“The Monster Mile” is the site of this week’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks. Although it is not considered a short track, Dover International Speedway it is in a way, as it is a one-mile race track with pretty high speeds. We should see some great racing on Sunday afternoon, although keep in mind that this tends to be a pretty straightforward race–expect to see similar faces up front. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some sleepers to keep an eye on, though…
Fantasy Sleepers for Dover
Martin Truex, Jr. – Okay, if last week at Charlotte proved anything, it was that this #78 team is the real deal. Truex probably should have been the champion of this year’s Coca-Cola 600, but bad luck once again bit him at the worst possible time. He still ended up with a 5th-place finish at Charlotte, though, which is his eleventh top 10 in the twelve Sprint Cup races ran in 2015. For reference, Truex had five of those results all of last year. Looking at Dover, this is Martin’s home track and the site of his first career victory in NASCAR’s top series (that came back in 2007). He’s finished 7th or better in four of the last six races here at “The Monster Mile” and there will be plenty of eyes on this #78 Chevrolet on Sunday; after almost winning at Charlotte, Truex is probably one of the favorites heading into the FedEx 400 this weekend. In The Showcase, Martin will net 4 handicap points for fantasy owners this weekend, which is pretty good value for how he’s been running this year. If you think Truex can come home with a top 5 finish (or better) on Sunday, there’s no reason not to consider putting him on your rosters.
Ryan Newman – Okay, you might be wondering how Ryan Newman got onto this “sleeper” list, but my definition of a sleeper includes drivers that don’t run very well at a track but could get a top 10 finish or better. Ryan Newman fits the criteria. “The Rocketman” has finished 8th in each of the last two fall races here at “The Monster Mile” but those are his only finishes better than 15th at this track since the start of the 2011 season–eight races in total. He’s a three-time winner at Dover but that magic is gone from Newman ever since he left Penske way back in 2009. In fact, he has yet to post a top 5 finish here at Dover since, which has been twelve races in total. He finished inside the top 5 in six of his fourteen starts here with Penske. Newman has been the definition of consistent thus far in 2015, posting a result of 12th or better in all but two of the first twelve races this year. It’s nice to roll with consistency in fantasy racing from time to time. Newman will receive 6 handicap points in The Showcase this weekend, which is a very good value for fantasy owners considering an 11th-place finish will net you top 5 points. Keep an eye on that #31 Chevrolet this weekend.
Paul Menard – This guy just keeps rattling off top 15 after top 15. Those results probably aren’t going to win you any fantasy championships, but picking Menard at the right time–meaning when he ends up with a top 5–will help you get ahead of your competition. Am I saying that Paul is going to run top 5 here at Dover on Sunday? No, but a top 10 isn’t out of the question. Menard has been pretty solid at this track over the years and hasn’t ended up worse than 22nd at Dover since the 2011 season. He finished 10th in this event one year ago and with the way this #27 team is running lately, I don’t think it’s out of this world to think he can do it again. Menard finished 11th at Bristol earlier this year and has ended up 15th or better in four of the last five Sprint Cup events. The exception? His 18th-place run at Kansas. In The Showcase, Paul will net fantasy owners 7 handicap points on Sunday, which gives you a little cushion if you plan on putting him on your roster. If he can manage to qualify up front, I’d give Menard even more consideration this weekend.
