Did you really need us to tell you that Brilliant Picks Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick would sweep the weekend with stages and wins?
Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway will set the tone for the playoffs. With so many drivers on the bubble, teams will push the limits this weekend on a track that’s known to wreck cars and careers. As a result, this could be the wildest race we’ve seen to date. Don’t count on the regulars to win it and don’t count on the others to lose it. On Saturday night, it’s the last race in a physically short, yet emotionally very long, season.
Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice guiding you to the Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers drivers for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night under the lights at Daytona International Speedway:
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot at winning in in Daytona
Denny Hamlin
Not only is Denny on the career-defining season of his life, with a hot streak that started at the Daytona 500 and never cooled down, he has surprisingly good numbers at this track. As long as he can race clean, stay out of wrecks, and make time in the pits, he’s destined to close out the year with a win on Saturday night.
Wins at Daytona: 3
Top 5 finishes: 9
Top 10 finishes: 10
Kevin Harvick
Guess who’s riding the pole this week? Yep, the driver who secured the regular-season championship spot last week in Dover. This has been an amazing season for the No. 4 team. Every driver at Daytona is only one false move away from ending their day early, but somehow Harvick has avoided these mishaps all season. Don’t be surprised if he comes out ahead of the pack in that freaky-fast car.
Wins at Daytona: 2
Top 5 finishes: 10
Top 10 finishes: 15
Joey Logano
When Logano stays out of trouble at Daytona, he finishes well. He’s won here before and has found his way around the pile-ups several times. He’s well overdue for a win and if the trouble stays behind him, he’ll likely get it this weekend..
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top 5 finishes: 6
Top 10 finishes: 9
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks
Erik Jones
For the first time since he’s been running in the No. 20 car, Jones is fighting for a spot in the playoffs. He’s also fighting for a ride in the 2021 NASCAR season after being let go by JGR earlier this month. A win at Daytona will guarantee a playoff spot, and it’s sure to make a strong case for this young driver who has a lot more to offer a different team in the very near future.
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 3
Matt DiBenedetto
Matty-D is above the cutoff line for a spot in the playoffs, but just barely. The last two races have been unkind to the No. 21, and you can bet he’s feeling the pressure to step it up in Daytona. Though his numbers here aren’t great, there’s a lot to be said about grit and determination—and DiBenedetto has both.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 3
Michael McDowell
When the Cup Series runs at Daytona and Talladega, all bets are off. The winners fall back and the hopefuls come forward. McDowell has three top-10 finishes this year and a few good runs. And the fact that he’s led 21 laps here shows he has some confidence. When the wrecks ensure and others get left in the dust, don’t be surprised if the No. 34 sneaks into a competitive position.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 3
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup this week
Ryan Blaney
Though Blaney had an intense finish when drivers hit the track at the Daytona 500, I think it was a different time and a different feel. Blaney doesn’t have great numbers here, and he’s already in the playoffs. Don’t expect much out of the 12 on Saturday night.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 3
Brad Keselowski
Brad plus Daytona equals sketchy at best. He has an unusual knack of getting himself caught up in the middle of the skirmishes that are so common here. Nothing at Daytona is ever set in stone, but I’d keep him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup this weekend.
Wins at Daytona: 1
Top 5 finishes: 3
Top 10 finishes: 4
Martin Truex Jr.
This has never, and I mean never, been a good track for Truex. These are his numbers out of 30 trips to Daytona. Seems unlike the super-star driver we all know. But, hey, he’s already solidly set in position for the playoffs so he’s got nothing to lose if he loses.
Wins at Daytona: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 4
