Fantasy Preview: Bristol

And here we are! One of the most anticipated races of the year is upon us as the Sprint Cup Series arrives in Thunder Valley this weekend, a.k.a. the Bristol Motor Speedway! This race is actually more anticipated than usual because this short track got a repave!....I mean a de-pave? Yes, this track was repaved back in 2007 and progressive banking was added to the track which allows for racing in the low, middle, and high grooves in the turns. Well, fans weren't too happy about that because it eliminated the old bumping and banging that occurred because only the bottom lane was usable. Bristol listened to the fans though and after the spring race here, they ground down about 8 feet of the top groove which is supposed to eliminate some of the progressive banking and hopefully making the racing more aggressive again. So, because of this there are some unknown variables, but for the most part there are a few guys you need to focus on who always run well there.

Fantasy Preview: Bristol

The Favorites:

Kyle Busch: Not since three-time champion Darrell Waltrip raced this joint has anyone dominated like he did. Ever since Kyle touched this track he's been tearing it up with 5 wins, 7 top-5's and 10 top-10's. No one else currently racing can compare with him and it should stay that way regardless of the new track surface.

Brad Keselowski: His first three starts here were mediocre at best. Then came the last two races here. Keselowski won both of them, the second one (2012 spring race here) in dominating fashion. I expect the trend to keep going this weekend.

Matt Kenseth: For a period back in the mid-2000's no one could touch him at this track. That time yielded two wins which he has yet to build on, but it's still impressive. Overall, he has 10 top-5's and 17 top-10's at this track and it's hard to go against those numbers.

The Darkhorses:

Marcos Ambrose: Not only is he coming off three straight top-10's (including the win at the Glen), but Bristol is one of his most consistently good tracks. He recorded top-10's here in his first two starts and if he's not caught up in a wreck, you're sure to see him at least in the top-15 all race long.

Carl Edwards: Normally, he'd be in the favorites category, but I just can't put him there with the mediocre season he's had. He still has the potential to run very well at Bristol though, where he's captured two wins and 7 top-10's over his career. He's worth the money this week.

Aric Almirola: This is secretly a great track for him. When he's in competitive equipment, which he is this year, he hasn't finished outside of the top-20 here. And not to mention, this is the track where he got his first career Sprint Cup top-10 finish back in 2008, so you know he enjoys this track.

Stay Away From:

Joey Logano: He just hasn't found a lick of success here whatsoever. He doesn't have a top-10 finish to his name at this track and I'm sure with his uncertainty about his contract situation for next year, he won't get that first top-10 here this weekend.

Sam Hornish Jr.: He's been a popular pick the last few weeks and he's a very cheap buy. But this just isn't gonna be his week barring a big turnaround. Hornish only has a career best finish of a measly 25th here which is nothing to smile about. I don't think that'll turnaround this weekend either.

Tony Stewart: He's on a bit of a slide the last few races and Bristol isn't what he was looking to come to next. He has success in the past here, but recent history has seen him be frustrated out of his mind at this track. He and crew chief Steve Addington just can't find the right combination here just yet, having not earned a top-10 here together.

Good luck picking!