And just like that, one driver will be eliminated automatically at the end of the race at The Roval. Alex Bowman announced this week that he will not return to the number 48 due to his continued recovery from a concussion he suffered in Texas two weeks ago. Noah Gragson, who filled in for Bowman in Talladega, will again pilot the Ally Bank car this weekend. Though Bowman had a medical waiver to miss the first race and continue his championship quest, that ends this weekend.
We all wish Bowman a speedy recovery and we know we’ll see him here again next season.
That brings us to the next elimination race in this 2022 quest to be the NASCAR best. The Roval is not a kind track, and even those who have mastered the road courses still find it tricky. It’s a rather new course, after all, but there are some drivers who have given it a go a few times now and found success. I expect this race to be messy since it’s the last chance for some drivers to get in with a win or go out with a bang.
Follow the last of the Round of 12 and see who makes the Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks list for the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney sure would like to put this winless season behind him with a first-place finish at The Roval. Last week’s second-place end was a heartbreaker, but a win would mend the damage and give the number 12 a little bit of breathing room going into the Round of 8.
Wins at The Roval: 1
Top five finishes: 2
Top ten finishes: 4
Chase Elliott
It’s not unreasonable to assume that Chase Elliott will go back to back in wins. Even though he’s already advanced to the round of 8, road courses are his thing, and a win here all but ensures a final four finish and another run for the Championship.
Wins at The Roval: 2
Top five finishes: 2
Top ten finishes: 3
Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson has held his own this season, and I think he’ll turn up the heat as we get closer to the end. This 2021 champ surely wants to keep going to the next round and this is a good place to ensure that he does.
Wins at The Roval: 1
Top five finishes: 1
Top ten finishes: 1
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Tyler Reddick
You can’t hit a road course without putting Tyler Reddick in your lineup. He finished second last time around and I bet he ties it or beats it by one this year. There’s a legacy that the current driver of the number 8 wants to leave behind before moving on to a new number next year.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top five finishes: 1
Top ten finishes: 1
William Byron
Though William Byron has not won or finished in the top 5 at The Roval, he’s finished top-10 or very close to it every time he’s been here. His quest for the Championship will end this week if he doesn’t kick it into the highest gear possible on Sunday. Expect a solid finish as he tries.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 2
Michael McDowell
With Alex Bowman out of the race this week, I had to pick a NASCAR fantasy wild card, and Michael McDowell is it. He’s good on road courses and he had been really fun to watch this year. So many top fives and tens—the best season of his career, overall. If you wanna go with a wildcard NASCAR fantasy pick this weened, McDowell is the one you want.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 0
Bonus Bold: If you’re out of drivers for fantasy, take a chance on The Dinger. A.J. Allmendinger is a smart bet at The Roval. It was just announced that he’ll be back full-time in the Cup Series next season, racing in the Number 16 for Kaulig Racing. This could spur him to a win on Sunday.
Bonkers – Stay away from these drivers in your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week
Aric Almirola
Since he’s not going to retire anymore, Aric Almirola has another season to catch the tiger by the tail in 2022. But give him a pass at The Roval because he’s thumbs-down here.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 0
Austin Dillon
Austin Dillon has a poor record at this road course, so it’s best to leave him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup this week.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 0
Kevin Harvick
Though Kevin Harvick has finished okay here in the past, I really don’t think that any of the drivers in the Championship fight will give him the opportunity to get by this week.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top five finishes: 1
Top ten finishes: 1
