- Hamlin is a great NASCAR flat track driver. - Photo by: BHFeller
NASCAR Sprint Cup heads to the hallowed grounds of the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR Cup drivers consider the Brickyard 400 a special win on the same caliber as the Daytona 500. Every driver who has won the Brickyard 400 holds the trophy with the high reverence the feat deserves and kissing the strip of rubber crusted bricks is the ambition of all 43 NASCAR drivers taking the green flag.
Fantasy NASCAR Owners Need to Take Advantage of Driving Skill for Brickyard 400
The world of fantasy NASCAR racing is tough to begin with and then when a wild card track like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is thrown in, some Fantasy NASCAR owners stick with the usual suspects.
There is another track that can give fantasy NASCAR owners a clue as to who to focus on for this race. Pocono is a flat, elongated track that is hard on the brakes and is comparable to Indianapolis. Years ago, the Brickyard 400 and Pocono were back to back and it was a noticeable trend that whoever won Pocono, either did well in the Brickyard 400 or won the both races outright.
Who is the best NASCAR Driver at Both Pocono & Indianapolis?
History is on the side of Mr Kasey Kahne heading into the Brickyard 400. Since the #9 team's inception under Ray Evernham, the team has performed well at both Pocono and Indianapolis. There are several things factoring in to Kahne being the first pick to do well as a Fantasy NASCAR pick.
Aside from Kahne being a flat out driver who is not afraid to drive his car in deep to the tight corners at Indianapolis, Kahne is driving for a team that is steeped in history at the magical brickyard. Richard Petty Motorsports is a melding of three teams. Richard Petty's team, Ray Evernham's (then Gillette/Evernham) team and most importantly Robert Yates team.
Richard Petty Motorsports will have an FR-9 engine under Kahne's hood and if the engine can hold together, this could be Ford's first win. Robert Yates powered cars have been big on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since NASCAR has frequented the track and Kahne could help Fantasy NASCAR owners dig themselves out of a hole. Make Kahne the #1 driver on a fantasy NASCAR team.
2nd & 3rd Options to Gain Ground in Fantasy NASCAR Leagues
The top three drivers for any fantasy NASCAR league have to include a driver that has wheeled his car into victory circle the last two NASCAR Brickyard 400's. That would be Jimmie Johnson. There is no further information necessary. Take Jimmie Johnson as first or second choice on a fantasy NASCAR team.
Next in line for the third choice is not much of a gamble either. Denny Hamlin's crew chief Mike Ford knows how to win and place well in the Brickyard 400. Hamlin has an excellent engine under him and he could be at the front all day at Indianapolis.
Final Breakdown of a Fantasy NASCAR team for the Brickyard 400
Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin are a great start. What if your fantasy NASCAR league has five drivers? Try Mark Martin and as a long shot take Dale Earnhardt Jr. For those in a league where Dale Jr is overvalued, take AJ Allmendinger. Don't laugh, he will make the top ten and score major points - if he keeps his car and his FR-9 engine in one piece.
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
