Top 20 Fantasy NASCAR Drivers For NRA 500
Race: NRA 500
Date: Saturday, April 13 2013 7:30 PM ET
Location: Texas Motor Speedway
Past Winners: Greg Biffle (2012), Matt Kenseth (2011), Denny Hamlin (2010), Jeff Gordon (2009), Carl Edwards (2008), Jeff Burton (2007), Kasey Kahne (2006), Greg Biffle (2005), Elliot Sadler (2004), Ryan Newman (2003), Matt Kenseth (2002), Dale Jarrett (2001), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000), Terry Labonte (1999), Mark Martin (1998), Jeff Burton (1997)
Overview:
NASCAR racing and the NRA are two things that go together better than peanut butter and jelly. While the race drew nationwide controversy for it’s sponsorship with the National Riffle Association last year, “The Show Must Go On” as they say.
This year many fantasy NASCAR fans will be focusing on big names like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Carl Edwards.
However, some of the lesser-known drivers will also be worth keeping an eye on this weekend. Veteran driver Greg Biffle has won twice in Texas and is having another strong season.
Other drivers such as Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, and Clint Bowyer also can have great value towards the end of fantasy drafts. Most fantasy fans love to lock onto the big five listed above, but any of these other veterans can be worthy fantasy selections in Texas.
To help you draft this weekend, here are the top 20 fantasy NASCAR drivers for the 2013 NRA 500.
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. Paul Menard
Paul Menard – Menard has shockingly not finished worse than 21st place this season.
19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Stenhouse Jr. has finished inside the top-25 in all six races this year.
18. Joey Logano
Joey Logano – After all the attention last week Logano miserably finished in 23rd. Look for J-Lo to be a little calmer this weekend in Texas.
17. Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer – In 14 races at TMS, Bowyer has 12 top-20 finishes and eight top-10 finishes.
16. Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick – Harvick has cracked the top-14 in five consecutive races, but he will have a tough time starting back in 29th.
15. Mark Martin
Mark Martin – Martin has cracked the top-10 13 times at Texas.
14. Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray – McMurray is coming off a season-best seventh place finish at Martinsville last weekend.
13. Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola - Double A finished 15th at Texas last November and his third place start will keep him near the front of the pack all race long.
12. Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle – Biffle has won in Texas twice since 2005, but starting back in 35th place won't help his cause this year.
11. Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. – MTJ will start the race in fifth and will easily have a fantasy worthy performance this Sunday.
10. Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart – Stewart has not cracked the top-10 since the Subway Fresh Fit 500 last month, but he has always loved racing at Texas. Expect Stewart to finally crack the top-10 this weekend.
9. Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne – Kahne has continued to impress fantasy owners week after week. He has four top-nine finishes in his last four races and is one of the hottest drivers on the Sprint Cup circuit.
8. Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch – Busch cracked the top-13 in both races at TMS last year. He will start the race in second this year, so expect him to have another strong showing in Texas.
7. Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards – Edwards is flying under the radar this year, despite having five finishes inside the top-18. He will be a great sleeper to target this weekend.
6. Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon – Gordon has three top-14 finishes in his last three appearances in the state of Texas.
5. Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth – Kenseth has cooled off since winning Kobalt Tools 400, but he cracked the top-five in both trips to Texas last year.
4. Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski – Keselowski finished 36th at the NRA 500 last year, but finished second in the fall race in Texas. He has also cracked the top-six in five of the six races this season, so another top-five finish this weekend is all but guaranteed.
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Junior has three top-five finishes this season and is due for a win more than any other driver on the track.
2. Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson – Johnson finished second at the NRA 500 last year.
1. Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch – Busch has been on fire this season and has cracked the top-five in four straight races. Busch will start the NRA 500 on the pole, so expect him to easily be the number fantasy option this weekend.
