Basing the stats on how well these drives do (or don’t do) on 2.5-mile intermediate tracks, and the fact that a few of them raced Xfinity or truck series at Nashville in the past, here are my Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this week’s inaugural Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win in Nashville
Kyle Busch
Rowdy is finally heating up and getting back to the driver we’re accustomed to seeing. He has plenty of experience in Nashville and he rules these long intermediate tracks. I expect nothing less than his best on Sunday.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 5
Top-5 finishes: 14
Top-10 finishes: 28
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: 12 starts with three wins.
Kevin Harvick
In the last seven years, Kevin Harvick has only finished outside of the top-10 twice at an intermediate 2.5-mile track. Wow. And he has two wins on this track from his Xfinity days. If this isn’t the week for him to finally, finally get something going, I don’t know when it will happen.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 4
Top-5 finishes: 22
Top-10 finishes: 34
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: Five starts with two wins.
Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowksi is no stranger to Nashville Superspeedway, having been here 12 times in the past. His numbers at this type of track are spot-on, and I think this could be his chance to get back in shape before the season gets too much further along. The No. 2 has had a rough go of it this year, but his second-place finish at last week’s all-star race might give him a shot of much-needed adrenaline to step it up.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 2
Top-5 finishes: 13
Top-10 finishes: 19
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: 12 starts with two wins.
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for the race in Nashville
William Byron
A hot, hot, hot season from the No. 24 team would get even hotter if he won at the first race in Nashville against all of these drivers who have raced there in the past. I have no doubt that he has what it takes to do it, so keep your eye on William Byron this Sunday.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 5
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: Zero starts.
Aric Almirola
Last week, Aric Almirola sped his way into the All-Star race where he finished in the top-10. No one has had such a disappointing season and is ready to turn things around like this No. 10 team. He really turned things around at intermediate tracks last season with three top-five finishes in a row. I’m thinking he’ll continue that trend on Sunday.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 0
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 5
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: Eight starts with zero wins.
Denny Hamlin
I know that Denny Hamlin has been on a downer lately, but he’s been aces on 2.5 miles tracks in the past several years. And though he never won at Nashville, he’s been here a few times in the past, and that gives him a little bit of leverage for me to say that he might have a shot at his first win of 2021 in Nashville.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 6
Top-5 finishes: 18
Top-10 finishes: 28
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: Five starts with zero wins.
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup for Nashville this week
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
There are enough zeros in Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s stats to convince me to leave him out of my NASCAR fantasy lineup for Nashville.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: Five starts with zero wins.
Austin Dillon
Yes, he’s been here before, but he’s not great on 2.5-mile tracks. It’s been a rocky season for Auston Dillon, but I think he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Just not for this week.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 2
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: Six starts with one win.
Chris Beuscher
I still remember when Chris Beuscher won the race at Pocono in 2016. Since then his luck has been rough at all intermediate 2.5-mile tracks. This has been a rather impressive season for the No. 17 team, but I don’t see much happening in Nashville.
Wins at 2.5-mile intermediate tracks: 1
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 3
Starts at Nashville in Xfinity/truck series: Zero starts.
