Here are my Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this week’s EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win at Circuit of the Americas
Martin Truex Jr.
There’s no way I can exclude Martin Truex Jr. from this week’s race at the Circuit of the Americas road course. Though his finishes at the Daytona Road Course left much to be desired, his average at all other tracks over the past few seasons is tough to beat. Look for a good show from the No. 19 this weekend.
Wins at Road Courses: 4
Top-5 finishes: 11
Top-10 finishes: 17
Kevin Harvick
In 43 road races, Kevin Harvick has only one DNF. That’s pretty impressive. He’s scored big on road courses many times in the past with two wins to show for it. 2020 wasn’t the best for the No. 4 on road courses, but prior to that, he was a master for five years. There’s a solid chance that Harvick heads to victory lane at Circuit of the Americas this week for his long-awaited win of 2021.
Wins at Road Courses: 2
Top-5 finishes: 10
Top-10 finishes: 23
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott has the best record of all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers right now. As the only Hendricks driver without a win this season, there’s no better place for the 2020 NASCAR Champ to get his first victory than the Circuit of the Americas.
Wins at Road Courses: 5
Top-5 finishes: 6
Top-10 finishes: 8
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for Circuit of the Americas
Kyle Busch
There’s practice and qualifying this weekend! And that makes me think that Kyle Busch will get in the runs he needs to learn this new track. When Busch has practice, there’s no telling what he’ll do. With a road course record like this, the No. 18 is my NASCAR sleeper fantasy pick for Circuit of the Americas.
Wins at Road Courses: 4
Top-5 finishes: 11
Top-10 finishes: 19
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney won the first-ever race at the Charlotte Roval, showing that he’s comfortable and competent on new tracks. While he hasn’t been great at the Daytona Road Course, he’s the top at Sonoma, Roval, and the Glen. Look for an impressive finish from the No. 12 at Circuit of the Americas.
Wins at Road Courses: 1
Top-5 finishes: 4
Top-10 finishes: 7
Denny Hamlin
Sonoma, circa 2016: Denny Hamlin found his footing at a road course. And he hasn’t stopped gaining ground. With impressive finishes at the Daytona Road Course races in February and last August, I think he has a great opportunity here to make something happen. If (and it’s a big if) he can stay out of trouble and have clean pit stops all the way.
Wins at Road Courses: 1
Top-5 finishes: 10
Top-10 finishes: 15
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup for Circuit of the Americas this week
Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell started this season hot with a Daytona 500 win. He then went on to finish in eighth place at the Daytona Road Course. But when the Cup Series left Florida, so did the No 34’s hot streak. With six DNFs on road courses and low numbers like this, I don’t see a win happening this week.
Wins at Road Courses: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 2
Aric Almirola
The road course may be the bane of Aric Almirola’s existence. He’s never quite been able to master them in all of his years on the circuit. For this reason, it’s best to keep him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup on Sunday.
Wins at Road Courses: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 2
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Save Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for the superspeedways. This is another driver who hasn’t had luck with the road course in the past, so I’d leave him in the pits for Circuit of the Americas.
Wins at Road Courses: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
