Mark Garrow

  (3:54 PM)

Good afternoon everyone and welcome into our weekly Wednesday afternoon chat session on Fantasy racing..let the fun begin!

Chris (TX)

Which lineup for my Salary Cap League: 1-48,24,88,9,45. 2-48,20,29,88,45. 3-48/24,18,7,88,45. Thank you

Mark Garrow

  (3:58 PM)

I'm a little squemish over Kyle Petty and Robby Gordon..48,24,88,20 18 are money..29 will be okay...how about adjusting second line-up just a bit..48,20,11 for the 29, 88, and then maybe a Scott Riggs or Aric Almirola or if money allows Juan Pablo Montoya.

Josh (San Diego)

Both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon have great track records at Martinsville. So what do you expect from them this weekend because i would really love to pick them in my SCC Lineup this week

Mark Garrow

  (3:59 PM)

Josh, I think if you go with Johnson and Gordon you'll be in real good shape..They may be struggline on the mile and a halfs..but short track stuff looked pretty sporty at Bristol..I'm big on Johnson this week but next week at Texas is another story.

Steve (new orleans)

Who are your favorites this weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:03 PM)

Steve, my top-10 rankings this week, Kyle Busch..I don't necessarily see him winning but I've got him still ranked first because he's spitting out an average of 156 points a race and has led all five..so you know he's good for some bonus points..Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon are two and three based on fact I think both have a chance to win. I say the same thing about Tony Stewart and teammate Denny Hamlin..I've got Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at number six because he's potential top-five..take it to the bank top-10..I then have the three RCR drivers 7,8,9..Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick..they should be good for a top-10 too..I get a little risky with my number ten position, which is where I have Greg Biffle. He hasn't done much at Martinsville, but he's on a roll this year ..He was seventh in the fall last year at Martinsville and has potential to do that again.

Steve (new orleans)

So where do you rank Kasey Kane?

Mark Garrow

  (4:25 PM)

Sorry for the delay in answers..didn't have any questions on my screen and then bam there were a bunch..I rank Kahne 15th this week..Like him for top-15..don't see a top-10.

Vance (Philadelphia)

Is there anyone I should stay away from at Martinsville this weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:27 PM)

Vance..not sure what you mean...Roush Fenway guys may be a little "iffy"..but like the Gibbs, RCR, Hendrick cars 24,48,88..

Hurricane Jeff (Byesville, OH)

Hey Mark, Hurricane here. Do you think this year is more wide open than ever?

Mark Garrow

  (4:28 PM)

It certainly appears that way with Hendrick going winless to date..that's a shocker to me..right now it's wide open.

Kevin, CT

I have a choice between Labonte and Sadler as my fourth driver. Who you like and why?

Mark Garrow

  (4:29 PM)

I'm not a big fan of either of these guys at least not until I get a chance to look at practice and qualifying..I've got Bobby ranked 18th this week..and Elliott Sadler 26th..

James (Chicago)

Mark, where'd you go?

Mark Garrow

  (4:30 PM)

James, sorry again about that..I had no questions on my screen..kept hitting refresh and boom they came in a pile..my apologies.

Brendan (Lowell, MA)

Do you have to be a virgin to play fantasy NASCAR?

Mark Garrow

  (4:31 PM)

Brendan, I don't know about that..but did you knock I used to crack skulls in Lowell..former New England Golden Glove Champ...so don't pick too hard..lol...

Ryan (gainesville, GA)

How do you feel aout the #99 & #66 this week?

Mark Garrow

  (4:32 PM)

I think Riggs can run up near the top-15..which is nice at his price..Edwards is a big question mark..best finish at this track was 11th last October..otherwise average finish is 20.6..I think you can do better at the price this week.

Frank (DC)

How much would you be willing to give up to get a driver like Junior or Bowyer?

Mark Garrow

  (4:33 PM)

Tough to say..I drafted Junior and I'm keeping him..Bowyer started slow but is starting to roll..I'll tell you this..both are real deal and are going to score big chunks of points on regular basis..especially in next two races Texas and Phoenix.

Karen, Sacto

So how much do you take a pit crew into accounbt in fantasy? I mean do you downgrade a driver with talent because you're not confident of his crew chief's short-track strategy?

Mark Garrow

  (4:34 PM)

Karen, it is something to think about ..especially at Martinsville where track position trumps everything and a bad pit stop or bad pit call can kill you..A little veteran experience goes a long way at Martinsville.

Gary, Anchorage

Still pretty cold up here. I would feel better if I thought Junior (my second driver) would win this weekend. What kind of racer is he at Martinsville?

Mark Garrow

  (4:35 PM)

I don't think Junior can win at Martinsville..but I can see him finishing 4th to 7th..and driving his guts out to get it..sorry about the cold man..but I've got to tell you that one of the main goals I have in my life is to one day travel to Alaska..I know the winters are probably tough but it sure looks beautiful.

Buzz (Pompano Beach, Fla.)

Is now a good time to hit up a Jimmie Johnson owner in my league for a trade?

Mark Garrow

  (4:36 PM)

Yes and no Buzz..I like Jimmie a lot this week..but after Las Vegas and Atlanta..he'll give me an itch at Texas..

Michael (Seattle)

Longtime race fan here but new to fantasy. Any general advice for a newbie?

Mark Garrow

  (4:38 PM)

Glad you could join us..I would say stick with veterans as much as you can..pay close attention to previous couple of seasons at a particular track..momentum wise points scored last six races..and if you want to get real serious..tune into my chats Sunday mornings after I've had a chance to talk to the crew chiefs so I can give you their thoughts on their cars and the competition..It's good stuff if I do say so myself.

Kyle (MA)

48 or 24 this week? Why?

Mark Garrow

  (4:39 PM)

Toughie..both need it bad..but slight lean to Gordon who's been a little more consistent and has won seven times at Martinsville.

Garrett (TN)

Which combination you like better: 48,24,88,9 or 48,18,11,88 THANKS

Mark Garrow

  (4:40 PM)

I think you might ring the bell with the second one..48,18,11,88..they'll all be around the front all day...not so confident about 9..he feels more like a top-15..although I said that at Bristol and he burned me with a seventh place finish.

Chris : Chaple Hill NC

Should I start JPM or Brian Vickers this weekend? Also Sam Hornish or J.J. Yeley to start this weekend?

Mark Garrow

  (4:42 PM)

Chris, I like Juan Pablo over Vickers because you drive Martinsville a little bit like a road course with only left hand turns..drive in hard..nail the brakes hard..road course experience should help JPM there..As for the other deal I'd probably lean towards Yeley but I've got to tell you neither guy made my top-30 rankings.

Ryan (Gainesville, GA)

I got a question answered! I'll push my luck, and shoot for 2! What do you think about this for a team: 18, 20, 88, 07, 8?

Mark Garrow

  (4:43 PM)

If the 8 comes through with a top-15..you should be good..I can see the other four finishing at least top-10..

Kevin (Chicago)

Should i keep Kasey Kahne on my fantasy team? Is he worth it? Or will he fade away out of the Chase?

Mark Garrow

  (4:43 PM)

I'd say hold until something drastic happens..He's sixth in the points so he's been good so far..take another look at the situation after Texas..

Shawn (Maine)

if you see what i say type rbrbrbrb

Mark Garrow

  (4:44 PM)

okay ..I'll bite..rbrbrbr..satisfied?..lol.,

Garrett (TN)

Got a new Combination for you, which one? 48,18,11,88 or 24,18,7,88. Thanks again for all your help

Mark Garrow

  (4:45 PM)

Garrett..I really like the 48,18,11,88..should score big with that team..

Joe (Bah-stun)

It's never too early to talk about New Hampshire. OK, it is. But if I was to work a trade for somebody currently in the bottom half of the standings with the potential to break out, who would that be?

Mark Garrow

  (4:47 PM)

When I used to fight in the garden Joe..I pawked the cawh..lol...I'd say take a look at Casey Mears..He's not going to run bad all year..a lot of upside there..new crew chief..getting to know you phase right now..Should start to catch fire late April..early May..

Ben (Baton Rouge, LA)

Which Penske car does best this weekend, the 12 or 2?

Mark Garrow

  (4:48 PM)

I'd go with Newman..was a little more consistent at Martinsville last year..and let's not forget was runner-up in the fall.

Kent (NE)

Montoya ran 16th and 8th here last year, and he has steadily finished better every race, could he be a top 10 surprise at Martinsville?

Mark Garrow

  (4:49 PM)

I think you have to look at JPM pretty seriously this week..again you charge the corners like a road racer and that's right up his alley..plus he showed last year he could stay out of the way and out of trouble..at his price..might be a nice pick this week..

Dar in WI

How does Tony look this week? And how do you think he'll react to what happen in Bristol?

Mark Garrow

  (4:50 PM)

I like Tony for a top-five with a chance to win..He's over Bristol..he and Harvick are good buds...Last week, Harvick even helped wax his back..heard it over Sirius radio and the ripping and tearing is still giving me nightmares!...lol..

Ben (Baton Rouge, LA)

Is the weather forecast good for Martinsville?

Mark Garrow

  (4:51 PM)

Ben, honestly haven't looked yet..I'll just say I have my fingers crossed..

Mark Garrow

  (4:52 PM)

That's going to do it folks..don't forget to catch me this Sunday morning at 10:30..when we chat after I've "chatted" with the crew chiefs in Martinsville..Thanks for tuning in today and we'll catch you again Sunday morning.