Fantasy NASCAR: Five to go – Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola

This week the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads back to Daytona International Speedway for the third restrictor plate of the season. The results of this year’s Daytona 500 as well as the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway are good starting points when making evaluations on who to start this week. Good luck!

Kyle Busch | No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota | Richard Childress Racing

At this year’s Daytona 500, Busch led 88 laps but had his day ended early due to an accident. Last year, he led laps in both Daytona events, finishing fourth at the Daytona 500 and winning the Coke Zero 400. Over the last six races at Daytona, Busch has finished fourth or better on four occasions. The defending champ of this event should be a centerpiece of any fantasy lineup this week.

Will the Green Machine stir things up again this week?

Clint Bowyer | No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing

At Daytona, Bowyer has seven career starts and five finishes in the top-10. To start the season, Bowyer registered a career-best run at Daytona, finishing fourth. At Talladega, Bowyer has been less impressive due to accidents but still owns three finishes of 11th or better in seven attempts. Bowyer has been inconsistent this season but has four finishes of 12th or better over the last five races and appears to be safe to deploy this week.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. | No. 88 National Guard “Serving America”/Amp Energy Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports

Although he has looked better in recent weeks, Earnhardt has not put together a top-10 since finishing as the runner-up at Talledaga in late April. Earnhardt has historically been a very strong restrictor plate driver. Last year he finished ninth at the Daytona 500 and eighth at this event, leading laps in both. In 2006, Earnhardt also led laps in both races, finishing eighth and 13th. In 2005, he complied two third-place finishes. Earnhardt also led laps in 2004 events, winning the Daytona 500 and finishing third in the July race.

Elliott Sadler | No. 19 Stanley Tools Dodge | Richard Petty Motorsports

Sadler’s production has fallen off in recent years, but his ability to run well at Daytona has remained consistent. To start the season, Sadler finished fifth at the Daytona 500 and led 24 laps. Over the last seven races held at Daytona, Sadler has placed sixth on better on five occasions. Consider Sadler has a sneaky play this week and a great value in salary cap formats.

Brad Keselowski | No. 09 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Chevrolet | Phoenix Racing

The rookie has run only five points races in the Cup series this season but has finished seventh or better in his last three starts- including a victory at Talledaga. Keselowski has never started a Cup series race at Daytona but has made three starts in the Nationwide Series. In 2008, he finished 16th and fifth, leading 28 laps. Earlier this year he finished as the runner-up, leading six laps. In limited starts, Keselowski is quickly commanding respect on the track and in all fantasy formats.