Last week’s Bold Pick Chase Elliott pulled off his first win of the 2022 NASCAR season, though it was far from an easy task. After a weather delay forced a Monday restart, it was chaos on the track: caution after caution, lost wheels, wall hits, pit road penalties, lead changes, and last-minute pushes. But NASCAR Champion Chase Elliot held on and earned his spot in the playoffs with this well-deserved victory.
Week after week, different drivers continue to surprise and shake up NASCAR fantasy; after all, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was a bonkers fantasy pick, having never even finished in the top-five, let alone second place. Everything is up for grabs this season, but it sure is interesting! I’m still a firm believer that when you’re hot, you’re hot—until you just aren’t anymore. And therefore, I present my NASCAR fantasy picks for this week’s throwback race at Darlington Raceway.
Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Martin Truex Jr.
This week’s brilliant picks will look quite similar to last week’s picks. Truex might have finished better in Dover had he not gotten into a last-minute tiff with Ross Chastain. The No 19 has been running well, for the most part, and with his sweet record at Darlington, he’s a good NASCAR fantasy pick again this week.
Darlington Wins: 2
Top 5 finishes: 4
Top 10 finishes: 10
Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson may have finished sixth last week, but it was a crazy race and he overcame plenty of obstacles to get there. I know that the No 5 has it in him just about every week, and there’s a good chance you’ll see some good numbers from him when NASCAR hits Darlington. He’s finished in second place the last three times here, third before that, has led over 600 laps, and has won tons of stages. It’s probably gonna happen this weekend.
Darlington Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 5
Top 10 finishes: 7
Denny Hamlin
I am so torn about putting the Number 11 in this spot, but you can’t argue with the numbers. All this and he’s led over 700 laps. Oh, and no DNFs (yet-knock on wood). We all know that Denny is a top driver, but his pit crew needs to step it up this week in order to give him some stage points, a good finish, and maybe even another win.
Darlington Wins: 4
Top 5 finishes: 11
Top 10 finishes: 15
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Ross Chastain
Has anyone actually looked at Ross Chastain’s numbers this season? Crazy! Daytona and Auto Club were rough, but this guy has finished with single digits in seven of the last nine races. Seriously! He may win, he may not, but count on the Number 1 to bring you some good stage points either way.
Darlington Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 1
Erik Jones
Yep. This is one track where the driver where the 43 has plenty of experience and lots of good luck. Last time around he had engine trouble, but his car looks better than ever this year. And, he has slowly been moving into a warm streak. I’m giving Erik Jones the benefit of the doubt as we head into throwback weekend in Darlington.
Darlington Wins: 1
Top 5 finishes: 4
Top 10 finishes: 6
Alex Bowman
Alex Bowman has my vote for a special run this weekend. He’s led a few laps here and grabbed a bunch of stage points, though he’s never sealed the deal with a win. I expect a good finish, though, so consider him as an alternate fantasy choice in your lineup.
Darlington Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 2
Bonkers – Stay away from these drivers in your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week
Daniel Suárez
Daniel Suárez’s numbers aren’t really indicative of how well he’s performed through each lap this season. Unfortunately, he ends up with some rough finishes. This is not a good track from his past, and I don’t foresee a much better end in the present
Darlington Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
Ryan Blaney
I’m going to say that, yes, Ryan Blaney has been amazing this season. But, this is not the place to pick him for your NASCAR fantasy team. Save him for next time around.
Darlington Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 1
Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace runs well midway through the race; you’ll often see him up in the middle teens. But, there’s always something that knocks him back for a high finish. So, I’d advise you to leave him in the pits at throwback weekend.
Darlington Wins: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
