OPINION

By Brian Brown

updated 2:27 p.m. ET Nov. 18, 2009

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series moves to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the 36th and final race of the 2009 season, the Ford 400. Brian Brown took a look at past performances, season trends, and spoke with NASCAR contacts to predict how the field should finish on Sunday.

When
Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009
3:30 p.m. ET

Weather
Partly cloudy with a high around 73; wind out of the SW at 8 mph. There is a 30 percent chance of precipitation.

The Track
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a 1.5 mile oval. It has medium 18, 19, and 20 degree banking on the turns.

Key to Race: A Roush speedway
Roush had two cars in the top three in 2008, four cars in the top 10 in 2007, three cars in the top 10 in 2006 and swept the top four spots during the 2005 race. Even though Roush-Fenway drivers haven't had a terrific amount of success this season, their cars should be fast this weekend. Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon are non-Roush drivers with past success at the track.

Qualifying Procedures
Forty-eight cars will attempt to qualify for 43 spots. Cars not in the top 35 in the 2009 point standings will have to qualify based on speed. Starting positions 1-43 are determined during qualifying on Friday, Nov. 20 at 3:10 p.m. ET.

Fantasy Cheat Sheet

Top 5
No. 99 Carl Edwards: Edwards won last year's Ford 400 and has finished in the top 10 in five straight starts at the track. He is our top pick on Sunday.
No. 16 Greg Biffle: Biffle has won three of the past five Homestead races. If there is ever a time to use the No. 16 car it is this weekend.

Slideshow   NASCAR crashes Sparks fly and cars spin out wildly when NASCAR drivers get into accidents. NBCSports.com

No. 48 Jimmie Johnson: Johnson basically just has to start Sunday's race to clinch the Sprint Cup Championship. Homestead is a track he has had success at in the past and celebrating the Championship from Victory Lane is realistic.
No. 24 Jeff Gordon: Gordon has eight top ten finishes in 10 career starts at Homestead. He is a top choice this weekend.
No. 2 Kurt Busch: Busch has three top five finishes in eight career starts at Homestead, including a win in 2004. He should finish in the top 10 this weekend.

6 to 10
No. 17 Matt Kenseth: Kenseth dominated the 2007 edition of the Homestead race and was fast at the track last year. He is a great option this weekend.
No. 14 Tony Stewart: Stewart has two career wins at Homestead and five top ten finishes. We all know that Stewart would love nothing more than to win on Sunday and take a little of the attention away from Jimmie Johnson.
No. 1 Martin Truex Jr.: Truex Jr. has been very good at Homestead. He is a great fantasy option this week.
No. 29 Kevin Harvick: Harvick has been great at Homestead during his career. He hasn't won a race at the track, but he should crack the top 10.
No. 11 Denny Hamlin: Hamlin finished third in two of the past three races at Homestead. He will finish inside the top 10 again this weekend.

MORE FROM NASCAR / MOTORS

NASCAR / Motors Section Front

Danica ready to take on big boys Howard: Time for Danica to make splash and win big Opinion: Danica is rushing into her NASCAR career   Slideshow: Images of Danica's life on, off track NASCAR sponsors seem to be in driver’s seat Five ways to rekindle NASCAR fan interest Opinion: Johnson is still the driver to beat in 2010 Latest NASCAR videos NASCAR RESULTS, SCHEDULE, STANDINGS Slideshow: Images of NASCAR wives, girlfriends NASCAR / Motors Section Front   Add NASCAR / Motors headlines to your news reader: