NASCAR Fantasy Fusion: Darlington

Track Classification: Intermediate

Similar Tracks: Atlanta Motor Speedway • Charlotte Motor Speedway • Chicagoland Speedway  Homestead-Miami Speedway • Kansas Speedway •  Kentucky Speedway 

Las Vegas Motor Speedway • New Hampshire Motor Speedway • Texas Motor Speedway

Distance: 1.366 miles

Drivers with Most Top 10s (Last 5 Years):

By Race

Denny Hamlin - 4

All with 3 - Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth 

By Track

All with 3 - Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Newman

Recent Pole Winners:  

2012 Greg Biffle

2011 Kasey Kahne

The Likely Suspects: Racing at Darlington is challenging, and well known for its beating and banging, which drivers affectionately refer to as "rubbin'." By the race's end more than a handful of drivers will have earned their "Darlington stripes." More than anything else, racing at Darlington is about racing the track first, and then the other drivers. Drivers who have mastered this track include: Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth.

My 2 Cents: Blindly picking a Hendrick Motorsports driver this week is not a bad strategy. The Hendrick's organization has won 14 races at Darlington, more than any other team. My no-brainer pick this week is a tie: Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. Both run well at Darlington, and should perform well. My sentimental pick is Denny Hamlin, who will be back in the No. 11 for the whole race, and is no slouch when it comes to Darlington.  

My next picks are: Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. I will complete my team with last week's winner David Ragan and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Post your comments here or email me at ssfantasyracing@skirtsandscuffs.com. Enjoy the race!