Fantasy NASCAR Rankings For Aaron's 499
Race: Aaron’s 499
Location: Talladega Superspeedway
Date: Sunday, March 5, 2013
Past Winners: Brad Keselowski (2012), Jimmie Johnson (2011), Kevin Harvick (2010), Brad Keselowski (2009), Kyle Busch (2008), Jeff Gordon (2007), Jimmie Johnson (2006), Jeff Gordon (2005), Jeff Gordon (2004), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2002), Bobby Hamilton (2001), Jeff Gordon (2000)
2012 Results: 1. Brad Keselowski 2. Klye Busch 3. Matt Kenseth 4. Kasey Kahne 5. Greg Biffle 6. Clint Bowyer 7. David Ragan 8. Trevor Bayne 9. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 10. Jeff Burton 11. Jamie McMurray 12. Aric Almirola 13. David Gilliland 14. Marcos Ambrose 15. A.J. Allmendinger 16. Travis Kvapil 17. Paul Menard 18. Casey Mears 19. Michael Waltrip 20. Kurt Busch
Overview:
Denny Hamlin made an emotional return this week to Talladega after missing over a month with a compression fracture in his lower back. Hamlin was only cleared by his doctors to race in 16 laps in practice and has stated that he will eventually turn his car over to Brian Vickers in this race. However, the veteran will still race a little this Sunday. Love him or hate him, it was still nice to see him finally get back behind the wheel.
The 2013 Aaron’s 499 will once again be jam-packed. Last year saw 17 different racers take a hold of the lead, so fantasy NASCAR fans should expect more of the same down in Bama this Sunday afternoon.
To help you draft this week, here are my top 20 fantasy NASCAR drivers for the 2013 Aaron’s 499.
20. Paul Menard
Paul Menard – Menard has been one of the biggest surprises this season, but he tends to disappear in these types of restrictor plate races.
19. Mark Martin
Mark Martin – Martin has four straight top-20 finishes at Talladega and will be a great sleeper in his home race.
18. Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle – Biffle has struggled lately, as he hasn’t cracked the top-18 in three weeks.
17. Jamie McMurray
Jamie McMurray – McMurray has been a surprisingly valuable fantasy option this season. He has cracked the top-20 in six of his last seven races.
16. Jeff Burton
Jeff Burton – Burton has cracked the top-10 in Alabama in three consecutive races.
15. Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola – Double-A has finished inside of the top-eight in three straight races. He continues to be an amazing value pick week after week.
14. Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer – Bowyer has four straight finishes inside of the top-15.
13. Marcos Ambrose
Marcos Ambrose - Ambrose will start in third this weekend and will be near the front of the pack all afternoon.
12. Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart – Stewart heads into Talladega in the middle of the worst season of his career. He has only cracked the top -15 once in his last eight races in Alabama, so this may be another week to steer clear of the #14 car.
11. Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne – Kahne is ranked third in overall points this season and is having a career season. He already has four top-five finishes and has led 223 laps in 2013.
10. Joey Logano
Joey Logano – J-Lo has three top-five finishes in the last five races. He may not have any wins this year, but he has surely been a solid fantasy option amidst all the controversy.
9. Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick – Harvick has cracked the top-14 in eight straight races, including a win last weekend in Richmond.
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – After starting 2013 with five straight top-seven finishes, Junior hasn’t finished better than 10th in the four races since. He may crack the top-10 this weekend, but don't expect much better than that.
7. Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. – MTJ has finished inside the top-13 in five of the last six races in Talladega.
6. Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon – JG has six career wins at Talladega. He also placed second at the last race and will be a solid option this Sunday.
5. Matt Kenseth
Matt Kenseth – Kenseth has five consecutive top-14 finishes this season.
4. Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski – Keselowski won last year’s A499 and will have a shot again this year starting back in 10th.
3. Jimmie Johnson
Jimmmie Johnson - Johnson will start this weekend's race in eighth and Five-Time will finally get a chance to make some noise in Talladega.
2. Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch – Busch finished second and third in the two 2012 races in Talladega.
1. Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards – Edwards will start this weekend on the pole and will be the most popular fantasy pick for this race.
