Fantasy Report: Pep Boys Auto 500

The action is heating up as 'The Chase for the Cup' draws closer to an end. In race seven of the Chase drivers will handle the high speeds of Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Pep Boys Auto 500.

Here are the picks ...

Erik's picks:

Jeff Burton✔, Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman✔, Jamie McMurray✔, David Ragan, Bobby Labonte, Paul Menard✔ and David Reutimann.

Brandon's picks:

Tony Stewart✔, Carl Edwards, Juan Pablo Montoya✔, Mark Martin✔, Kasey Kahne, Elliot Sadler, Paul Menard✔ and Michael Waltrip.

Jimmie Johnson all the way: I think its safe to say Johnson might have the Cup locked up — unless he gets lost on the way to every track for the rest of the season. Even then I think he might find a way to win. If you have him left on your fantasy roster this is a great time to use him. There have been seven season sweeps at Atlanta and one of those by Johnson in 2007. He also has an average finish of 9th at Atlanta. If weather becomes a factor at Atlanta this could play in Johnson's favor once again. If qualifying gets rained out he would sit the pole and 55 races have been won from the first five starting positions.

Long shot: This week my long shot is Bobby Labonte. He leads the active list of drivers with six career victories at Atlanta. He also holds the track record. If he qualifies well then I will put him in. Being out of contention for a top five finish in the fantasy standings I don’t think it will really hurt me that much.

Good luck this week!

Fantasy Report: Kobalt Tools 500

NASCAR returns to Atlanta Sunday for the Kobalt Tools 500. All signs point to Jimmie Johnson but after last week anything is possible.

Brandon's picks: Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards✔, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle✔, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr.✔, Brian Vickers✔ and Michael Waltrip.

Erik's picks: Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick✔, Kasey Kahne✔, Martin Truex Jr.✔, Ryan Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya, Brian Vickers✔ and Travis Kvapil.

Drivers to watch:

• Safe pick: This week I'm going to say that Johnson and Edwards are safe picks. Johnson has proven himself to be a serious threat at Atlanta by winning both races last year despite a nominal year so far. I also think Edwards could do well even without his crew chief. He's coming off 2 straight wins and with motivation from his penalty he will be out to reclaim the points lead. It will be interesting to see how well Edwards does without his crew chief but he should finish well regardless.

• Middle of the road: Biffle and Earnhardt could be forces to reckon with this weekend. Both have had success at the mile-and-a-half track in the past. I just have a good feeling about them and sometimes that's all you have to go on.

• Dark horse to win: Reed Sorenson and Juan Pablo Montoya both have a chance this weekend to take the checkered flag. The Chip Ganassi Dodge teams have both had good runs in Atlanta and Dodge has come out as one of the top auto makers of 2008.