The Favorites

Dale Earnhardt Jr – even with starting last in Thursday nights dual race, Earnhardt Jr. was able to make his way through the pack and beat out Matt Kenseth for the win. Sunday he finally gets the decent starting spot and could be a force.

Matt Kenseth – Kenseth has shown his number 20 is bad fast throughout Speed Weeks. He may have the best car that can lead if he can get to the front although starts 35^th Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson – It was scary how Jimmie was able to hold off three very fast Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota’s and lead almost the entire second duel. Having three Hendrick drivers starting one two and three ensures he will have help at the beginning of the race to stay up there.

Dark Horse Picks

Martin Truex Jr– Martin has looked great in both the Sprint Unlimited and dual race Thursday night. For most of both races he was able to stay in that top-five to ten range, while also leading 29 laps last Saturday night.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr– has a very fast car and was up near the front in the second dual race last night before being shuffled back. He is a long shot don’t get me wrong, but is a guy I can see getting to the front if there the “Big One” knocks out some of the favorites.

Who Wins?

Dale Earnhardt Jr– For one very simple reason, his car has shown the ability to get through traffic and lead. Caught in traffic in the Sprint Unlimited, Jimmie Johnson was not able to make a serious push for the lead like Dale Jr was who started last. Kenseth might have the best lead car but also shown signs of struggle in traffic and he starts 35^th Sunday. If Earnhardt avoids trouble in the race, it’s going to take competitor cars collaborating to beat him in the closing laps.

Fantasy Lineups

Although these picks are not etched in stone here is what I have for each fantasy racing website.

Fox Sports

NASCAR.com

Choosing Jimmie just for a simple hedge

Yahoo

Fantasy Auto Racing

*NOTE: Kyle Busch is not running the Daytona 500 because of a leg injury in the XFINITY Series on Saturday, February 21st.