Top 20 Fantasy NASCAR Drivers for 2013 Kobalt 400
Top Fantasy Drivers for Kobalt 400
Race: Kobalt Tools 400
Date: Sunday March 10, 2013 3:00 PM ET
Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Clark County, Nevada
Past Winners: Tony Stewart (2012), Carl Edwards (2011), Jimme Johnson (2010), Kyle Busch (2009), Carl Edwards (2008), Jimme Johnson (2007), Jimmie Jonson (2006), Jimmie Johnson (2005), Matt Kenseth (2004), Matt Kenseth (2003), Sterling Marlin (2002), Jeff Gordon (2001), Jeff Burton (2000), Jeff Burton (1999), Mark Martin (1998)
Overview:
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway has only been around since 1998, so it is still a rather new track. Most of the pit crew and drivers are still new at dissecting this course, and the new Generation 6 racecars will only make it more difficult to gauge on the turns.
The Kobalt 400 has always been a tough race for fantasy NASCAR fans to evaluate. It is a racetrack with very tight turns and proves to consistently be one of the trickiest tracks on the Sprint Cup circuit.
Jimmie Johnson has enjoyed success here, as he has won it a record four times throughout his amazing career. Johnson will no doubt be one of the most popular picks this week.
2012 Sprint Cup Champion, Brad Keselowski, will be starting on top of the pole for the Kobalt 400. He has done well in every race this year, so expect this weekend to be another strong showing from BK.
To help you this weekend, here are the top-20 fantasy NASCAR drivers for the 2013 Kobalt 400 in Las Vegas:
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
20. Juan Pablo Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya – Montoya finished 12th last week in Phoenix, and he actually led 12 laps as well. He may not be an elite fantasy option, but he can certainly have value after the top-15 drivers come off the board.
19. Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick – Patrick had a rough outing last week, as she finished 39th after crashing into the wall. She will start 37th in the race and will have another rather miserable fantasy outing.
18. Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch – Busch has an average start of 5.2 at the Vegas Speedway. He may not finish well, but his great starting position always keeps him among the top-20 drivers in LV.
17. Mark Martin
Mark Martin – Martin won the inaugural race here back in 1998, but that was back before his hair turned grey. Martin is still one of the most experienced drivers heading to Vegas, so expect another overall decent fantasy performance.
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Stenhouse Jr. may not draw the attention of his popular girlfriend, but expect him to finish ahead of her this Sunday. RSJ begins the race in seventh and will finally get to start with the big boys.
15. Paul Menard
Paul Menard – In 2012 Menard started 26th at the Kobalt 400 and still managed to finish in seventh place. He may not win this weekend, but look for him to have a respectable outing.
14. Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. – MTJ has struggled this season as well, but he has always been a top-10 machine throughout his NASCAR career. Look for him to start stepping on it this weekend.
13. Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle – Biffle finished 17th on Phoenix and sixth at Daytona. The veteran is still racing hard race after race and will crack the top-15 once again.
12. Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne – After starting the 2013 season with two top-seven finished, Kahne finished 36th at the Daytona 500 and 19th at the Fresh Fit 500. Kahne can have value this week in Vegas, though, as he starts in the four spot.
11. Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth – Kenseth has driven like a man possessed this year. He lead 86 laps at the Daytona 500 and placed seventh at the Subway Fresh Fit 500 last weekend.
10. Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch – Busch started the season off hot, but has quickly cooled down. He has not cracked the top-10 in Vegas since winning it in 2009, but it will make Busch a great sleeper this Sunday.
9. Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon - Gordon will start in the 10th position and will likely stay close to that spot all race long.
8. Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin – Hamlin has cracked the top-15 in both races this year, including a third place finish last weekend in the desert.
7. Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer – Bowyer has two top-11 finishes on the year, but expect him to still fly under radar this week, despite starting the race in second.
6. Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick – Harvick has eight top-15 finishes at Las Vegas in his 12 career appearances, including three top-five finishes.
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Earnhardt Jr. is off to another amazing start this season. He is currently ranked second with 82 points and has two top-five finishes. Expect Junior to have another top-five finish this week in Sin City.
4. Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards - Edwards ended his 70-race winless streak last week by winning the Subway Fresh Fit 500. He has won the Kobalt 400 twice throughout his career, so expect him to be at the front of the pack again this Sunday.
3. Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart – Stewart won last year’s Kobalt 400 and will be looking to make another statement this year in Vegas.
2. Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski – Keselowski has finished fourth two races in a row and has started the 2013 season off in style. He will begin the race on the pole and is primed to have another huge race.
1. Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson – Johnson has won a record four times in Vegas and has an average finished for 10.6. He will be the most popular fantasy pick this week.
