Fantasy sports articles written by Mark Taylor
May 14, 2013
Sprint Cup All-Star Challenge Preview: Racing Under the Lights
The top contender for this season's All-Star Challenge is the surging Matt Kenseth and his hot No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team.
May 8, 2013
Southern 500 Preview: The Darlington Stripe
Jimmie Johnson rides into this weekend's race as the standings leader by a wide margin - and with the ability to roll the dice for the win at Darlington.
May 1, 2013
Aaron's 499 Preview: Surviving the Big One
Our most recent Talladega winner, Matt Kenseth, comes into Aaron's 499 weekend looking to continue his superspeedway dominance in 2013.
April 24, 2013
Toyota Owners 400 Preview: Racing Perfection
Kyle Busch is the star of Richmond International Raceway where he has dominated in recent years.
April 17, 2013
Weekly Preview: Kansas Speedway -Texas Sequel?
Kyle Busch is on fire coming to the Kansas oval this weekend after conquering Texas in his last start.
April 10, 2013
NRA 500 Preview: Lone Star Battle at Night
Matt Kenseth's success at Fort Worth has been nothing short of amazing, and it's almost mind-boggling that he's only captured two wins at the track in the last 11 years.
April 2, 2013
STP 500 Preview: Short-Track Survival
After a shocking performance at Fontana it will be good for Jimmie Johnson to get back to action on a short track this week.
March 20, 2013
Auto Club 400 Preview: Trends Begin to Form
Matt Kenseth enters the Auto Club 400 looking to regain the momentum that he had two weeks ago when he won at Las Vegas.
March 12, 2013
Food City 500 Preview: World's Fastest Half-Mile
The winner of four of the last eight Bristol races, Kyle Busch enters this week's event as the heavy odds favorite.
March 6, 2013
Kobalt Tools 400 Preview: Viva Las Vegas!
Matt Kenseth should bring a fast car to Las Vegas where he has dominated over the years.
February 27, 2013
Subway Fresh Fit 500 Preview: The Desert Jewel
Kyle Busch was absolutely dominant at the Phoenix oval last season, and this year looks like his time to win.
February 19, 2013
Daytona 500 Preview: The Great American Race
Matt Kenseth is the 2009 and 2012 Daytona 500 winner and a regular solid performer at this historic 2.5-mile superspeedway.
February 12, 2013
Sprint Unlimited Preview: NASCAR's Kickoff to 2013
The event has a new name, but Kyle Busch hopes to replicate last year's success when he won the Bud Shootout.
February 7, 2013
2013 Sprint Cup Series: Gen-6 Car Testing
NASCAR’s new Gen-6 car undoubtedly will have a big impact on driver performance this season. Here's what you should know.
February 6, 2013
2013 Camping World Truck Series: Driver Rankings
Ty Dillon looks to repeat his success on the truck circuit this year after waltzing to Rookie of the Year honors last season.
January 22, 2013
2013 Nationwide Series: Driver Rankings
Joe Gibbs Racing, the most dominant team in the last five years, returns for another year of Nationwide racing.
January 10, 2013
2013 Sprint Cup Driver Rankings: The Circuit's Top Drivers
After consecutive years without a title, can Jimmie Johnson re-claim his Sprint Cup throne in 2013?
January 10, 2013
2013 Top Rookies: Newcomers to Watch
Two-time Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will make his big move into the Sprint Cup Series this season.
January 10, 2013
2013 NASCAR Preview: Changes for the NASCAR Season
Changes abound for 2013, including a new car for the Sprint Cup.
December 31, 2012
2013 Sleepers & Busts: A Look at the Undervalued and the Overvalued
Carl Edwards is coming off a career-worst season, which should make him a cheap fantasy pick this year.
December 31, 2012
2013 Track Specialists: Finding a Fantasy Edge with Specialists
Sharp fantasy owners can take advantage of the Series' diverse tracks, like superspeedways where Matt Kenseth reigns.
December 31, 2012
2013 Sprint Cup Cheatsheet : Driver Projections
This season's projections has a familiar driver in the top-ranked spot.
December 31, 2012
Sprint Cup Loop Stats: Final 2012 Results
Brad Keselowski won last year's Sprint Cup title with a consistent run through the loops stats.
November 14, 2012
Ford EcoBoost 400 Preview: Championship Weekend
Jimmie Johnson is 20 points behind leader Brad Keselowski entering the season finale at Miami.
November 8, 2012
AdvoCare 500 Preview: Prelude to the Championship
Thanks to consecutive victories at Martinsville and Texas, Jimmie Johnson heads to Phoenix this weekend with a seven-point lead in the championship chase ahead of Brad Keselowski.
November 1, 2012
Texas 500 Preview: Homestretch to the Title
Jimmie Johnson's the title hopes are in great shape but in real danger coming to Texas.
October 25, 2012
Fast Relief 500 Preview: Hamlin’s Home Turf
Denny Hamlin has to have a big performance at the Virginia short track this weekend if he hopes to challenge for the championship.
October 18, 2012
Hollywood Casino 400 Preview: Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Denny Hamlin has found considerable success at Kansas Speedway recently, and he is set to go for broke this weekend.
October 9, 2012
Bank of America 500: Halfway to the Title
Kasey Kahne has figured something out about Charlotte in the last few years, and he hopes it pays off this weekend.
October 4, 2012
Good Sam Club 500 Preview: Talladega - Superspeedway Luck
Jimmie Johnson comes to Talladega second in the overall standings within arm's reach of Brad Keselowski for the Chase.
September 26, 2012
AAA 400 Preview: Taming the Monster
Jimmie Johnson is atop the Chase for the Cup standings as we roll into the Monster Mile this weekend at Dover.
September 19, 2012
Sylvania 300 Preview: Quest for the Championship
Jimmie Johnson's quest for a sixth Sprint championship might be his toughest challenge to date.
September 12, 2012
Geico 400 Preview: Let the Chase Begin
Jimmie Johnson is one of a handful of Chevy drivers to make a strong bid for the win this weekend at Chicago's oval as the Chase for the Cup begins.
September 5, 2012
Auto Parts 400 Preview: Cut to the 'Chase'
Denny Hamlin was mired in a terrible slump just a couple weeks ago, but after convincing victories at Bristol and Atlanta the last two weeks the Joe Gibbs Racing star is the top contender this week at Richmond.
August 29, 2012
AdvoCare 500 Preview: Countdown to the Chase
Jimmie Johnson was winless in the first 10 races of the season, but he's racked up three wins in the last 14 events.
August 23, 2012
Irwin Tools Night Race Preview: The Bristol of Old
Look for Kyle Busch to retake his throne at Thunder Valley this weekend.
August 15, 2012
Pure Michigan 400 Preview: Earnhardt's House
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s last visit to Michigan resulted in a dominant victory. He's looking for more of the same this weekend.
August 7, 2012
Finger Lakes Preview: Bruising Battle at the Glen
Tony Stewart has dominated at Watkins Glen much of the last decade. He hopes to do the same this weekend.
July 31, 2012
Pennsylvania 400 Preview: Pocono Rewind
The series heads back to Pocono where Denny Hamlin has enjoyed considerable success.
July 26, 2012
Brickyard 400 Preview: Kissing the Bricks at Indy
Jimmie Johnson's luck at Indianapolis has been boom-or-bust over his career. Which way will it break this year at the Brickyard?
July 10, 2012
Lenox 301 Preview: Patience the Key to Loudon
Tony Stewart comes to New England this weekend in search of his fourth win of the season. Will he Smoke the competition?
July 4, 2012
Coke Zero 400 Preview: Fourth of July Fireworks
Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth finds himself solidly atop the contenders list this week as the series heads back to Daytona.
June 27, 2012
Quaker State 400 Preview: Showdown in the Heartland
Tony Stewart might be the favorite this week, but Jimmie Johnson is coming in hot with has two victories and five Top 5s in the last six races.
June 20, 2012
Toyota 350 Preview: Road Racing Reset
Tony Stewart is a two-time winner at Infineon Raceway and seems to be peaking entering this weekend's road-course race.
June 13, 2012
Quicken Loans 400 Preview: Toyota's Playground
Two-time Michigan winner Denny Hamlin looks to defend his title in the No. 11 Toyota.
June 6, 2012
Pocono 400 Preview: The Tricky Triangle
Pocono Raceway isn’t one of Jimmie Johnson’s best tracks, but he still has two victories and 14 Top-10s at the tri-oval.
May 23, 2012
Coca-Cola 600 Preview: 600-Mile Marathon
It's shaping up to be a Jimmie Johnson Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte.
May 15, 2012
All-Star Challenge Preview: Let the Stars Shine
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s All-Star resume isn't very impressive, but he is riding some major momentum into Charlotte this weekend.
May 8, 2012
Bojangles' Southern 500 Preview: The Darlington Stripe
Jeff Gordon is hoping his luck will change this week at the track
May 1, 2012
Aaron's 499 Preview: Superspeedway Wild Card
Talladega is one of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s best tracks, but can he win this week?
April 24, 2012
Richmond 400 Preview: Short-Track Shootout
Jimmie Johnson might have better tracks on his resume, but he is a three-time winner at Richmond.
April 17, 2012
STP 400 Preview: Texas Sequel at Kansas Speedway?
Greg Biffle looks to again dominate the Kansas track after winning last week at Texas.
April 10, 2012
Samsung Mobile 500 Preview: Fort Worth Rumble
Matt Kenseth's success at Fort Worth has been nothing short of amazing,
March 28, 2012
Fast Pain Relief 500 Preview: Short Track Survival
With six career wins at the Martinsville oval, Jimmie Johnson is the favorite this week.
March 20, 2012
Auto Club 400 Preview: Trends Begin to Form
With one win already this season, Tony Stewart should be on fantasy racing radar screens each time he visits the larger ovals like this week in Fontana.
March 13, 2012
Food City 500 Preview: Mountains, Moonshine and Mayhem
Kyle Busch has won four of the last six Bristol races, but does that make him the odds-on favorite for this week's race?.
March 6, 2012
Kobalt Tools 400 Preview: What Happens in Vegas Doesn't Stay in Vegas
Four-time Las Vegas winner Jimmie Johnson will look to reignite his dominance at the oval in the Nevada desert this weekend.
February 29, 2012
Subway Fresh Fit 500 Preview: Racing in the Desert
A two-time victor at the Phoenix oval, Jeff Gordon is the defending champ,
February 21, 2012
Daytona 500 Preview: The Great American Race
Two-time Daytona winner Kevin Harvick knows how to navigate his way around the huge oval.
February 7, 2012
Budweiser Shootout Preview: NASCAR's Kickoff to 2012
Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart will be motivated to make a real impression in this first race of the new season.
January 3, 2012
2012 Sprint Cup Rankings: Ranking the Drivers
Carl Edwards posted 19 Top-5 finishes last season, yet came away with only one victory. Where does he rank this season?
November 16, 2011
Ford 400 Preview: Florida Finale
Carl Edwards comes into the season finale in the driver's seat in the Sprint championship quest.
November 9, 2011
Kobalt Tools 500 Preview: Setup to the Championship
The surging Tony Stewart comes to the desert jewel this weekend seeking yet another Chase victory.
November 2, 2011
Texas 500 Preview: Homestretch to the Championship
A two-time winner at the Fort Worth, Matt Kenseth looks to get back on track this weekend.
October 26, 2011
Fast Relief 500 Preview: Surviving the Bull Ring
It's been an incredible season for Kevn Harvick, and he has his eyes on the prize of a championship.
October 18, 2011
Good Sam Club 500 Preview: Superspeedway Luck
A victory at Talladega is almost a must if Jimmie Johnson hopes to engrave his name on the Sprint Cup for a sixth straight time.
October 12, 2011
Bank of America 500 Preview: Halfway to the Title
Tony Stewart is trying to stay alive in the Chase, and Charlotte is the perfect place to do it.
October 5, 2011
Hollywood Casino 400 Preview: Schedule Shake Up
Jimmie Johnson has dominated in 10 career starts at the Kansas intermediate oval.
September 27, 2011
AAA 400 Preview: Monster Mile Madness
Jimmie Johnson is quickly scrambling in an attempt to find his groove again now that the Chase is underway.
September 20, 2011
Sylvania 300 Preview: Quest for a Championship
This season could be Kevin Harvick's best chance to win his first Sprint Cup Series championship.
September 14, 2011
Geico 400 Preview: Here Comes the Chase
Coming off a great performance at Richmond, how can we not like Jeff Gordon this weekend at Chicago?
September 7, 2011
Wonderful Pistachios 400 Preview: Cut to the Chase
Richmond International Raceway is statistically Kyle Busch's best oval on the circuit.
August 30, 2011
AdvoCare 500 Preview: Countdown to the Chase
If Edwards hopes to turn around his recent skid, it could all begin with a victory this Sunday at Atlanta.
August 23, 2011
Irwin Tools Night Race Preview: The Unpredictable Bullring
The winner of four of the last five Bristol races, Kyle Busch is looking to keep his winning streak alive under the lights at the bullring.
August 16, 2011
Michigan 400 Preview: Save Fuel, Win the Day
Carl Edwards is thick in the middle of the battle to win this season's championship and could cash in this week in Michigan.
August 9, 2011
Watkins Glen Preview: The Pole is Half the Battle
Kurt Busch is having an incredible season, and he comes to the Glen this week in search of his second victory in 2011.
August 3, 2011
Good Sam RV 500 Preview: Pocono, The Sequel
Four-time Pocono winner Denny Hamlin has only one victory this season, but the No. 11 Toyota seems to run up front every time the series visits Pennsylvania.
July 26, 2011
Brickyard 400 Preview: Auto Racing's Field of Dreams
Jimmie Johnson's luck at Indianapolis has really been boom-or-bust over his career. Can he push aside the class of the field, Tony Stewart?
July 12, 2011
Lenox 301 Preview: Short Track Survival
Denny Hamlin has been one of the more successful Sprint Cup Series drivers on the short track circuit in recent years.
July 5, 2011
Quaker State 400 Preview: Kentucky's Night to Shine
Kurt Busch is probably the hottest Sprint Cup driver as the series heads to Kentucky Speedway for the first time.
June 28, 2011
Coke Zero 400 Preview: Fourth of July Fireworks
In his last three Daytona outings Dale Earnhardt Jr. has collected one pole position and a pair of Top-5 finishes. More success should follow this weekend.
June 21, 2011
Toyota 350 Preview: The House that Gordon Built
Jeff Gordon's five career victories at Sonoma lead all drivers at the California road course.
June 14, 2011
Michigan 400 Preview: Fuel Mileage, the Key to Victory?
Denny Hamlin looks to defend his title of race winner from this event one year ago.
June 7, 2011
Weekly Preview: Where Road Meets Oval
Carl Edwards has such a great resume at Pocono that he's nearly a mandatory fantasy racing play this Sunday.
May 31, 2011
STP 400 Preview: Halfway to the Chase
Greg Biffle is in the midst of a favorable stretch of the Sprint Cup schedule, and another great performance should be in store.
May 24, 2011
Coca-Cola 600 Preview: Memorial Day Marathon
Kasey Kahne has been hot in May, and this could be a breakthrough weekend for the Enumclaw, Wash., native.
May 17, 2011
All-Star Challenge Preview: All-Star Fireworks
The reigning Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson is a two-time All-Star race winner.
May 10, 2011
FedEx 400 Preview: Monster Mile Madness
The winner of three of the last four Dover races, Jimmie Johnson has six career victories at the Monster Mile and has to be considered the top contender this week.
May 3, 2011
Showtime Southern 500 Preview: The Darlington Stripe
The surging Kyle Busch won this event three years ago, and he's led more than 200 laps in his last three trips to Darlington's oval.
April 26, 2011
Crown Royal 400 Preview: Short Track Shootout
The three-time Richmond winner has better tracks in his resume than the small Virginia oval, but Jimmie Johnson's been very good at the facility the last few years.
April 12, 2011
Aaron's 499 Preview: Who's Your Dance Partner?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on the upswing and makes a good fantasy racing play this week at one of his best tracks.
April 5, 2011
Samsung 500 Preview: Blueprint for the Season
Carl Edwards' No. 99 team is a scant five points off the championship lead, so there's no doubt Edwards is on fire coming to Fort Worth this weekend.
March 29, 2011
Goody's 500 Preview: Short Track Survival
With six career wins at the Martinsville short track, Jimmie Johnson is positioned to upset Denny Hamlin in this weekend's race.
March 22, 2011
Auto Club 500 Preview: California Drift
Carl Edwards' No. 99 team is the only team with three Top-5 finishes to this point in the season as the circuit rolls into Fontana.
March 15, 2011
Jeff Byrd 500 Preview: Bull Ring Rumble
The winner of three of the last four Bristol races, Kyle Busch enters this week's event as the odds-on favorite at the Bull Ring.
March 1, 2011
Kobalt Tools 400 Preview: Trends Begin to Form
Four-time Las Vegas winner Jimmie Johnson looks to continue his dominance at the oval in the Nevada desert this weekend.
February 22, 2011
Subway Fresh Fit 500 Preview: Racing at the Desert Jewel
Kurt Busch is the biggest threat to break the death grip that Hendrick Chevrolets have had on Phoenix International Raceway in recent years.
February 15, 2011
Daytona 500 Preview: The Great American Race
Kurt Busch had never won at Daytona until last Sunday's Bud Shootout, but in 20 career starts he's been extremely close to capturing the checkers.
February 7, 2011
Budweiser Shootout Preview: NASCAR's Kickoff to 2011
Tony Stewart is a three-time winner of the Bud Shootout since it went to a restrictor-plate format.
December 30, 2010
2011 Sprint Cup Rankings: The Top 45 Drivers
Jimmie Johnson -- who else? -- tops the 2011 driver rankings. But where does he rank all-time?
November 17, 2010
Ford 400 Preview: It Comes Down to This
Denny Hamlin comes to Homestead with a narrow 15-point lead over Jimmie Johnson with Kevin Harvick just 31 points behind Johnson, setting up a battle royale for the championship.
November 9, 2010
Kobalt Tools 500 Preview: Title Still Up for Grabs
Heading into the season's penultimate race this weekend at Phoenix, four-time defending champ Jimmie Johnson has a 33-point deficit in the championship chase behind Denny Hamlin.
November 2, 2010
Weekly Preview: Dash to the Championship
Considering the momentum that Denny Hamlin is riding entering this event, it would be no surprise to see him pull the season sweep at the Fort Worth oval.
October 26, 2010
Weekly Preview: Super Speedway Luck
Denny Hamlin has led significant laps in each of his last seven Talladega starts and has three Top 5's during that span.
October 19, 2010
Fast Relief 500 Preview: Surviving the Bull Ring
Seven-time Martinsville winner Jeff Gordon is looking to get back to victory lane,
October 18, 2010
NASCAR Barometer: Fight at the Bull Ring
Denny Hamlin has supplanted Jimmie Johnson's dominance at this small oval the last couple seasons.
October 12, 2010
Bank of America 500 Preview: Midway to the Championship
Tony Stewart is trying to climb back into championship contention, and Charlotte promises to be yet another potential win for the No. 14 Chevrolet.
October 11, 2010
NASCAR Barometer: A Clearer Picture
After the victory at Dover and three straight Top-3 finishes, Jimmie Johnson rides a tidal wave of momentum to one of his favorite tracks this weekend.
October 5, 2010
Pepsi Max 400 Preview: Big Oval Duel
Kevin Harvick will make his 17th career start at Auto Club Speedway when the green flag falls on Sunday's Pepsi Max 400.
September 28, 2010
Price Chopper 400 Preview: Intermediate Ovals Matter
Greg Biffle's success at Kansas has him leading the pack this week.
September 21, 2010
AAA 400 Preview: Monster Mile Madness
Jimmie Johnson is the active wins leader at the Monster Mile with five, including two of the last three events at the track.
September 14, 2010
Sylvania 300 Preview: Quest for the Championship
Kyle Busch is finally racing for a championship. For the first time in a couple years the Joe Gibbs Racing star is in position to challenge for the Cup.
September 7, 2010
Air Guard 400 Preview: The Cut for the "Chase"
Jeff Gordon is second only to Mark Martin among active drivers with 23 Top 10's at Richmond International Speedway, with two career victories.
August 31, 2010
Atlanta Motor Speedway Preview: Countdown to the Chase
Carl Edwards has been an intermediate oval ace the last few seasons in Sprint Cup racing and has three career victories at Atlanta.
August 16, 2010
Irwin Tools Night Race Preview: The Unpredictable Bull Ring
Motivation won't be a problem for Kyle Busch this weekend. The winner of two of the last three Bristol races is looking to break back into the win column.
August 10, 2010
Carfax 400 Preview: Fuel Mileage Festival
The surging Greg Biffle has stepped back into that focal role for Roush Fenway Racing this season.
August 3, 2010
Watkins Glen Preview: Qualifying is Key
Simply put, Tony Stewart has dominated at Watkins Glen much of this decade.
July 27, 2010
Pennsylvania 500 Preview: Pocono "The Sequel"
Not only is Denny Hamlin the recent statistical leader at this oval going into this weekend's Pocono race, but he is also getting race-winning cars on a frequent basis this season.
July 19, 2010
Weekly Preview: Kissing the Bricks
Tony Stewart's two wins and five Top 10's in the last six years at Indy make him the class of the field this weekend.
July 6, 2010
LifeLock 400 Preview: Racing in the Windy City
The surging Tony Stewart will be hard to stop this weekend at Chicagoland.
June 29, 2010
Coke Zero 400 Preview: Fourth of July Fireworks
Jamie McMurray lacks the victories to be considered the most dominant driver on ovals, but his efforts for both Jack Roush and now owner Chip Ganassi are hard to ignore.
June 22, 2010
Lenox Industrial Tools 301 Preview: Short Track Survival
Denny Hamlin is finally living up to his potential and showing the form to win a championship. He won this event in 2007 and finished second in his last race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
June 15, 2010
Weekly Preview: Road Course Racing in Sonoma
The Sprint Cup series pays its first visit to the road course circuit this weekend with a stop at Sonoma, which should sit well with Kyle Busch. He's flexed his muscles at the road course over the years.
June 8, 2010
Weekly Preview: Dips 400 Preview
Coming off a victory at Pocono, Denny Hamlin should have no trouble carrying that momentum to Michigan International Speedway this weekend
