Expert picks: Daytona International Speedway

by FOXSports.com

Updated: July 2, 2008, 7:19 PM EST 439 comments

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Owners pick four drivers every event but can only choose a driver four times in a segment.

	Roger Rotter FOXSports.com fantasy senior editor
Dale Earnhardt, Jr:: After disappointing with a 16th in the overall Cup standings last year, Earnhardt has rebounded with his new Hendrick team by residing in third after almost midway through the season. He's had excellent results at Daytona International Speedway, winning twice and recording 10 top-10s and six top-fives in 17 career starts. This includes five top-10s and three top-fives in the last seven July events. He also clinched ninth with his new team in February's race.
Tony Stewart: He's disappointed greatly with only eight top-10s and five top-fives in 17 events as he's looking for a new contract after his expires at the end of 2009. He's had great results at Daytona, though, winning July's race in 2005 and '06. In addition, he's clinched six top-fives in the last nine events, including a third in February.
Clint Bowyer: He's struggled recently, finishing 22nd or worse in five of the past six races. However, he's had some success at Daytona, recording three top-10s in five career races, including seventh last July when he led for 55 laps.
Kurt Busch: He won his first race of the season with last week's victory at New Hampshire. However, Busch has only clinched three top-10s in 17 Cup races this season. Still, Busch has excellent success at Daytona, especially in the July races. He's recorded two straight thirds in July and placed runner-up in February's event.
	Mike Harmon FOXSports.com fantasy contributor
Kyle Busch: Do you want drama for your holiday weekend? Don't think about the prices at the pump or who forgot to bring potato salad? No, the drama involves Montoya and Kyle Busch on the track following last week's excitement. Busch still leads the point standings, but the ultra-efficient Burton now trails him by just 64 points. That's summer drama! Busch is clearly a huge target for fantasy participants this weekend, as he's raced to three top-fives in his past four Daytona starts, including back-to-back second-place finishes in the July events. He's raced inside the top-15 in 73.6 percent of laps run here in his past six starts (helping to avoid nonsense in the back of the pack) while averaging a 12.6-position running slot. If you didn't ride him during his white hot streak earlier this season, you'll receive a huge effort.
Jeff Burton: I'll forego the lengthy analysis and flowery descriptions of Burton's efforts. He's consistent, smart and knows how to avoid the temper tantrums that have beset the rides of his colleagues. Burton's yet to finish worse than 17th in any race this season. Although he's raced to only one top-10 in his past 10 Daytona starts, I'm calling on him to serve as a closer this weekend for fantasy participants. He's finished 16th or better in four straight Daytona rides.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr:: Earnhardt led 29 laps before finishing 24th last week at Loudon, his second run outside of the top-20 in his past five starts. Of course, he's also raced to two top-fives (one win) and a 12th-place finish during this span to retain third position in the Sprint Cup standings. He's excited to return to Daytona, a track he's called home in the past. He's been one of the top drivers here, with 10 top-10s in 17 career starts, including two victories. After two difficult runs in 2007, he started his tenure at Hendrick Motorsports with a strong ninth-place run. I fully expect Junior to make another push toward the top this weekend. He's raced inside the top-15 in two-thirds of the laps run in the past six Daytona events while averaging a 14.9-position running slot.
Tony Stewart: Stewart's experienced his share of rough rides and bad luck in 2008, but he currently sits in the ninth position in the Sprint Cup standings. He owns eight top-10s and 11 top-15 finishes thus far, and is one of the top options this weekend at Daytona. He had two difficult rides here in 2007, but has produced seven top-10s on either side of those tough starts, including two wins and five top-fives. In his past six Daytona starts, he's averaged a 14th-place finish, 12.45-position running slot and has raced inside the top-15 in 70 percent of the laps run. I'm expecting another top-notch effort this weekend.
	Gerrit Ritt FOXSports.com fantasy editor
Jeff Burton: Yeah, that's right, I still have one Jeff Burton play left this period, and I plan on breaking it out for this one at Daytona. At this point, its tough to hold back any of your studs if you still have them available, so look for another one or two from me as we head into this superspeedway.
Casey Mears: He and Hendrick split ways, and he immediately places fifth and seventh in his last two races. He also has been impressive in his most recent runs at Daytona, with four top-10s in his last six trips there (if you include the Budweiser Shootouts). I like him to continue his hot streak.
Matt Kenseth: This guy had six straight top-10s before last week's 18th-place run, so he's obviously a contender no matter where he goes these days. Sure, he hasn't had the best success at Daytona, but I don't care right now. He's the best name left on my board, and I'm gonna throw him out there and let him do his thing.
Clint Bowyer: Man, has this guy struggled recently. However, for the exact opposite reason I chose to take Kenseth, I'm gonna go with Bowyer here because he's put in three top-10 rides in his four trips to Daytona in the past. Maybe this will get him out of his funk. He's still one of the better drivers out there, so I have no major problem with this play.
Sleeper: Elliott Sadler: If there's any lower-tier driver worth a run right now, it's this guy. Sadler's had two back-to-back terrific runs. He got hosed out of a top-five in Sonoma due to a flat tire with under five laps to go, then he blows up for a fifth place in Loudon. He's on a roll, so why not roll the dice?