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STP 500: NASCAR fantasy picks

By Phil Naegely

Mar 20, 2016; Fontana, CA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) wears a cape to celebrate his win at the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Fontana, CA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) wears a cape to celebrate his win at the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who should you pick to succeed during the STP 500, which is the first short track race of the season, at Martinsville Speedway?

The STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway presents different kinds of challenges than what the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have experienced so far. It’s the first short track race of the season and the results of qualifying will have a major implication in how the drivers do when the white flag waves.

Each week NASCAR fantasy users have the challenge of selecting four drivers per race. Some weeks are easier than others, but who to select for the STP 500 is truly a crap shoot. Below are four drivers who should do well at Martinsville and give you quality points in your NASCAR fantasy leagues.

Joey Lagano

Joey Lagano dominated in STP 500 qualifying on Friday by being the leader after all three qualifying sessions. He won the pole and earned the pivotal front pit road stall. It’s smaller track and pit road is also crowded. As long as he enters pit road as one the top ten drivers, he should be able to win the race off pit road since he holds the closest stall to the exit. If he can get a good lead and the cars who in the back of the pack provide some congestion behind him, Logano will be well on his way to winning at Martinsville.

Brian Vickers

He isn’t even a full-time NASCAR driver this season, but Brian Vickers has done a good job as Tony Stewart‘s replacement to start the 2016 season. Vickers was among the top drivers during qualifying and will start in the second row when the STP 500 begins. In Saturday practice he’s posted multiple sub-20 second laps on the half mile long Martinsville Speedway. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s able to stay in the top five when the final lap ends.

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson didn’t do well during STP 500 on Friday. However, he has a rich history of success at Martinsville Speedway. He’s won the STP 500 three times and has won eight total NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Martinsville. He’s coming off a win at the Auto Club 400 two weeks ago and currently sits second in the chase standings. Due to Johnson’s experience, he will still be a contender on Sunday as he knows his car well and could find his way into yet another top 10, if not top 5, finish this season.

Kasey Kahne

It was a successful qualifying session for Kasey Kahne as he finished second and will start on the front row. A quick start when the race begins will bode well for Kahne as he looks to start lapping cars on the short track and attempt to pass Logano who starts at the pole. Kahne will be a driver to watch as he pursues the coveted grandfather clock, which is given to the winner of each Martinsville Speedway race.

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