I did give William Byron an honorable mention in my podcast last week, but I never thought he’d actually come through for the win in Phoenix.
Though, it looked like the race was Kenvin Harvick’s to lose, which he sadly did, after a late caution forced a pit stop. Harvick’s team decided to take four tires, as opposed to everyone else’s two tire stops, and he lost the race off of pit road. After all was done, Harvick wound up with a fifth-place finish, which still gives him a record at Phoenix with the most top-tens.
As the boys leave the west coast and head east, consider my list of Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks for the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
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Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Kevin Harvick
So close, yet so far. But this week, maybe he’ll get the first win of his last season with NASCAR. After Atlanta, we go road racing, so this is his best chance for a bit.
Atlanta wins: 3
Atlanta top 5s: 9
Atlanta top 10s: 16
Ryan Blaney
It. Is. On. Ryan Blaney came up and took home the second-place position in Phoenix, and I think he’s about to go on a run. He’s good in Atlanta, and he’s great on road courses, so you just might see Blaney pull a Byron this week and next.
Atlanta wins: 1
Atlanta top 5s: 4
Atlanta top 10s: 4
William Byron
And now to the hottest guy in NASCAR. I’d be silly not to say that William Byron could win for a third week. But, even if he lets someone else have their day in the sun, it’s likely he’ll finish well once again.
Atlanta wins: 1
Atlanta top 5s: 1
Atlanta top 10s: 2
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Ross Chastain
Once again, Ross Chastain sits in the bold category. He finished in second place on his last two trips to Atlanta, and as far as hot drivers go, he’s right up there with the best of them. Now that he and Denny Hamlin have buried the hatchet on the track, maybe he’ll feel comfortable enough to take his car to victory lane for the first of many times this season.
Atlanta wins: 0
Atlanta top 5s: 2
Atlanta top 10s: 2
Brad Keselowski
It seems like Brad Keselowski is settling into his co-owner/driver role a bit better. Though he still has a way to go to improve those finishes, he’s running better throughout the race. He used to be the one to beat in Atlanta, but I think he’d be pleased if he could just get a top-five.
Atlanta wins: 2
Atlanta top 5s: 4
Atlanta top 10s: 9
Alex Bowman
Might be time for the next Hendrick driver to win, and that’s probably going to be Alex Bowman. He’s run very well so far in 2023 and it’s only a matter of time before he hits it. Might as well be in Atlanta.
Atlanta wins: 0
Atlanta top 5s: 2
Atlanta top 10s: 3
Bonkers – Chances are slim that these drivers will benefit your NASCAR fantasy points this week
Denny Hamlin
I don’t trust him yet this season. He’s running well and finishing lousy. He has won here before, and he might end up in the top five if he’s lucky, but I’m not feeling it. Probably thanks to the 4 DNFs he’s seen. It’s too risky.
Atlanta wins: 1
Atlanta top 5s: 6
Atlanta top 10s: 9
A.J. Allmendinger
A.J. Allmendinger is going to be a hot pick next week when NASCAR heads to COTA, but I don’t think that he’s going to have the same type of run in Atlanta. Take a pass this week.
Atlanta wins: 0
Atlanta top 5s: 0
Atlanta top 10s: 3
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Four DNFs and nary a top five makes me think that Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is a real longshot for Atlanta. Hold off on this Daytona 500 winner when you make your NASCAR fantasy picks this week.
Atlanta wins: 0
Atlanta top 5s: 0
Atlanta top 10s: 1
