's race. Personally I think Edwards hit his peak just before the chase started. Does this mean he cannot finish well? Of course not! I am just saying, I think Edwards finishing inside the top 5 days are pretty much gone. His upside is top 10 in my opinion. In most formats, I would say that still pretty decent. Personally I have him across the line around 9th or so.
My Overall Ranking: 9th
3. Kyle Larson - The young CGR driver starting 5th on Sunday and could be in for a strong run! I always have thought this is one of Larson's best racetracks. He seems to understand how to get around this racetrack and looked pretty good in race trim on Friday. Of the three remaining tracks, I would say this is his best chance to finish near the top 5. Personally I think it realistic to view him as a top 10 play. However his inconsistency this season makes him nothing more a top 15 driver. But it hard to deny that he have great upside though.
My Overall Ranking: 11th
4. Martin Truex Jr - Normally I would be saying to avoid a chase driver who starting in mid-pack, but Truex have been solid throughout the chase and you can make passes here. As we saw in the NXS race, you can make passes with a fast car. I am not really sure how good he is with lack of practice on Saturday, but I do like him more than most do. I would say he is a top 15 driver with top 10 upside. If he started closer to the front, I would have ranked him higher. Considering he have ran very well at this track over the past few seasons.
My Overall Ranking: 12th
5. Kasey Kahne - Kahne is starting from 16th, but his track record says he will finish near the top 10 though. I think HMS overall have improved a lot over the past 3 or 4 races and we have seen it on their performances. Kahne was running 15th-20th there just before the chase and at start of the chase. Now? He is running inside the top 10 or just outside of that. I could live with having a top 12 finish with Kahne. Kahne also have finished well more often than not in the 5 car, since his debut in HMS in 2012.
My Overall Ranking: 14th
Other Options - Jamie Mac (15th), Clint Bowyer (16th), Austin Dillon (18th) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr (19th)
C:
1. Erik Jones - The young JGR driver is making only his 2nd career Cup start this weekend, but he will roll off from the 6th starting position! He should be a top 20 fantasy option easily in the type equipment he have access to. Probably even top 15, if everything goes according to plan. My biggest concern would be his lack of experience in a Cup car. Also the lack of practice time is a bit concerning as well. Otherwise I say roll with him and let him rip in all formats!
My Overall Ranking: 17th
2. Ryan Blaney - Blaney would be next in line if something would happen to Jones. Blaney didn't qualify well but I am not very worried about overall. He have proven in the past he can drive through the field, even if a lackluster starting position. I don't think he made any race trim runs on Friday, so it hard to say what to expect out of him. Based on what we know, I would expect a finish around 20th or so.
My Overall Ranking: 20th
3. Danica Patrick - Patrick will start from 11th on Sunday, but I do not expect her to stay there for very long. I don't really see her finishing any better than 20th in the race. Then again she been inconsistent all season long, so figuring out where she will finish have been pretty much impossible in my opinion! Based on what we already know, I think her likely outcome would be somewhere in the top 25, with a little luck probably 20th or so. Personally I don't want her on any of my fantasy teams, as she does not really have much value compared to other drivers.
My Overall Ranking: 22nd
Other Options - David Ragan (24th)
Twitter - @JeffNathans
