Fantasy Preview: Indianapolis

Now, the Series is still more than a week a way from this race, but due to my Canada trip, you'll be getting the fantasy preview a week early. The Brickyard 400 (yes, I will not call it by its ridiculously long title this year) is one of the most prestigious races of the year, only being topped by the Daytona 500. Only the best win here (except for Paul Menard last year who used fuel strategy to get his first career win) so it's typically a little easier to pick your team for this race. Let's delve into the stats.

Fantasy Preview: Indianapolis

The Favorites:

Jeff Gordon: His luck is finally starting to turn around it seems and Indy is the perfect place for Gordon to capitalize and get that first 2012 win. Gordon is a four-time Brickyard 400 winner, including winning the inaugural race here in 1994, as well as last year's runner-up after having the fastest car all day. In 18 career Indy races, Gordon has 14 top-10's and 10 top-5's along with his four wins. Oh yeah, that makes his average finish 9.1 at the track.

Jimmie Johnson: Indy has always been feast or famine for Johnson, but when he's on, he's on. Johnson has three wins here in 2006, 2008, and 2009, but has six finishes of 18th or worse in ten career races here. Still, normally that isn't his fault and you know Johnson can win any given week.

Tony Stewart: This is Stewart's hometown track and he's always sure to please the fans when he comes home. Stewart has only finished worse than 12th twice in 13 career races there, making his average finish 8.1 at Indy, the only person better than Gordon finish wise. He has two wins as well.

The Darkhorses:

Juan Pablo Montoya: If it weren't for stupid pit calls, Montoya would be a two-time Brickyard winner. Because of those calls though, Montoya only has one top-10 in five career Indy races, a 2nd in his first start. Qualifying at Indy is always important and Montoya has never started worse than 13th. He'll give you your money's worth.

Greg Biffle: He's quietly good at Indy. He's never really been a contender for the win, but he's finished in the top-10 the last four years at Indy and just consistently keeps himself at the front. Nothing more needs to be said.

Matt Kenseth: Kenseth, like his teammate Biffle, is sneakily good at Indy. 7 top-10's and 5 top-5's is solid and even though he doesn't have a win, that could easily change this year. 

Stay Away From:

Jeff Burton: Burton has participated in the same number of races as Gordon at Indy with not nearly the same success. He only has one top-5 in 18 races and only five top-10's. Hard to believe for a guy like Burton who's had all the time in the world to figure this place out.

Ryan Newman: He's and Indiana boy, but he sure can't run well in his home state. He only has one top-10 in 11 races, a 4th in his second career race at Indy. He never finishes terrible, but he's only ever mid-pack and that won't get it done.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: He just truly has never run well at Indy. In 12 career races, he only has two top-10's and none since 2006. He might do better this year considering how well he's run this year, but it's just tough to say.

Good luck picking!