Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win in Atlanta
Kevin Harvick
Since 2008, Kevin Harvick has only finished outside the top-10 in Atlanta three times. This shows how consistent he is here, and it gives me an inclination of how he’ll finish this week. He’s had a difficult time getting into the lead spot so far this season, not to mention holding it for the final lap, but he took home the trophy here last season so this might be the race that gets him on a roll and sets up a win.
Wins in Atlanta: 3
Top 5 finishes: 9
Top 10 finishes: 15
Martin Truex Jr.
Wow, the No. 19 was hard to beat last week in Phoenix. A man on a hot streak is tough to ignore, so this would be a great opportunity to make it a back-to-back victory. Though Martin Truex Jr. hasn’t won at this track before, he’s been impressive here since 2011. Look for another top finish from this team with a good possibility of another win.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top 5 finishes: 5
Top 10 finishes: 10
Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski has been inching his way closer to a win in the last two races this season. Atlanta is one of his better tracks, with top-10 results in the last six years. As long as his pits are clean, I suspect that the No. 2 is going to step up again on Sunday and get Team Penske’s first win of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Wins in Atlanta: 2
Top 5 finishes: 4
Top 10 finishes: 8
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for Atlanta
Kurt Busch
Much like Harvick, Kurt Bush has finished in the top ten in Atlanta since 2008 with the exception of three races. This is a hot track for the No. 1—and there’s a good chance he’ll finish in that same spot. Though the last two weeks have been disappointing, look for a comeback from the older Busch brother on Sunday.
Wins in Atlanta: 3
Top 5 finishes: 7
Top 10 finishes: 15
Kyle Larson
I do feel funny including Kyle Larson again this week because you know darn well that he’s gonna be a brilliant pick on the Bristol dirt next week. But he’s been so consistent these past few races, and I feel like that’s going to keep translating into something good. If anyone is desperate to prove their worth, it’s this No. 5 team. I won’t be surprised to see him take another victory lap on Sunday.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 3
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott has been decent at this Atlanta track, though he still lacks a win. But he’s starting up near the front and that might make a difference. Last week he started sixth and finished fifth. Maybe with a fifth-place start, he’ll be able to wind up and make the pass when it counts.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 4
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup for Atlanta this week
Alex Bowman
It usually takes Alex Bowman a little bit of time to warm up before he kicks some butt in the season. To that end, this is definitely not the place for him to get started. Unless there’s a lot of big wrecks and engine failures for everyone else, I don’t expect the No. 48 to fly through for a spectacular finish in Atlanta.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace is still finding his footing with this new team, though last week his finish was better than it’s been since the Daytona 500. Don’t count out the No. 23 in the future, but don’t count him in for a spectacular run in Atlanta.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
Michael McDowell
The last two weeks have been unkind to Daytona 500 Champ Michael McDowell. Though his season is far from over, Atlanta hasn’t been the best place for the No. 34 and it’s unlikely to get much better for him this week. Keep him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup until he gets to a better track.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
