Fantasy Racing Teams

For the 2009 season, NASCAR.COM's Editorial staff members drafted drivers for their team. The teams' point total comes from the points each driver accumulates during the Sprint Cup Series races.

The draft order was drawn from a hat, then the serpentine draft began -- Nos. 1-9 for Round 1, Nos. 9-1 for Round 2 and Nos. 1-9 for Round 3. In the end, 27 drivers were chosen (some more readily than others).

The drivers are locked into one-year contracts; no driver can be replaced on the fantasy team unless he is bounced from his real world ride. In that case, the team owner has two options:
• accept the driver's replacement (if not already on another team)
• sign a driver from the free-agent pool (yeah, good luck with that ...)

Otherwise, it's run what you brung. See you in Victory Lane!

Each staff member also had the opportunity to weigh in on their draft strategy as well as which teams they believe is the strongest and weakest in the league ...

Mark Aumann | Winless Wonders
(Yep, not a single victory from my drivers in '08.)

Based on 2008, the top three drivers were significantly better than the rest of the talent pool. So picking fourth, I knew Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch would be off the board. I went with Jeff Gordon, mainly because I thought his winless '08 was an aberration, and because he still chalked up 13 top-five finishes in an "off year."

The second pick was a tossup between David Ragan and Kasey Kahne. Ragan has the potential to break out in '09, while I'm still concerned about how the Dodges will do.

And while guys like Casey Mears and Bobby Labonte were still on the board, David Reutimann has shown the potential to put together consistently good runs and has had horrible luck, so I took a flyer on him.

Obviously, Duane Cross must have influenced the draft order in some way to get the No. 1 selection. I guess that's one of the perks of management. Jimmie Johnson is a three-time champ, Brian Vickers is due and Kurt Busch is a solid No. 3.

I don't see all the hate for Joe Menzer's team. Quite frankly, switching to Chevy might be just the thing Juan Montoya needs and Joey Logano is a rookie, but with veteran crew chief Greg Zipadelli mentoring him. For picking last, Dave Rodman's trio of Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and David Stremme isn't bad, either.

On the flip side, Jarrod Breeze's team is all about "ifs." If Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman find success at a new operation, and Scott Speed makes the leap from open-wheel to Sprint Cup, he'll look like a genius. But having all three things go right at the same time? That's iffy at best.

Mark Martin's been impressive in part-time employment the last two seasons -- and he does have Hendrick support -- but Bill Kimm may be taking a big chance on a guy who just turned 50. Plus, this is really put-up-or-shut-up time for Casey Mears as he moves over to Childress.

• • •

Jarrod Breeze | Hong Kong Long Duk Dong Phooeys

Disregard the Haas in Stewart-Haas Racing. This isn't Gene's team anymore. This team is all Tony Stewart's and it will reflect his competitive fire right from the chute(out). SHR begins on solid ground both financially (secured sponsorship) and technically (alliance with Hendrick Motorsports).

Ryan Newman will enjoy a rebirth after escaping the drudgery that is Dodge and will return to his 2002-05 levels when he won 12 races and finished in the top seven in points every year.

And Scott Speed ... well, at least he's yet to prove he can't cut it, like many others in the third round picked before and after.

For any team to be the best, it has to have among its roster Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards or Kyle Busch. No team has a reliable third driver, therefore I will discount all Round 3 selections.

Since that eliminates the Dodge equation and Kurt Busch from Duane Cross' team, I give the nod to Johnson/Brian Vickers over David Caraviello's 1-2 punch of Busch/Kasey Kahne.

Joe Menzer's team boasts Edwards, and Joey Logano was the best third-round pick of the bunch. But second pick Juan Montoya was the worst in that round.

But the worst team goes to Bill Kimm for the enigmatic Greg Biffle (which Biff will show up in 2009?) and Mark Martin (hey, he's back, although he never really left). And while all third-rounders were pretty much throwaways, Casey Mears is the worst pick in the draft.

Dishonorable mention: Raygan Swan. Something always goes wrong for first-rounder Dale Earnhardt Jr.

• • •

David Caraviello | Mustard-Based Motorsports

Here at Mustard-Based Motorsports we strive for excellence, and like organizations such as Hendrick Motorsports and Roush Fenway Racing, our goal on a yearly basis is to win races and championships.

That said, drafting from the No. 3 spot, our top choice all along was the young, strong-willed, and fearless Kyle Busch, who last season won eight races and led the points for 17 weeks. We were able to sign him with assurances that all our heim joints are triple-checked for reliability.

A strong second-round pickup was Kasey Kahne, one of just six drivers to win multiple times in 2008. Jamie McMurray, who finished last year with four consecutive top-seven finishes, was a steal in the third.

None other than draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. called MBM "a rock of drafting savvy in a mindless sea of panicky, ill-thought-out choices." That's why, when assessing the favorite for the 2009 NASCAR fantasy championship, our choice to win it all is -- well, of course, us.

Dave Rodman picked shrewdly in the turnaround, snagging the Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin combo. Duane Cross may be a factor, because anyone with Jimmie Johnson has the chance of doing damage. But we're also curious as to how the person organizing the draft winds up with a seemingly "random" No. 1 pick. Orrin Hatch has promised to look into it. We'll see you on Capitol Hill, Cross.

As for the others -- well, they're a sad bunch. Fatigue from signing so many copies of The Great American Gamble is the only explanation for Joe Menzer's choices of Juan Montoya and the unproven Joey Logano.

Back-to-back picks of David Reutimann (by Mark Aumann) and Scott Speed (by Jarrod Breeze), when there were more established, major-team drivers still on the board, made us reach for the Aleve. To paraphrase Kiper, these guys had no idea what this draft was all about.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go clear some space on a bookshelf for the first Ryan Smithson Trophy. Because winning at fantasy racing? It's just what I do.

• • •

Duane Cross | Full Moon 'Shiners

Contrary to popular belief, having the first pick in a serpentine draft is not what you want. Sure, theoretically you get the cream of the crop with the first pick, but it's a long time before your next choice.

However, having Jimmie Johnson at your lead dog is never a bad thing. The 48 team is consistent -- and that pays off both in points and, at the end of the season, in championships. Caraviello, I'll let you have your photo taken with the inaugural Smithson hardware -- just get in line like everyone else.

While the guys lower in the draft were able to double-up on 2008 Chase drivers, I was pleasantly surprised to have Brian Vickers available at No. 18. Jay Frye and the Red Bull stable will break through this season -- and my team will reap the benefits.

Of course the Vickers-Kurt Busch combo picks were made possible by Joe Menzer's decision to take Juan Montoya; Joe, two road-course races aren't the difference-makers. Leaving Busch on the table will prove to be a boon to the 'Shiners.

If there's any question as to which team will mop the floor this year, stop reading now. You've reached the end of the rainbow: The 'Shiners will reign supreme after Johnson, Vickers and Busch make the Chase and lay waste to the field down the stretch.

Can another team challenge? C'mon -- look at these humps; the only thing standing between me and the championship is opportunity (and you know Johnson and Busch know how to take advantage of that; Vickers, he's ready to make the leap).

However, the teams that drafted Nos. 6-9 -- Josh Pate, Raygan Swan, Bill Kimm and Dave Rodman -- may give us a run for our money ... for a while. In the end, they will be just like everyone else: waiting on next year.

Without question the worst team is Menzer's, and I feel bad about that, seeing as how he wrote some really nice things about me in his new book. Hey, nothing personal; fantasy racing is serious business, Joe.

The choice of Juan Montoya changed the entire landscape of the season. Opening the door for Vickers and Busch to join the 'Shiners ... well, next time we're out drinks are on me.

• • •

Bill Kimm | Billy's B Flats

Having the eighth pick in the draft was both a blessing and a curse. Yes, you get the opportunity to pick two 2008 Chase drivers, but these drivers are toss-ups -- there's no guarantee they will repeat last season's success (see: Martin Truex Jr.).

My dilemma on draft day was to figure out who would be up top again. With four Chasers left, I decided Greg Biffle was who I wanted anchoring my team. The Biff has won at least two races in four of the last five seasons and most important in fantasy racing -- he finishes up front. Biff has 72 top-10s in the Chase era ... comfortably among the top-10 drivers in the Cup Series.

With my second pick I took a chance with the ageless Mark Martin. David Ragan was calling my name, but I didn't want two Roush guys so I'm rolling the dice with Martin. Another driver who finishes up front consistently -- put him in Hendrick gear and those numbers should improve.

Finally, with the third pick, I went with the man Martin bumped for Hendrick, Casey Mears -- the best of the remaining guys I had to choose from, and I'm OK with that. It's sink-or-swim time for Mears -- no more excuses now that he is at RCR in a proven car; and I look forward to reaping the benefits.

At first glance I wanted to say Josh Pate had the best team. Jeff Burton and Matt Kenseth are consistently in the top 10 each week which means tons of points -- but wins are what that duo lacks.

So while it depresses me thoroughly, I had to go with the boss, Duane Cross, as the best team. Jimmie Johnson is the man and will win at least seven races; Brian Vickers was a steal at No. 18; and turning around and grabbing former champion Kurt Busch in Round 3 will probably put Cross over the top. Some will say this is a "kiss the boss' butt pick" but believe me, I would love to see him struggle mightily. Listening to him day-after-day is not something I look forward to if my premonition comes to fruition.

There is one team that you look at and just have to ask: "What the heck was he thinking?" Yes, Menzer completely threw up all over himself by selecting Juan Montoya and Joey Logano after grabbing Carl Edwards, but at least he has Edwards who will give him plenty of wins and a possible champion.

But Jarrod Breeze -- are you freaking serious? Smoke and Newman I really hope succeed, but the reality is it probably won't come until 2010. And then there is Scott Speed. Scott Speed!? He will be lucky to have five top-10 finishes all season ... what a waste of a pick. So Jarrod goes with a new team as two of his picks and a new driver as the third. I think JB has shown why we should never listen to a fan of the Bengals the Reds and the University of Kentucky in anything!

• • •

Joe Menzer | Menz Men

All I can say about this fantasy draft is that I cannot wait to prove Super Dave Rodman wrong and make his team eat my guys' asphalt on the race track. I hear he has a problem with my second- and third-round picks of Juan Montoya and Joey Logano.

Well, let me tell you that my pre-draft research -- which consisted of thinking of whomever came to mind after getting a call from our boss as I drove home from an interview with Ray Evernham -- supports those creative draft decisions. Montoya will shine in a Chevrolet, greatly benefiting from finally having a teammate in Martin Truex Jr. that he will be able to work with.

Logano probably will struggle early, but by the middle to latter part of the season, with crew chief Greg Zipadelli in his ear, he'll be contending for wins and will capture at least one.

I have to admit that there are a couple of other teams that mildly concern me and probably will contend with mine for this championship, although Rodman's is not one of them. David Caraviello's trio of Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray is one to watch.

(I would have considered McMurray, who admittedly finished last season strong, for my third-round pick if I had thought of it and hadn't been so focused on safely negotiating my Dodge mini-van down Interstate-77 outside of Charlotte).

Mark Aumann will be strong with a resurgent Jeff Gordon, the up-and-coming David Ragan and the underrated David Reutimann. And Raygan Swan will rack up consistent quality points days with her group of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer and the aforementioned and likely improved Truex Jr. Frankly, the rest of the NASCAR.COM Fantasy teams don't scare me much.

And the worst team? Well, he'll blame it on having the ninth pick in the draft and claim it was fixed -- but Super Dave's selections were not so super and will leave him bringing up the rear in this field.

Kevin Harvick is solid and Denny Hamlin might be. Both made the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship last year, but that doesn't mean both will this season. I say one will be on the outside looking in this time around.

And David Stremme? Nice guy and all, but you took David Stremme, dude -- and you're giving me a hard time about taking Logano? Puh-leaze! See you next time my team laps yours in this fierce competition.

• • •

Josh Pate | Hudson Hood Ornaments

I felt like I was in the War Room with Jerry Jones and his bug eyes staring down the back of my neck as I waited for the e-mails to come. Picks 1-3 ... yawn.

At Hudson, we went safe with Mr. Top-Five, Jeff Burton, despite the most popular driver being on the board. This ain't a beauty pageant.

Seven picks later with a past champion and Chaser staring at me, Matt Kenseth was the obvious pick (although I contemplated David Ragan for the upside).

After Duane Cross and (skip Joe Menzer's brain lapse) David Caraviello took the goods in Round 3, I freely admit I wanted Scott Speed. Jarrod Breeze beat me to him (and took the criticisms that followed), so I chose old-schooler Bobby Labonte. Weak pick? Then look who went after him.

Duane Cross and David Caraviello clearly have the top two teams, although I give the nod to Caraviello. Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne are going to win races, and Jamie McMurray was on the verge as 2008 closed.

But for Cross, Vickers' team isn't a gimme in Victory Lane, and neither is Kurt Busch for that matter (remember, his victory last year was due to a rainout). Edge: Caraviello.

We hammered Dave Rodman for claiming a blind draw for the draft was "unfair." Huh? Then Jarrod Breeze got blasted for picking Speed.

But the start-and-park in this pony race is Joe Menzer. Juan Montoya? With the 17th pick? Above two former Cup champions? Menzer cast an absentee ballot for his final two picks (he claims he was driving), and it shows. Joey Logano may have been money in the Nationwide Series, but, well, this ain't the Nationwide Series.

And yes, Montoya is driving a Chevrolet now. But the horses in that stable left when Junior did.

• • •

Dave Rodman | Road Warriors

On the one hand, blind draft draws totally bite and are basically unfair; but the good thing is, on the other hand you can't account for people losing their minds, having a different opinion or being in the can when it's time to make their pick.

Picking ninth wasn't as much of a debit as expected, as two Chase drivers -- the eminently consistent Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin -- were available, providing the best one-two pick on the board, according to my compiled-in-five-minutes pre-draft rating.

In a Penske car, David Stremme might be the surprise of the season; but this team is still probably in a middle of the pack battle.

By a couple cat's whiskers, David Caraviello has the best team in this draft, as he snagged two of the top-12 drivers, Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne, and then cagily went for Jamie McMurray, who ended 2008 on a tear and is reunited with favorite crew chief Donnie Wingo.

With a low-middle round pick, Josh Pate made probably the most efficient choices and has two of the top-10 drivers and three in the top 19; with three solid veterans.

Luck of the draw gave Jimmie Johnson to Duane Cross and Johnson alone gives him inclusion in this group, which is a good thing considering Duane picked his worst guy second (Brian Vickers was 18th on my chart to Kurt Busch's 14th).

Joe Menzer and Jarrod Breeze gave the guys picking at the butt end of this draft a sigh of relief. Joe started immensely with Carl Edwards, but picking Juan Montoya over Kurt Busch, who will double Juan's win total this season, or Vickers, who will threaten to make the Chase, is tough to figure; and Joey Logano will be a pinball.

JB went with a Stewart-Haas duo and although by the end of the season that might be hitting on all 8, the early season deficit will be insurmountable; especially when it's hooked to a rookie season lead weight like Scott Speed, who has limitless potential but who'll get tattooed like a cartoon dog this year.

• • •

Raygan Swan | Three Men and a Lady

I'm certain some of the guys on the staff were crunching numbers, concocting draft boards and bickering back and forth on who to pick for our 2009 Fantasy race teams, but I kept my cool, patiently waited my turn, and picked three men who are proven Chase makers.

In the first round, I was seventh to go and relieved to find Dale Earnhardt Jr. still in the mix so I gladly scooped him up because I'm confident Earnhardt is just getting started at Hendrick Motorsports. His second season with HMS will bring more race wins and better communication amongst the crew with Rick Hendrick's continued advice.

Second, I picked Clint Bowyer -- and then wanted to shoot myself because I forgot about the team change to the No. 33, but he'll be good.

Last, I picked Martin Truex Jr. because he was clearly the strongest of the third round. Scott Speed, Joey Logano? Puh-leaze!

I agree with Dave Rodman when he says David Caraviello has the best looking team in the draft. Even though Kasey Kahne won't make the Chase, he is still likely to win a few races. No question about Kyle Busch's ability and Jamie McMurray hit a streak at the end of last season that put him 16th in the final standings. Also, having Donnie Wingo back on McMurray's pit box can only help things.

You know as a young reporter, I look to Joe Menzer for guidance and advice but I may have to find a new mentor after looking at his draft picks this season. Nothing personal Joe, maybe you're getting free gift cards from Target or something. But maybe Montoya will win you both road course races. Of course I understand Carl but Joey Logano?

I will say title for worst team was almost given to Jarrod Breeze. Scott Speed may be cool, but he ain't that cool!