TRACK HISTORY: Newman has a great qualifying record at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In his six career starts at the track, his average qualifying position is seventh. His finishes haven't been as good, though. His average career finish is just 20.1 with two consecutive DNFs in 2003 and 2004. FANTASY TIP: Newman suffered some issues right away at Phoenix International Raceway. He ended the day way back in 34th place. That finish was his 11th straight race without a top-10 result. You may wish to look to Newman for his qualifying results, but it might be better to rely on someone else for finishes at Miami. Newman has been struggling and may continue to do so in Miami.
KASEY KAHNE
TRACK HISTORY: Kahne's average finish in four career starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway is 20.5. He is an excellent qualifier but hasn't made the breakthrough to a strong finishing record. His best finish at the track was fourth in the 2006 Ford 400, where he was also the fastest qualifier. FANTASY TIP: The past four races have been much the same as the rest of Kahne's 2008 season, a rough ride. He followed his second-place finish in the Bank of America 500 with four races outside of the top 10 and an average finish of 25.8. While Kahne has the speed and ability to run at the front of the pack, he hasn't been able to do it with much consistency. There are more steady choices for the Ford 400.
KURT BUSCH
TRACK HISTORY: Busch's last five races at Homestead-Miami Speedway have been erratic. His average finish in that time is 17.4, but he had three top-five results in there. The poor results just dragged down the average. He won the 2002 Ford 400 but then also had a DNF in the 2006 Ford 400. FANTASY TIP: Busch came alive at Phoenix International Speedway. He finished second, and his team has been improving week by week. That result was his fifth top-five of the season and second in the last five races. Busch has been improving as the season is coming to close and he could be strong again in Miami. He isn't the safest selection, but his stock is rising.
DENNY HAMLIN
TRACK HISTORY: Hamlin finished third in the last two Ford 400s. His only other result at Homestead-Miami Speedway was 33rd in the 2005 edition of the same race. He is quick at the Florida track even though he is a horrible qualifier. His average start is 35.7, and his best ever start was 32nd in last year's Ford 400. FANTASY TIP: After struggling midseason it looks like Hamlin is back in town. He picked up three top-five finishes in the last four races. Those results are a definite turnaround from where Hamlin was running earlier, struggling to get into the top 10 consistently. If he continues on this pace he will move into the winter break with momentum and a head start on 2009. Look for Hamlin to run near the top five in the Ford 400.
CARL EDWARDS
TRACK HISTORY: In four career starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway Edwards' average finish is 7.8. He qualified on pole in the 2005 Ford 400 and hasn't finished outside of the top 10 at the track since then. Edwards has been good at closing the season strongly, and his Homestead results are evidence of that. FANTASY TIP: Most drivers wouldn't complain about having an average finish of 2.3 in the last four races, but that average probably isn't enough to allow Edwards to hoist the Cup. He won two of the last four races and picked up top-fives in the others. He has an excellent Miami record, and all that he can do this weekend is shoot to win the race. Edwards is a very solid choice in the Ford 400.
CLINT BOWYER
TRACK HISTORY: Bowyer's average finish in two Homestead-Miami Speedway starts is 24.5. In his first race there he picked up a top-10 finish but finished 39th in last season's Ford 400. His average qualifying position at the track is 14.5, but outside of the lone poor result, he is pretty fast in Miami. FANTASY TIP: Bowyer's Chase thus far has been spotty, but not terrible. His average Chase finish in 2008 is 10.4. His results at Homestead are spotty as well, but he does have a top-10. If all goes well he should be in store for a run near the top 10 if not in it. He'll be looking to end the season solidly, and Bowyer should be a fairly safe fantasy choice this weekend for the Ford 400.
TRACK HISTORY: Homestead-Miami Speedway is a good track for Gordon. His average finish in the last five races at the track is 9.0. In his nine starts at the track his average finish is 10.6. A record of four top-fives and seven top-10s in nine starts is nothing to sneeze at. FANTASY TIP: Gordon endured a dismal day at Phoenix International Raceway with a struggling engine that eventually let go. It is tough to blame an engine failure on Gordon, and his average finish in the Chase up to that point was 10.8. His performances at Homestead have been good, and he'll be looking to end the season on a high note. Gordon could be a solid selection.
TRACK HISTORY: Labonte won the 2003 Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Unfortunately, since that win, his average Miami finish is 27.5. His five starts up to and including that win produced an average finish of 8.8. Obviously there has been a tremendous drop-off in Labonte's results in Miami. FANTASY TIP: Labonte finished 19th in the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 last weekend, which was a good result compared with some of his other recent finishes. Unfortunately, Labonte just hasn't been consistently finishing in the top 20. That fact coupled with his results at Miami since 2003 make him a very risky choice in the Ford 400.
