The Pit Stop is the essential guide to setting your Fantasy Racing lineup for the upcoming week. We provide you with pertinent news and roster management advice during every race week. He is mostly hated by fans on the NASCAR circuit, but love him or hate him, Kyle Busch can drive with the best of them. Once again Kyle proved that in Saturday night's race at Daytona.
Kyle fell back in the field because of a steering problem, but made his up in contention and to an exciting finish racing Carl Edwards side-by-side with a little over lap to go. A multicar accident ensued behind them to bring out the caution and the field was frozen before Kyle was given the win by about a nose of a car. He scored his sixth Sprint Cup win and has 12 checkered flags to show for spanning all three top series in NASCAR.
Although because of his points lead, Kyle Busch is the highest priced driver, it's hard not at least consider him for Fantasy lineups with all the good results he comes up with just about every week.
Moving from Daytona to Chicago, a quick look at past results indicate that the Richard Childress Racing team has a good history at Chicagoland Speedway. Namely Kevin Harvick, who has won the first two races in 2001-02 and also has placed fourth the last two seasons.
Tony Stewart is another driver with impressive statistics at this track. Stewart, despite being winless this year, has to be among the contenders when it comes to Chicago. With two wins, a second, a third and fifth, how can you not?
Because of the track dimensions and layout, others to analyze perhaps because of results at similar speedways include the likes of Edwards and possibly Kasey Kahne, although Kahne does not have particularly good results here. With the exception of last year (37th), Jimmie Johnson also has showed he has figured out this track pretty well, with every other finish being in the top six.
Driver Stockwatch
Here's a list of drivers expected to produce better or worse than their salaries indicate on the coming track. Prices are derived from the
CBS Sports.com Fantasy Racing Challenge:Best value
Kyle Busch, $298,055: As stated, even though Kyle is expensive, one has to at least consider including him in Fantasy lineups. He's too good right now not to pick him. In his three Chicago races, Kyle averages a finish of 10th, with third being his best showing in 2006. He is hot and rolling and if you can maneuver your lineup with his big price, then go for it.
Jimmie Johnson, $247,083: Scratch last year's 37th place finish due to a crash and Johnson is almost certain to produce a top 10 finish in Chicago. Even though he was 37th, Johnson led five times for 82 laps last season. He has finished second, third (twice), fourth and sixth.
Jeff Gordon, $237,361: Winner in Chicago two years ago and has also finished second and fourth (two times). Gordon was ninth last year and averages a finish of 10th in seven starts at Chicagoland.
Matt Kenseth, $225,833: Also good for an average finish of 10th in his career at Chicago by way of two runner-up finishes, a seventh, 12th (twice), 14th and 22nd. One of the second-place finishes was recorded last year.
Kurt Busch, $196,388: Another driver who is pretty consistent with results in Chicago. He has finished eighth in three of his seven starts at the track, and was sixth twice. It should be mentioned that he also placed 35th and 39th in 2003-04.
Clint Bowyer, $224,861: Both of his starts he finished in the top 10. Bowyer rounded out the top 10 last year and was ninth the previous season. With consistent results like that, Bowyer should be given a close look for Fantasy lineups this week.
Tony Stewart, $222,916: The defending champion at Chicagoland and also a winner in 2004. Stewart has been very good here, also finishing second, third and fifth for an average finish of 11th in his career at this speedway.
Kevin Harvick, $222,638: Solid all-around in his starts at Chicago. His lowest finish was a 19th in 2005. His best, a winner in the first two races held at the track. Harvick has finished fourth in the last two visits to Chicagoland. Give him a shot this week, it's a track he likes and performs well at.
Reed Sorenson, $134,705: Possibly the driver with the best value for this week, meaning he has finished seventh and 12th in his two starts here for a good average finish of 9.5. The point is, if he did it twice already, he can do it again.
Overpriced value
Kasey Kahne, $227,361: Although he has won at tracks similar to Chicagoland, Kahne has not been able to show that this is one speedway at which he can compete strongly. His four results prove that as he has finished 36th, 41st, 23rd and 32nd in order since 2004. At this value, it might be a good idea to select another driver this week.
Jamie McMurray, $164,305: While his first race five years ago was an eighth-place finish, McMurray has not made it back to a top 10 finish since. Even worst, the last two years he has placed 38th and 39th.
Elliott Sadler, $156,527: A ninth-place finish in 2003 at Chicago does not compensate for otherwise poor results in this race. Sadler has not been able to break back into the top 10, going 21st, 37th, 29th and 33rd in order since. Take the money and use it for a different driver this time.
Martin Truex Jr., $210,694: He has just two starts in Chicago and neither was too impressive. A 16th in his first race and 39th last season. Consider his price a little expensive for this event and look for better options.
Bobby Labonte, $179,027: Not an event Labonte has enjoyed very good results at. In seven starts, his best finish was 12th and worst 39th. He averages a 22.3 finish in the seven races.
Michael Waltrip, $134,444: Finishes of 30th, 30th and 36th in the last three years says plenty about Waltrip's possibility at this track. Sure, he has posted a couple of top 10s in the past, but that was a few years ago when he was able to compete pretty hard. It seems those times are past him.
| T H E P I T S T O P S T A R T I N G F I V E |
| Beat the Expert! Staying within the $1,000,000 parameters set in the 2008 CBS Sports.com Fantasy Racing Challenge, here are the picks for this week's best lineup for the money: |
| Driver | 2007 Chicago finish | Salary |
| Tony Stewart (No. 20, Toyota) | 1st | $222,916 |
| Matt Kenseth (No. 17, Ford) | 2nd | $225,833 |
| Brian Vickers (No. 83, Toyota) | N/A | $207,361 |
| Kurt Busch (No. 2, Dodge) | 6th | $196,388 |
| Reed Sorenson (No. 41, Dodge) | 12th | $134,705 |
| Total salaries | $987,203 |
Next race: Brickyard 400 -- Indianapolis Motor Speedway -- July 27
