Comments: NASCAR Picks for Las Vegas

It was anything but a clam trip to the desert last weekend, as a trip to Phoenix International Raceway didn't exactly help fantasy owners recover from a wild Daytona 500. Blown motors, fuel mileage and pit strategy ruled the afternoon, sending several big names to bad finishes. On the bright side, it appears that Denny Hamlin may be working his way back into elite fantasy form, equaling his win total from 2011 just two races into the 2012 season.

This weekend's race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway should continue the feeling out process for fantasy owners. The track's 1.5-mile configuration is the most-common layout on the schedule, and it is an even better predictor of long-term success than Phoenix. Call it coincidence if you want, but last season, Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart dominated the race, finishing first and second. At the end of the year, the same two drivers finished tied for first in the standings.

1. Tony Stewart, Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1
2. Jimmie Johnson, Lowe's/Kobalt Tools
3. Carl Edwards, Fastenal/Aflac/UPS/Subway
4. Matt Kenseth, Husky/Dollar General
5. Kevin Harvick, Budweiser/Rheem
6. Greg Biffle, 3M/Bondo
7. Denny Hamlin, FedEx
8. Jeff Gordon, Drive to End Hunger/Axalta
9. Kyle Busch, Mars Brands/Interstate Batteries
10. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew
11. Marcos Ambrose, Stanley/Dewalt Power Tools
12. Jeff Burton, Caterpillar/Cheerios
13. Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance/Quaker State
14. Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite
15. Joey Logano, Shell-Pennzoil
16. Mark Martin, Aaron's Dream Machine
17. Clint Bowyer, 5-Hour Energy
18. Martin Truex, Jr., NAPA Auto Parts
19. Paul Menard, Menards
20. Ryan Newman, Quicken Loans/Haas Automation
21. Kurt Busch, Furniture Row
22. Aric Almirola, Smithfield Foods
23. A.J. Allmendinger, Kingsford/Clorox
24. Juan Montoya, Target
25. David Reutimann, Burger King/Doctor Pepper
26. Jamie McMurray, McDonald's/Cessna
27. Regan Smith, Guy Roofing
28. Trevor Bayne, Motorcraft/Quick Lane
29. Bobby Labonte, Phoenix Construction
30. David Ragan, CSX Transportation/Peanut Patch