I am having a difficult time trying to figure out who has it, and who doesn’t, this season. NASCAR 2022 will go down in my book as a crazier season than the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Past experience be damned; hot streak be damned. This season, the only thing you can pretty much count on is the cold streak: if they aren’t at least a little bit warm, they aren’t gonna suddenly heat up. Those who run well run well and those who don’t just don’t. Sounds crazy, you say? Agree. It’s the perfect description of the NASCAR fantasy advice I have to dig up and dish out each week.
Last week, Tyler Reddick wasn’t even on my radar for a win at the Road America course. Yet, how many times has he graced the list for other tracks? At least Chase Elliot showed up and did his very best to stay on top of the pack, finishing second. This week, the boys head to Atlanta for the second time this season. But can we count on cold spring track numbers to resemble the hot summer track numbers to come? It’s a whole different climate and a whole other ball of wax to melt, strain, dissect, and reshape into a proper list of drivers who have the possibility of bringing the heat to Atlanta on Sunday.
As I gaze into my Magic 8 Ball, signs point to these brilliant, bold, and bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks for the Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Ryan Blaney
Good ole Ryan Blaney. He’s so versatile, with the ability to run short, road, and intermediate tracks with ease. You can’t say a bad word about the guy: he’s nice as can be. And he saved at the pump! Always good for points and a possible win, the number 12 is a smart bet in any NASCAR fantasy lineup this week.
Wins in Atlanta: 1
Top five finishes: 3
Top ten finishes: 3
Martin Truex Jr.
I’m not saying that the number 19 is a shoo-in for the win, but I’m here to tell ya that he’s going to put in a solid afternoon. With only one exception, Martin Truex Jr. has finished in the single digits at this track since 2012. That’s a whole lotta races ending in the top 10. You can bet on some stage points, laps led, and a good finish when this Atlanta race is over.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top five finishes: 6
Top ten finishes: 13
Ross Chastain
Single-digit finishes four weeks in a row; that’s what Ross Chastain has been up to. This track works a little bit like a superspeedway, which he’s been known to conquer. The last time around he came in second. Betcha he’d like to come in first this time. And he very well might.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top five finishes: 1
Top ten finishes: 1
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Kurt Busch
When it comes to the Busch brothers, this is the one I feel most comfortable with in Atlanta. He finished third here in the spring and first at this race a year ago. Though I worry a tiny bit about his four DNFs, his numbers here have been spectacular, even after the track redo. Plenty of stage points and laps led make him a viable option for NASCAR fantasy this week.
Wins in Atlanta: 4
Top five finishes: 9
Top ten finishes: 17
Alex Bowman
Alex Bowman has had a rough go in these last few weeks, but 12th place at Road America was way better than anyone expected of him, so maybe he’s coming back around. Atlanta is a great track for the 48 Team, so ya may as well give him a chance in your fantasy lineup this weekend.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top five finishes: 2
Top ten finishes: 3
Daniel Suárez
Yeah, last time around he finished fourth. And he’s been riding high since his win three races ago. The newest faces of NASCAR fantasy are the ones who show up every week, and Daniel Suárez is one of ‘em.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top five finishes: 1
Top ten finishes: 2
Bonkers – Stay away from these drivers in your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week
Aric Almirola
Aric Almirola burst out of the gate hot, then cooled, then fell into a slump. Where he has remained. Take a pass on the number 10 until he hits a track where he’s been more successful.
Wins in Atlanta: 0
Top five finishes: 0
Top ten finishes: 2
Brad Keselowski
You may be tempted to stick with Brad Keselowski based on his impressive numbers in Atlanta. Not so fast. Have you seen his season thus far? Take a pass on the driver of the number 6 car this week. And maybe every week until 2023. Just sayin’.
Wins in Atlanta: 2
Top five finishes: 4
Top ten finishes: 9
Kevin Harvick
Whoo-wee, I’m callin ‘em as I see ‘em this week! Though I would love for Happy Harvick to get a win at this track where he’s been so successful in the past, I don’t see it happening. I don’t know what the number 4 has left in him, but unless the planets align on Sunday over Atlanta, you’re better off taking a pass on The Hapster.
Wins in Atlanta: 3
Top five finishes: 9
Top ten finishes: 16
