Evan Habeeb-US Presswire
Same day, same incentives, different track.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers start round three of the Chase at Dover International Speedway, better known as the Monster Mile.
Last Sunday, Denny Hamlin won round two in convincing fashion at Loudon, and he appears to have momentum on his side.
Well, so far so good.
Dover is one of Hamlin’s worse tracks, but that didn’t faze him this time as he went out and won his third pole of the season.
Because he is on the pole, he would be a safe bet to secure some extra points for fantasy owners. Hamlin’s a good choice, nonetheless, and I’d like to think he’ll manage to finish top ten this time around. However, he’s not in my starting five, though.
The Elite
Jimmie Johnson: What needs to be said about Ol’ Five-time? He has won four of the last seven Dover races. In fact, I wrote an article stating that he is a must-start. I’m sticking with my guns. Johnson starts 11th.
Fantasy NASCAR cost: $28.00
‘Wild Thing’ is reminding me of the classic case ‘What if he were in the Chase?’ In final practice, Busch had the fastest 10 consecutive lap average. All the Gibbs cars appear to be good for the weekend. Expect him to be a contender for the race win. Busch starts fifth.
Fantasy NASCAR cost: $26.25
Jeff Gordon
Gordon is on the list only because it has been said that his team brought back the same car from June. He was the only driver who would have kept Johnson from winning the June race, as his car was equal to, or just as good. It didn’t happen as Gordon was still in his hard-luck phase, no thanks to having a loose wheel. He starts seventh.
Fantasy NASCAR cost: $26.50
The Fillers
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
His name won’t be on this list for long. Stenhouse is making his third career start in the Cup Series, and second of 2012. In those two previous starts, he has finished 11th and 20th. Stenhouse starts 17th, and I firmly believe he’ll stay there, or even possibly finish higher than that. He is a bargain for the price NASCAR.com has him as.
Fantasy NASCAR cost: $4.00
T.J. Bell
As I’ve aforementioned before, whenever there is a driver qualified in the No. 32 car, it should be known that he’ll complete the whole race. Bell starts 41st.
Fantasy NASCAR cost: $3.00
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