5th Down Fantasy Bold Pick Erik Jones blew past the competition for a shocking win in Darlington last weekend. After final-stage engine trouble for Gibbs’ teammates Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr., the tables turned in this tumultuous race.
Blown tires, equipment failures, and one scary moment when Kevin Harvick’s car caught on fire, were the dominating themes at Darlington. Erik Jones held off Denny Hamlin in the final lap to claim a victory 55 years to the day after Richard Petty achieved the same feat in the 43 car. Though he didn’t make the playoffs this year, I expect to see more out of the 43 and Petty GMS in 2023.
Though some drivers are sitting pretty after this first playoff race—including Joey Logano, William Byron, and Denny Hamlin—Kevin Harvick, Austin CIndric and two other troubled teams sit below the cutoff line with only two more opportunities to step it up, or else face elimination after the first round of playoffs.
As we head to Kansas, keep your eyes on these Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks for the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Kevin Harvick
Frustration can be an amazing motivator, and Kevin Harvick has been motivated by it many times in the past. This guy doesn’t want to get cut in the first round, so I’m banking on stage points and a win, or pretty close to one, for the Number 4 in Kansas. This is probably his best shot.
Wins at Kansas: 3
Top five finishes: 12
Top ten finishes: 19
Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch was red-hot last week. His car smoked the competition—until his car got smoked. Number 18 got sent to the garage near the end of the final stage and it’s just another example of how unlucky he’s been all season. Though he has four DNFs in Kansas, I think between here and Bristol, he has a great opportunity to lock himself in for more.
Wins at Kansas: 2
Top five finishes: 10
Top ten finishes: 14
Denny Hamlin
With numbers like these, how do you skip over Denny Hamlin in Kansas? I know he wants to put this season to bed with a Championship win, and he just might. But the road goes through Kansas next, no pun intended, and Number 11 has what it takes to get it done. He’s no slouch at Bristol, but best to wrap it up now.
Wins at Kansas: 3
Top five finishes: 10
Top ten finishes: 11
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Christopher Bell
Christopher Bell is in the middle of a feud with Daniel Suárez, but I don’t see that as a factor in Kansas. Number 20 is on a mission to win and he’s chomping at the bit for a win that can send him to the round of 12. It could possibly happen this week.
Wins at Kansas: 0
Top five finishes: 1
Top ten finishes: 3
Brad Keselowski
You might laugh at this because Brad Keselowski has had one of the worst seasons of his NASCAR Cup Series tenure. But, his lack of a playoff spot takes the pressure off, and this could give him enough of a breather to continue his upward trend after finishing seventh last week.
Wins at Kansas: 2
Top five finishes: 7
Top ten finishes: 13
Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. looked like his old self last week until his car blew up. Frustration is high, but so is the desire to win. Truex finished sixth here last time around, and I think he’ll elevate that to a top-five, if not first. The Gibbs cars are all on my radar this week, and there’s no reason to think the 19 is out of it until the very end.
Wins at Kansas: 2
Top five finishes: 9
Top ten finishes: 15
Bonkers – Stay away from these drivers in your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week
Chase Briscoe
Chase Briscoe needs to step it up in order to make it to the next round of the playoffs. Unless he somehow sneaks through, this week might be a bust. It’s desperation time for others, and that won’t play well for the chances of the 14.
Wins at Kansas: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 0
Daniel Suárez
He may have a war brewing with Christopher Bell, but he’ll have to get close enough to him this week to complete a payback maneuver. I don’t think he will. Bell has a better chance of running up front than Suárez this week, so keep the 99 out of the picture for now.
Wins at Kansas: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 1
Aric Almirola
Another season to get where he wants to be; now that Aric Almirola is officially un-retired, he has all of next year to get in a win. Which is great, because it isn’t gonna happen in Kansas.
Wins at Kansas: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 7
