Here is my Preview and Fantasy Picks for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

Contenders

Jeff Gordon – Has an absolute rocket of a race car this weekend and I do think he will win if he can stay up front and out of trouble.Problem is, I don’t see that happening. 

Brad Keselowski – Both Penske cars are on a roll when it comes to restrictor plate racing. Keselowski won at Talladega in the fall and Logano won the Daytona 500 this year. Just personally have a good feeling about Keselowski this weekend.

Martin Truex Jr – Was my prediction Thursday but after watching his speed this weekend I am not convinced. Still, has a had a great season so far and really looked good at Daytona. I suspect he ends up in the top-ten on Sunday. 

Dark Horse(s)

Landon Cassill – Very underrated plate racer and finish fourth at Talladega in the fall. In all honesty if a driver is in the lead draft at the end of the race they have a good shot to win. David Ragan is proof of that two years ago.

Tony Stewart – Stewart as a dark Horse!? With the season he has had, yes. Stewart is a very talented driver and will be able to turn some heads tomorrow if he stays out of trouble.

Ryan Blaney – Very fast race car this weekend and is another guy under rated  in terms of plate racing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he brought the Wood Brothers to victory lane for the first time since Trevor Bayne won the Daytona 500 in 2011.

Race Winner

Dale Earnhardt Jr.– I think he has one of the better cars and in my opinion is the best active plate racer on the circuit. Earnhardt is able to stay up front and lead a good part of any restrictor plate race which is what makes him special. I think he avoids trouble tomorrow by staying up front and leading, putting himself in position to win this race.

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