Last week’s race winner surprised everyone, including me, as Alex Bowman cruised his way to Victory Lane at the Auto Club 400.
The last stop on the west coast swing is the FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway. After that, it’s back to Atlanta and then, an early stop at Homestead-Miami. Remember — Phoenix will now host the final race in the 2020 season. Pay attention to how drivers run on Sunday because it just might cue you into the Championship winner in November.
But right now, the season is young. Are you ready for this week’s NASCAR expert picks?
Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice guiding you to the Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers drivers for this week’s race: The FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot at winning at Phoenix Raceway
Kevin Harvick
Wins at Phoenix: 9
Top 5 finishes: 17
Top 10 finishes: 22
Nine wins–nine wins! With stats like this, there’s no way that Kevin Harvick has a bad week in Arizona. After all, he hasn’t finished outside of the top ten at Phoenix Raceway since 2013. This is his racetrack, which is why he’s number one driver in my NASCAR fantasy lineup this week.
Kyle Busch
Wins at Phoenix: 3
Top 5 finishes: 11
Top 10 finishes: 21
Do y’all think that ole Rowdy is ready to win his first race of the 2020 NASCAR season? I said that last week, and it bears repeating again. He finished in second place at the Auto Club 400, and he’s ready to take that trip to Victory Lane with a number-one spot this week. If he can duke it out and hold off Happy Harvick, he’s likely to have a reason to exhale after the race on Sunday.
Denny Hamlin
Wins at Phoenix: 2
Top 5 finishes: 13
Top 10 finishes: 17
Dynamic at the Daytona 500, not-so-great afterward. Denny is gearing up for a good race this weekend, though, and I think he’ll bounce back with a sweet finish. He has a lot of competition between the No. 18 and No. 4, but he’s the next in line when it comes to a solid record at Phoenix Raceway. Look for the No. 11 team to put on a good show this weekend.
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks
Aric Almirola
Wins at Phoenix: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 4
When Aric Almirola came to Stewart Haas Racing, he really opened up and became the driver we always knew was lurking inside. With the exception of the November race last year, his finishes at Phoenix Raceway have been spot-on. He’s a NASCAR sleeper pick for sure, but he just might surprise everyone at the checkered flag on Sunday.
Ryan Blaney
Wins at Phoenix: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 4
This was the toughest pick for me to make in this week’s NASCAR fantasy lineup, but I think that Ryan Blaney has shown a lot of promise early in the season. Though he hasn’t had the strong finishes he’s capable of having, that could all change this weekend in Phoenix.
Kyle Larson
Wins at Phoenix: 0
Top 5 finishes: 4
Top 10 finishes: 5
If Denny Hamlin didn’t get Kyle Larson into the wall last week at the Auto Club 400, the race outcome might have been different. It seems like the 42 team is super close to getting things ‘just right,’ and I think that they have a chance to expand on their experience this week. Larson has a good shot at the title if he can hold off the top contenders on Sunday.
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup this week
Chase Elliott
Wins at Phoenix: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 4
Chase Elliott had a great run in Fontana last week, but he’s struggled at the first few races this season and his last few visits to Phoenix Raceway have been disappointing. He might get a good run off of last’s week’s momentum, but it’s not likely we’ll see the No. 9 in Victory Lane unless about five other drivers get bound up in a wreck and clear the way for him.
Clint Bowyer
Wins at Phoenix: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 7
I hate to put Clint Bowyer down in the bonkers category again this week, but if the firesuit fits, you gotta wear it. If you think about how many times Bowyer has been at this track (29), these numbers show that it’s a good idea to take my NASCAR fantasy advice and keep the No. 14 on the sidelines Sunday.
Austin Dillon
Wins at Phoenix: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 2
Austin Dillon had a sweet finish in Vegas and held his own at the Daytona 500. From what I see so far this season, I feel like the No. 3 team is on track to a better season than they experienced last year. Having said that, this is not a good track for Dillon historically, so I don’t see him pushing to the front when it matters the most. Keep him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup this week.
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