Check out my Sprint Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway Preview and Fantasy Picks.  Watch the Duck Commander 500, April 11th at 7:30 pm ET on FOX.

Contenders

Jimmie Johnson – The winner of the fall race in 2014, Jimmie Johnson is someone interesting to watch Saturday night as he and Chad Knaus had issues with each other at Martinsville. I still believe this team is strong and will have my eye on the No. 48 throughout the race.

Kurt Busch – The pole sitter, is a guy I keep picking because I believe he will pull off a race victory soon. Busch has a fast car and will be a strong contender, but I’m not sure if he’ll be able to hold off the Hendrick Motorsports drivers. Expect a fine outing from the ‘Outlaw,’ at Texas.

Other potential contenders Sunday: Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski 

Dark Horse(s)

David Ragan –  Although he’s starting 30^th I believe David Ragan has a good long-run car as you could tell from his lap averages through practice on Friday. If this race stays green for a long time especially at the end, look for a good finish from the No.18 of Joe Gibbs Racing.

Casey Mears – I’m not saying he can win Saturday night, but he is someone I expect to see run in the top-ten, because of how fast he has been this weekend in practice.

Other potential dark horses Sunday: Austin Dillon, Jamie McMurray 

Race Winner

Kasey Kahne – I am going to bold here and pick Kahne over some of the other Hendrick Motorsports favorites. Kahne has been very fast all weekend which includes a second in the first practice and as fastest in the last practice on Friday. Kahne also starts fourth, putting him up front early. Keeping his momentum up through the race will give him a chance to punch his ticket into the 2015 Chase. Although Kahne has one win in 2014, he is able to win anywhere, if he has the right setup for his car, giving him the confidence he needs. He won this race in 2006. 

Fantasy Lineups

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

Fox Sports 

 NASCAR.com 

Yahoo

Fantasy Auto Racing