Last weekend’s Brilliant Pick Denny Hamlin surprised everyone with a come-from-behind win after riding in the back for most of the race. It appears this was a brilliant strategy, as it kept him out of the multitude of wrecks that ended the day for many of the drivers who were expected to shine in Talladega.
This week, NASCAR heads to The Roval—a specially designed road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This course is so new to drivers in the Cup Series, they’ve only been here twice. But some of them have done well in their two visits, and I expect they’ll continue that trend this week. It’s tough to say who will reign supreme this Sunday, but this is an elimination race. The four drivers with the least amount of points will see an end to their championship hopes for another year. Expect drivers to take lots of chances to get into victory lane and the next round.
Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice guiding you to the Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers drivers for the Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win at The Roval
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott rocks at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He finished first and second here in the two May races. And he’s great at the road courses—aside from his two past wins at The Glenn, he won the Daytona Road course in July. In his two races at The Roval, he’s come in first and sixth. If you think he’s gonna lose at this track where he’s done so well, you’ve got another think coming. Expect the No. 9 to tear it up on Sunday.
Wins at The Roval: 1
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 2
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney was the first driver to win the inaugural race at The Roval. Sure, he breezed past Martin Truex and Jimmie Johnson when they wrecked in the final lap, but he was running well enough to do it. He came back the following year and took an eighth place finish. His playoff season may be done, but his quest for another win is not. Don’t be shocked if he takes it on Sunday.
Wins at The Roval: 1
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 2
Kevin Harvick
The last two weeks have been hard on Happy Harvick. But after Denny Hamlin’s win last week, it’s his turn to play catch up. He’s held his own in the last two races here, and earned a top-three spot last time around. It’s quite possible he’ll steal the dreams of a playoff contender by the end of the day on Sunday.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 2
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks
Clint Bowyer
This week, Clint Bowyer announced his racing retirement. He’s moving from the car to the broadcast booth next season, joining his fellow ex-drivers over at FOX. I’m sure he’d love to make it to the next round of the playoffs in his final season, and he has enough experience here to do it. He finished top-five in both prior trips to The Roval and he might just finish stronger when everything’s on the line.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 2
Alex Bowman
Bowman has been quietly creeping up in the last several races, with most of his finishes inside the top-10. Add to that the fact that he finished in fourth place the first time he came here, and second place last year. The No. 88 got the word that he’ll take over the iconic 48 car for Mr. H next season. Do you think he’d like to celebrate with a win in Charlotte?
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top 5 finishes: 2
Top 10 finishes: 2
Matt DiBenedetto
Even though Matty D isn’t in the playoffs, he’s had an impressive season. A late-race penalty took away his second-place finish last week but he ran a great race and almost grabbed his first win. It was announced this week that Matty D has signed on for one more year with Wood Brothers, but he’ll need to find a new ride for 2022. A win at The Roval would certainly help in his quest for a new team. He finished just outside the top-10 in both races, and with his current hot-streak going, this could be a great victory for the 21.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup this week
Ryan Newman
It’s always amazing to think of what Ryan Newman went through at The Daytona 500 in February—and that he came back to the track ready to go in the spring. Having said that, last week’s 6th place finish was his best of the season. I’d let him rest in the pits this week at The Roval, and hang your hopes on 2021.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes:0
William Byron
Poor William Byron has been all over the map this year. He’s been up, he’s been down, and he’s been everywhere in between. I think he’s too fragile right now to make much of an impact in Charlotte, so let him sit it out and wait for a better track down the road.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes:0
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The chips have fallen in the wrong direction for Stenhouse all season. At tracks where he usually dominates, he’s been thrown into a tailspin—literally. Early wrecks have kept him behind the numbers and I don’t expect that to get any better at The Roval on Sunday.
Wins at The Roval: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
