Give the battle of Denny Hamlin Vs. Jimmie Johnson to Denny Hamlin. Not saying Johnson isn't a threat to win, but Hamlin is very happy with his car, and Hamlin 5th Vs. Johnson 17th is enough for me to rank Hamlin as the Top A-List selection this week. Remember Johnson did not lead a lap here last time in Martinsville, I think Hamlin is a threat to lead the most laps.
If you're looking to go outside the box, Kevin Harvick is an a good option not named Hamlin or Johnson, Harvick will be in contention for the win, and might of learned a thing or two from the truck race after that massive camber adjustment they made. I wouldn't go much deeper than Harvick in the A-List this week.
RANKINGS: 11, 48, 29, 18, 24, 99, 14, ect.
B-LIST:
As with most of the other experts, I'm not falling all over myself for Jamie McMurray. He looked this good in practice here at this track before and absolutely fell on his face in the race, which has been a trend of his in the past. His past track record isn't great here, and although he's all over the top of the charts, he's by no means an auto-start on your roster.
I still really like Clint Bowyer this week, his car has been fast and consistent and he should be good for a solid Top 10, maybe even a Top 5 if the cards fall correctly. He's got a good pit stall with an "opening" behind him for an easy in and the 38 car in front of him who should be a lap down early.
Ryan Newman is another who really woke up in qualifying (no surprise). He's got a pit stall opening in front of him for an easy out and has great track position to start the race. We should be seeing Top 10 contention out of Newman on Sunday.
Kasey Kahne and A.J. Allmendinger are two drivers who barely missed my team when I rolled the dice on some sleepers, but if you have them on your team, both are good start options, especially Dinger for a start-save. Both drivers have had an excellent flat track program in the past. Joey Logano really impressed me with his backup car and moves up my rankings due to track position and pit stall selection.
I was very disappointed with both Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Juan Pablo Montoya, both are wasting space on my B-List this week. I'm giving the momentum and past experience edge slightly to Earnhardt Jr, although I do like Montoya's pit selection better with the 60 and 66 start-n-parks on either side of him.
RANKINGS: 33, 39, 4, 20, 1, 43, 88, 42, 5, 31, 2, ect.
C-LIST:Start Bobby Labonte. Even though Paul Menard can more-than-likely finish in front of the 47 this week, we can't start Menard every week. This is the perfect situation to sit Menard and start someone like Labonte this week with his on-track performance and excellent track position and pit stall. Regan Smith laid down a good qualifying run, which is nothing new, but his past performance here is just dismal. I'd start Smith if you're C-List is Smith/Menard, but that's it. David Ragan might be another driver who you could sneak a start out of, he at least has potential to be on pace with Menard. Casey Mears turned up bust, he gets benched.
Our team will roll off with the following:
A-LIST:
DENNY HAMLIN (9 Starts Remaining)
B-LIST:
CLINT BOWYER (9 Starts Remaining)
DALE EARNHARDT JR. (9 Starts Remaining)
C-LIST:
BOBBY LABONTE (9 Starts Remaining)
BENCH:
Jimmie Johnson (9 Starts), Juan Pablo Montoya (8 Starts), Brad Keselowski (9 Starts), Casey Mears (9 Starts).
Don't forget to watch the yahoo message board around Noon EST for our link to our weekly live chat that will take you up to the green flag!
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