Here are my Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this week’s Drydene 400 at Dover.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win in Dover
Martin Truex Jr.
There’s no stopping this guy right now. He’s as hot as they get! The fact that he’s on the pole and has an impressive record here tells me there’s gonna be another party for the No. 19 when he wins at the Monster Mile on Sunday.
Wins at Dover: 3
Top-5 finishes: 9
Top-10 finishes: 18
Kevin Harvick
And we’re waiting…and waiting…and waiting to see Kevin Harvick get his first win of the 2021 season. He’s been in the top-10 for the last three races, so it’s only a matter of time. Given the way he looks each time he runs the track at Dover, it could be this weekend.
Wins at Dover: 3
Top-5 finishes: 10
Top-10 finishes: 21
Denny Hamlin
Last season, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick traded off wins every week. This season? Neither one has gotten this first victory. Hamlin had two poor finishes between Talladega and Kansas, but he still leads all other drivers in the point standings. This is the week that Gibbs gets another win—whether it’s the 19 or the 11.
Wins at Dover: 1
Top-5 finishes: 6
Top-10 finishes: 13
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for Dover
Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson was hot on the trail of last week’s winner—Martin Truex Jr.—at Darlington. The No. 5 is heating up at the right time, making me a firm believer in his ability to take home his second trophy of the 2021 NASCAR season this week at Dover.
Wins at Dover: 1
Top-5 finishes: 6
Top-10 finishes: 9
Chase Elliott
I’m hesitant to put last season’s champ in the list this week, but he’s tight at the Monster Mile. His only poor finishes here have been DNFs, otherwise he’s a solid top-tener. He hasn’t had the best season thus far, but let’s see what the No. 9 can do this week.
Wins at Dover: 1
Top-5 finishes: 7
Top-10 finishes: 7
William Byron
The 24 team has had an amazing season. Once NASCAR left Daytona, William Byron nabbed his first win and hasn’t finished outside of the top ten since. He’s really come into his own in 2021, showing that this could be the time for him to get his first Monster Mile victory.
Wins at Dover: 0
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 2
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup for Dover this week
Austin Dillon
Austin Dillon is having a nice season, hanging out in the top 16. He’s not terrible at Dover, but I feel like so many other drivers are either so hot or so desperate for a win that Dillon’s chances of success are slim.
Wins at Dover: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 3
Kurt Busch
It’s been a long, long time since Kut Busch got that win at Dover. This season has been a heartbreaker, with zero finishes in the top ten since Homestead. This will be the No. 1 team’s 42nd start at the Monster Mile, but I don’t see him in victory lane.
Wins at Dover: 1
Top-5 finishes: 9
Top-10 finishes: 12
Ryan Blaney
Ouch, I know that I left Ryan Blaney on the bench last week, but Dover is no better for the No. 12. He hasn’t finished inside the top-10 here since 2018. Keep him off of your NASCAR fantasy lineup for another week.
Wins at Dover: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 2
