Carl Edwards is short on wins in '09 but won here last year

Following an off-week, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series sets up shop at Atlanta Motor Speedway this week for the Pep Boys Auto 500. The 1.54-mile quad-oval is among the fastest tracks on the circuit. Like Texas Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Atlanta is also banked 24 degrees in the corners and makes for a useful fantasy comparison.

Carl Edwards | No. 99 Aflac Children’s Cancer Center Ford | Roush Fenway Racing

After winning nine races last season it was widely assumed Edwards would have a least a couple of wins by this point. But don’t let the disappointment cause you to overlook Edwards, the defending winner of the Pep Boys Auto 500. In 10 career starts at Atlanta, Edwards has earned a top-10 finish each time out, minus two races in which his car sustained damage.

In fact, when you excuse those two races his already impressive 10.7 career average skyrockets to 3.1. Even more impressive, all six of his top-fives are actually the top-three results. Another good reason to consider Edwards are his results this season at Atlanta, Texas and Lowe’s, where he was the only driver to notch a top-10 result at each.

Casey Mears | No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing

Much like his ‘09 season, Mears has been solid but unspectacular at Atlanta. He owns a 14.3 average finish over the last four straight races at Atlanta, offering decent potential from a second-tier driver. For the first time this season Mears has put together a streak of three top-15 results, so this could just the right time to roll the dice on Mears.

Jamie McMurray | No. 26 Crown Royal Ford | Roush Fenway Racing

Over the last 12 races this season, McMurray has not finished inside the top-10 but does have six finishes inside the top 15 and nine results of 22nd or better. In 14 career starts at Atlanta, McMurray owns a mediocre 19.8 average finish but if you look past five races due to damage to his ride, McMurray’s average jumps to 9.8. In March, McMurray started in the third row but faded back to finish in the 15th position.

A.J. Allmendinger | No. 44 Hunt Brothers Pizza Dodge | Richard Petty Motorsports

It has been a bumpy ride for Allmendinger this season. But Atlanta is the place he has done a solid job of overcoming obstacles. Despite never qualifying better than 31st in three attempts, Allmendinger owns an average finish of 15.66. Back in March, Allmendinger started 38th and rallied to 17th. Allmendinger got only one shot at Atlanta last year; he started a career-worst 39th but finished a career-best 14th.

Bill Elliott | No. 21 Motorcraft Ford | Wood Brothers Racing

The 52-year-old is a five-time winner at Atlanta and running a part-time schedule with Wood Brothers. Elliott has made the most of his limited chances in a mediocre ride. In his last five races, Elliott has complied an average start of 9.2 and an average finish of 20.4 – not bad for a third-tier long shot option.

Edwards sits fifth in the Sprint Cup standings with 3,110 points. He has no wins, seven top-fives, 11 top-10s and an average finish of 13.0 in 24 starts this year.

A fractured foot shouldn't slow Edwards

Fantasy owners of Edwards should be looking forward to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. He has three wins, six top-fives and eight top-10s in 10 career starts at the Georgia track.

Despite the injury to Edwards’ foot, play him with confidence this weekend at Atlanta unless he receives troubling news while visiting with a foot specialist Thursday.

Can Kyle Busch win the Sharpie 500?

The NASCAR Sprint Cup series rolls onto the racing amphitheater known as Bristol Motor Speedway this week for the Sharpie 500. The concrete track was repaved in 2007 to add more grooves but the high level of physical racing we had been accustomed to seeing has been less common ever since. Regardless, the night race at Bristol is still marked on the calendar of many NASCAR fans.

Kyle Busch | No. 18 M&M’s Toyota | Joe Gibbs Racing

In desperate need of a win to help his fading odds of making the Chase, Bristol comes at just the right time for Busch. He simply dominated the last two races at Bristol, leading 378 laps and winning the March race. Plus, Busch led another 415 laps in last year’s race under the lights, finishing second. With an average finish of 5.7 at Bristol over the last four years (seven races), Busch is a fine staple to any fantasy lineup this week.

Jeff Burton | No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing

At Bristol, Burton has proven to be a boom or bust play. He won last year’s March race and came all the way from the 40th position to finish eighth in this year’s March event. Over the 10 starts at Bristol, Burton has a win, two runner-up finishes and three other finishes of 12th or better. However, the four other finishes were 34th or worse.

Kevin Harvick | No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing

In the March contest at Bristol, Harvick started and finished 30th, his worst result since 2005. But the nightmare season for Harvick appears to be over, with three finishes of 12th or better in his last four races. Last year, Havrick was the runner-up in March and finished fourth at the night race. Over his career Harvick has been consistent at Bristol with 11 top-10 finishes in 17 starts.

Regan Smith | No. 78 Furniture Row Companies Chevrolet | Furniture Row Racing

In last year’s night race, Smith started fourth and finished 14th. While running a part-time schedule this season, Smith has made 11 starts and finished 22nd or better six times. As a low-rent fantasy option, Smith could challenge for a top 20 yet again – a solid fantasy result for a third-tier driver.

Aric Almirola | No. 09 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Dodge | Phoenix Racing

A deeper pick? OK, here’s an even deeper pick. However, Almirola finished 35th in March and is riding in lesser equipment this week so he’s clearly very risky. But Almirola has been able to get around Bristol in his short career, last year he finished eighth and 13th. He also owns a 10th-place Nationwide finish in 2007. If you are looking to free up space in salary cap leagues, they don’t come much cheaper than Almirola.

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MIS is among the fastest tracks due thanks to wide, sweeping turns and long straightaways. The two-mile, D-shaped oval features modest banking and the wide surface provides three and four grooves of open racing. The configuration is most similar to Texas Motor Speedway which held its first Cup race this season back in April.

Greg Biffle | No. 16 3M Scotch Tough Duct Tape Ford | Roush Fenway Racing

Running out of fuel cost Biffle the checkered flag in the spring race at MIS but he managed to coast in for a fifth-place finish, adding another top-five result to last year�s event in August. On the season, only Biffle and Jeff Gordon have a top-five finish at both MIS and Texas.

Brian Vickers | No. 83 Red Bull Toyota | Red Bull Racing

His odds at making the Chase are getting bleak but Vickers has been performing like he belongs. Over the last six races Vickers is sixth in Cup series points scored. Vickers has also been red hot at MIS, entering with a streak of four consecutive top-10 finishes. Vickers won the pole in two straight attempts at MIS and should be slated in all formats that reward bonus points for top qualifiers.

Elliott Sadler | No. 19 Stanley Tools Dodge | Richard Childress Racing

Over the last five years Sadler has an odd pattern on strong qualifying runs in August MIS races. In those races Sadler’s average qualifying position is a sharp 4.8, a vast contrast from his 28.2 average in June. In the spring MIS race Sadler at finished in the 12th position, after securing ninth place in both events last year.

David Ragan | No. 6 UPS Ford | Roush Fenway Racing

In five career starts, Ragan owns an average finish of 13.0 and has finished better than he started in each run. Earlier this season Ragan started 23rd and finished 15th at MIS. It has been a disappointing season for Ragan but MIS offers a great opportunity to rebound as the Roush stable has a strong track record at MIS.

Bill Elliott | No. 21 Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford | Wood Brothers Racing

Many fantasy owners in allocation leagues are looking to save starts prior to the Chase so here is a deep sleeper this week. At age 53, Elliott is running a part-time schedule in a Woods Brothers car that ain’t too bad. In June, the seven-time MIS winner started 15th and finished 16th. In his last five races, Elliott has an average starting position of 9.25 and an average finish of 21.5. Elliott’s price is dirt cheap in salary cap formats, take the discount and upgrade the rest of the roster.

Joey Logano looks to conquer the Tricky Triangle.

This week the NASCAR Sprint Cup series returns to Pocono Raceway for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. Each of Pocono’s three turns are modeled after three different popular tracks and thus banked differently, turn two is molded after Indianapolis Motor Speedway where last week’s race was held) Connecting the turns are three straight-aways which each differ in length creating the odd track configuration that has earned the nickname, “The Tricky Triangle.”

Carl Edwards | No. 99 Aflac Ford | Roush Fenway Racing

Despite leading 103 of the 200 laps, the winner of last year’s Pennsylvania 500 was the runner-up to Tony Stewart in June’s Pocono 500. In nine career starts, Edwards has gotten to the front at Pocono for at least one lap on six occasions. In the six races since the Pocono 500, Edwards has two fourth-place finishes (his only top-10s in that span) and has not finished worse than 19th. Last week at Indianapolis, another track that is difficult to make passes on, Edwards came from 41st to finish with a very solid 15th-place result.

David Reutimann | No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing

Prior to June’s race, Reutimann just one top-20 finish and three others of 30th or worse at Pocono. But after qualifying 13th, a personal best, Reutimann went on to finish third. Over the next three races he began to slide, finishing 22.5 on the average. Reutimann has rebounded over the last two races, finishing 12th and eighth last week at Indianapolis. Reutimann will be need ride the momentum to start making up the 68 points he is behind for the 12th and final spot to make the Chase.

Clint Bowyer | No. 33 The Hartford Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing

Maybe there’s something about August in Pennsylvania that Bowyer enjoys; two of his three career top-10 finishes have come in the last two August races at Pocono, finishing eighth in 2007 and a career-best sixth last year. Bowyer has finished on the lead lap in four of last five Pocono races, averaging a 9.0 finish. In the six races since Pocono, Bowyer complied three top-10 finishes and an average finish 22.3 in the other three races.

Marcos Ambrose | No. 47 iRacing.com/Kingsford/Clorox Toyota | JTG Daugherty Racing

The Australian was one of only two drivers in the June race who started 20th or worse that finished in the top-10. In his first Pocono start, Ambrose finished sixth after starting 20th, Sam Hornish, Jr. finished 10th after improving from 26th back. Over the six races since Pocono, Ambrose has been up and down; half of his finishes 11th or better and the other three finish 22nd or worse, so exercise some caution.

Joey Logano | No. 20 The Home Depot Toyota | Joe Gibbs Racing

After winning the ARCA series race the day before, the rookie started and finished 23rd in his first career Cup start at Pocono. Despite that performance, Logano is a viable fantasy option the second time around. In the last six races, he has averaged a respectable average finish of 15.6 and, after starting from the rear last week, Logano worked his way through the field and finished 12th at Indy.

Kasey Kahne | No. 9 Budweiser Dodge | Richard Petty Motorsports
In leagues paying bonus points for top qualifying runs, Kahne should be the roster. Over the last four years, Kahne has started in the fourth position on three occasions and fifth once. Two accidents in that span, including a last-lap crash in 2006 after an otherwise good run, have hurt Kahne’s average finish. In all, Kahne owns three top-10 finishes and two top-five finishes in five career starts. Over the last six races this season, Kahne has scored the sixth-most Cup series points and has a great opportunity to climb further up the standings, where he currently sits in eighth.

Juan Pablo Montoya | No. 42 Target Chevrolet | Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing
Despite not registering a single top-five finish this season, Montoya resides ninth in points thanks to consistent runs over the past several weeks. Over the last six races, Montoya has complied the fifth-most points with five top-10 performances. Going back 11 races, Montoya has notched nine finishes of 12th or better. Last year at Indy, Montoya suffered an engine problem and did not finish the race. As a rookie in 2007, he started and finished second. Back in 2000, his lone start in the Indianapolis 500, Montoya started second and finished the day in victory lane, milk in hand.

A.J. Allmendinger | No. 44 Hunt Brothers Pizza Dodge | Richard Petty Motorsports
In his first career start at Indianapolis, Allmendinger started 26th and finished in the 10th position after leading four laps. On the season, Allmendinger has three top-10 finishes, two coming on oval tracks. In the last two races, Allmendinger has finished 17th and 13th. After some stretches of inconsistency, Allmendinger appears to be back on the rise and a threat to repeat another solid run at Indy.

Reed Sorenson | No. 43 Valvoline Dodge | Richard Petty Motorsports
Although he has been far from dependable this season, Sorenson is an interesting long-shot play this week. In 2007, Sorenson captured the pole and finished in fifth place, leading 16 laps. Last year, he finished in the 17th position after qualifying 22nd. Keep your expectations low, but Sorenson could sneak in another good run at Indy.

Sam Hornish Jr. | No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge | Penske Championship Racing
Several weeks ago it appears as if Hornish was ready for his Sprint Cup coming out party. After winning the Sprint Showdown during the All-Star festivities, Hornish complied an average finish of 13.0 over the next three races. Since then, Hornish has tapered off with four finishes of 29th or worse over the last five races. Hornish won the 2006 edition of the Indianapolis 500 and his small steps forward in his second Cup season should ensure he improves upon last year’s 21st-place finish.

Greg Biffle | No. 16 3M Ford | Roush Fenway Racing
The steady improvement in Biffle’s performance at Chicagoland warrants him a good look in all fantasy formats. In his first two starts, Biffle finished in the 20th position each time. Biffle improved to 11th-place finishes in three straight races from 2005 to 2007. Last year, Biffle registered a career-best fourth-place finish and led 43 laps. Earlier in the year, Biffle finished seventh and led 40 laps at Las Vegas. Biffle has also performed well at Kansas with four top-three finishes in the last five years.

David Reutimann | No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing
The Franchise has two Cup series starts at Chicagoland. His first race ended quickly due to an engine problem, putting him in last place. In 2008, Reutimann finished in 14th-place in the Cup race and fifth in the Nationwide Series, after winning the pole. He also finished 19th at Kansas after starting 40th. Earlier this year at Las Vegas, Reutimann started and finished in the fourth position. With solid performances at these cookie-cutter tracks, the Double-Zero could be baking more goodies this week.

Brian Vickers | No. 83 Red Bull Toyota | Red Bull Racing
History has shown the great qualifying runs are not necessary to win at Chicagoland but Vickers cannot be ignored in any format that rewards top qualifiers. Vickers started in the top-five in his first three attempts until qualifying 15th last year. His finishes have also been good, with two top-10 finishes in four career starts, never finishing worse than 14th. Although he has never won the pole here consider him a threat to do so this week as Vickers has captured the most poles this season with four.

Kevin Harvick | No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing

Take a chance on Kevin Harvick in Illinois.

On pace for his worst standings finish in his career, Harvick is on fantasy life support. worse in four of the last five races. Harvick was the winner of the first and second races held at Chicagoland in 2001 and 2002. He stumbled at bit over the next three years with 15.33 average finish. From 2008 to 2008, Harvick rebounded strongly finishing fourth on two occasions and in third-place last year. For those owners looking for a super risky bargain consider Harvick whose price in salary cap formats has bottomed out.

A.J. Allmendinger | No. 44 Hunt Brothers Pizza Dodge | Richard Petty Motorsports
Starting in the 39th position last year, Allmendinger finished 13th in his first career start at Chicagoland. Last year at Kansas, Allmendinger finished ninth. His sound performances in limited starts at these similar tracks warrant Allmendinger has a very legit deep fantasy option.

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.

Can Jimmie Johnson win his third of the year at New Hampshire?

The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 is held at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, a 1.058-mile oval speedway, located in Loudon, New Hampshire. After the narrow road course last week, drivers should enjoy the wide, multi-groove race track. History has shown the winner has started from inside the top-15 far more often than not. This is a good week to mix it up and start your best qualifers come race day.

Jimmie Johnson | No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports

In 14 career starts, Johnson has finished 15th or better on 13 occasions. In addition to six top-10 finishes over the last seven races, Johnson swept in 2003. Although he has never won the pole at Loudon, Johnson owns the best average starting position (7.9) over the last five years (10 races). Strong qualifying runs in addition to consistant finishes make Johnson the strongest driver this week in all formats.

David Reutimann | No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota | Michael Waltrip Racing

On the season, the man they call The Franchise has complied four top-10 finishes (three top-fives) through 16 races after registering only four top-10s last season. Despite never recording a top-10 finish at Loudon, Reutimann’s performance is on the rise. Over the last two years (four races), his finish improved each and every time out. In 2007, Reutimann finished 38th and 26th. Last year, he cracked the top-20 with 19th and 15th-place outings. During that span, Reutimann had strong performances in the Nationwide series with eighth and seventh-place results.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. | No. 88 National Guard/Amp Energy Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports

Despite a frustrating season, Earnhardt has a chance to turn it around at a track where he has made some moderate success. Although he has not won Loudon, Earnhardt has led laps in four straight races. Most importantly, he a lot of good qualifying runs. Over the last six years (12 races), Earnhardt has started sixth or better on eight occasions.

Martin Truex Jr. | No. 1 TomTom Chevrolet | Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing

In six career starts at Loudon, Truex has started inside the top-10 on four occasions, finishing seventh or better in four straight. Following a six-place Southern 500 finish in early May, Truex has not finished better than 18th in five consective starts. Like Earnhardt, consider Truex based upon the results of qualifying.

Brad Keselowski | 09 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Chevrolet | Phoenix Racing

The victory at Talladega may have inflated his price in salary cap formats but Keselowski is strong long shot play this week. Keselowski finished seventh at the Southern 500 but has not been in a Cup points race since. At New Hampshire, the rookie has 10th-place finish at last year’s Nationwide race.

Can Clint Bowyer win at Sonoma?

Infineon Raceway, one of two road course on the Sprint Cup schedule, is a 2.52 mile that winds up and down the hills. Among A drivers, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch will garner the most attention for good reason. In 16 career starts, Gordon has five wins and an impressive average finish of 9.3 at Infineon. Busch has improved his performances at both road courses each year, culminating in a sweep last season.

Clint Bowyer | No. 33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing
With rival owners fixated on those two drivers, Bowyer is a sneaky play this week. Bowyer has three career starts at Infineon: a 16th-place finish as a rookie in 2006 and consecutive fourth-place finishes over the last two seasons. One concern would appear to be his mediocre performance at Watkins Glen (17.7 average finish) but that is on par with his performance at The Glen in three Nationwide Starts (18.0 average finish). A deeper look at his history at the other road courses on the Nationwide Series shows sixth and seventh-place finishes in three starts at Mexico City and ninth-place finish last year at Montreal. Even with those solid finishes, Bowyer does not consider himself an expert on the road courses. However, Bowyer is improving rapidly and enters this race with momentum; top-12 finishes over the last weeks.

Juan Pablo Montoya | No. 42 Target Chevrolet | Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing
Currently 14th in points, Montoya needs a solid performance to catapult himself into the Chase picture so this race at Infineon, the site of his lone Sprint Cup victory in 2007, comes at a perfect time. Last year was Montoya’s only other start at the track, finishing sixth. Narrow road courses tend to be difficult to pass on but this is clearly not an issue for the former-Formula One driver, who has plenty of experience with right-hand turns. His strong average finish (3.5) in those starts is even more impressive given his average starting position (26.5). While he is still improving on the ovals, Montoya should be a staple in any fantasy lineup at Infineon.

Ryan Newman | No. 39 TBA Chevrolet | Stewart-Haas Racing
Although he is not known as a strong road course driver, Newman’s career average finish at Infineon (9.4) is just a tick off Jeff Gordon’s pace. In seven career starts, Newman has five top-10 finishes and has qualified inside the top-10 in three straight attempts. Prior to last week’s 23rd-place finish at Pocono, Newman complied eight finishes inside the top-eight over the last 10 races. Sharing notes with teammate Tony Stewart, the only driver other than Jeff Gordon with multiple wins at Infineon, should only add to Newman’s chances this week.

Marcos Ambrose | No. 14 Little Debbie/Kingsford/Clorox Toyota | JTG Daugherty Racing
Last year in his first career start at Infineon, Ambrose qualified seventh but finished 42nd following an accident. Later in the season, Ambrose finished third at Watkins Glen. In the Nationwide Series, Ambrose has six starts at road courses with an average finish of 5.7. From 2001-05, Ambrose was a strong performer in the V8 Supercars touring car series in Australia and has plenty of road course experience to challenge for his first checkered flag as a darkhorse.

Boris Said | No. 08 TBA Ford | E and M Motorsports
If you are looking to start a road course ringer, Said is the top option (edging out Ron Fellows). Said will have to qualify on time in order to make the show but he should not issue doing so. In nine career starts, Said has qualified inside the top-five on four occasions. He has finished 11th or better five times. On three occasions, Said has finished worse than 17th- due to accident or mechanical issues.