Last week’s Bold NASCAR fantasy pick Ross Chastain took his first trip to Victory Lane after an impressive win that left road course champ, A.J. Allmendinger, in the dust, and hot-Hendrick driver Alex Bowman singing the second-place blues. Meanwhile, road course experts like Harvick, Logano, and Hamlin had to settle for much less than the best. This week proves no exception to the new rule: the up-and-comers are here to make a name for themselves as the veteran drivers still try to figure out how to handle these NextGen cars.
These changes make the 2022 NASCAR fantasy season as tricky to navigate for the experts as it is for the drivers, but we follow the trends and do diligent research. Don’t expect to see the usual suspects at the finish lines each week until we run the gamut of track types and everyone gains a solid footing.
This week, I’m looking at the drivers who are finally getting a grip on the new packages and dynamics. The fantasy NASCAR picks for this week include some fresh drivers, some seasoned, and some riding a hot streak. The one thing they all have in common is: they’ve figured out a way to make the changes work for them.
Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Martin Truex Jr.
Of all the veteran drivers, it seems like Martin Truex Jr. is the one who is getting a grip on these new cars; each week he’s more comfortable behind the wheel. Richmond is one of his very best tracks—it’s rare that he doesn’t lead over 100 laps each time around and rarer still that he doesn’t get stage points. If this is the week Gibbs gets its first win of the 2022 NASCAR season, it’s gonna come from the No. 19.
Richmond Wins: 3
Top-5 finishes: 8
Top-10 finishes: 14
Alex Bowman
Alex Bowman already has one win this season, but that didn’t make it hurt any less finishing in second place last week at COTA. Bowman really wanted that win, and he hung tight with Chastain to the very end. There’s a good chance that the No. 48 will finish second to Truex this week, but he’s running well this season, and he might end up as the first driver to win two races if everything goes his way.
Richmond Wins: 1
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 2
Kyle Busch
Sure, I’m a tiny bit skeptical based on the performance of the 18 so far this season. But how can you ignore the fact that Kyle Busch has only finished outside the top-10 here seven times since 2005? That’s in 32 races! If Rowdy is going to kick butt and take names, he’s gonna do it here in Richmond.
Richmond Wins: 6
Top-5 finishes: 18
Top-10 finishes: 25
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Tyler Reddick
You might be looking at all of the zeros that represent Tyler Reddick’s history at Richmond, but don’t let them fool you. He’s been here three times, and two of those finishes were in the teens.. This is the No. 8’s time to shine, and you can count on him to push it hard each and every week until he gets a win—the way he’s going, it’s only a matter of time until he does.
Richmond Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
Christopher Bell
Chris Bell has been knocked around a lot this season and his numbers aren’t really indicative of his talent. He forced his way back through the pack time after time last week at COTA, and one has to wonder if this is when he starts to warm up. His numbers at Richmond Raceway are sweet; he finished in the top five the last two times here, and he led 10 laps last time around. His Gibbs’ teammates are all fantastic at this track, and maybe they can work together to push the No. 20 to the finish line.
Richmond Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 2
Aric Almirola
Last season, Aric Almirola ended up in my bonkers category more times than anyone would care to remember. This season he has turned things around so fast that he’s continually on my radar. I like the No. 10’s chances here, especially since he ran well the last few times he was in town.
Richmond Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 7
Bonkers – Stay away from these drivers in your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week
Michael McDowell
Don’t bother with the No. 34 team when you set your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week. In 21 trips to Richmond, Michael McDowell has managed 10 DNFs and not one top-10 finish. Hold out until the superspeedways for this guy.
Richmond Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes:0
Chris Buescher
Once upon a time, Chris Beuscher finished with a high of 17th at Richmond. But that was long ago, and everything since has been in the 20s and 30s. Hold up on the No. 17 this weekend.
Richmond Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
Ryan Blaney
Ryan Blaney has a tough time in Richmond. He’s gotten better in the last two trips here, finishing 10th and 11th, but that’s nowhere near good enough to garner a place on your NASCAR fantasy team this week. Take a pass on the No. 12.
Richmond Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 1
