Fantasy NASCAR Asterisk Mark Report – Daytona (2018 Daytona 500)

Kurt Busch – Kurt Busch had a great chance to win back to back Daytona 500’s, but his race wasn’t incident free. With two laps to go while he was running in the top five he wrecked. With 4 laps to go he was the race leader. Additionally, it should be noted he won Stage #1 and led 16 laps. His late wreck doomed him to a 26th place finish.

Don’t be a pretender, become a contender and get the ifantasyrace advantage. Join Now!

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had a competitive car, but finished a misleading 29th. He had engine overheating issues which ruined his afternoon. On lap 112 while he was running in the top five he pitted to cool his engine and this dropped him multiple laps down. Two laps prior to his problem he was he was running in 4th. Near the end, not that it mattered he was caught up in a “Big One.” Prior to his problem it should be noted he led 11 laps and finished 4th in Stage #1.

Alex Bowman – Alex Bowman was a top ten contender in the Daytona 500 but finished a misleading 17th. Late in the race while he was running in the top ten he was collected in the “Big One.” Two laps before wrecking he was running in 8th. Additionally, it should be noted he had the 2nd best average running position (8th), led 13 laps, finished 2nd in Stage #1 and finished just outside the top ten in Stage #2.

Martin Truex Jr. – Martin Truex Jr. had a strong showing in the Daytona 500. He finished 5th in Stage #1, 6th in Stage #2, but near the end he was caught up in the “Big One.” With 6 laps to go, which was 4 laps before the final “Big One” he was running in 5th. The wreck doomed him to an 18th place finish.

Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch had a fast car in the Daytona 500, but his race wasn’t incident free. On lap 29 while he was running in the top five he had a flat tire and made an unexpected pit stop. On lap 50 he had another flat tire and this time DJ Kennington clipped the back of his car which damaged the 18, dooming him to a 25th place finish. If his race would’ve been incident free I think he would’ve been very competitive.

Erik Jones – Erik Jones, “That Jones boy” had a good car in the Daytona 500 but finished an asterisk mark 36th. On the last lap of Stage #1 a “Big One” ensued near the front of the pack and he was collected in the carnage. Two laps prior to wrecking he was running in 2nd. Also from the race it should be noted he led 11 laps. If his race would’ve been incident free its safe to assume he would’ve been a top ten contender.

Jimmie Johnson – In the Daytona 500, Jimmie Johnson started in the rear of the field but he had no trouble advancing in the running order. Unfortunately his race wasn’t incident free. During the final lap of Stage #1 while running in the top five he wrecked in the “Big One”. If his race would’ve been incident free he likely would’ve been a top ten contender.

Daniel Suarez – Daniel Suarez showed potential in the Daytona 500 but his race was cut short. On the final lap in Stage #1 he wrecked. Two laps prior to wrecking he was running in 5th.

Ty Dillon – Ty Dillon wrecked during the final lap of Stage #1 and it marked the end of his race. Two laps prior to wrecking he was running in 15th. For much of the race prior to his problem he ran in the teens.

Kasey Kahne – Kasey Kahne showed potential at Daytona, but he had problems twice. On lap 18 while he was running in 5th he made an evasive maneuver down pit road which dropped him back to 37th. Later on lap 101 while he was running around 10th he wrecked which led to his 34th place finish.

Clint Bowyer – Clint Bowyer finished 15th, but its hard to say how good he truly was. At the midway point he was down a cylinder. Prior to his problem he ran in the top ten.

Aric Almirola – Aric Almirola had a great chance to win the Daytona 500. Unfortunately his race wasn’t incident free and on the last lap while leading he was wrecked which led to his 11th place finish. Over about the final 50 laps he ran 10th or better and near the end he creeped to the front.

Chase Elliott – Chase Elliott was a strong competitor in the Daytona 500. On lap 101 while he was battling Brad Keselowski for 2nd he wrecked. If his race would’ve been incident free I think he would’ve been very competitive.

Brad Keselowski – Brad Keselowski was a strong competitor in the Daytona 500. On lap 101 while he was battling for 2nd with Chase Elliott he wrecked. If his race would’ve been incident free I think he would’ve been very competitive.

Kevin Harvick – Kevin Harvick ran well but while he was running in the top five on lap 101 he was collected in the carnage when Keselowski and Elliott crashed.

David Ragan – David Ragan is at his best at plate tracks. He showed potential in the Daytona 500 but his race wasn’t incident free. On lap 101 he was collected in the mass carnage when Keselowski and Elliott crashed. One lap prior to wrecking he was running in 8th.

Matt DiBenedetto – Matt DiBenedetto almost snuck in a top ten in the Daytona 500. Unfortunately he wrecked with two laps to go which led to his 27th place finish. With 4 laps to go he was in 6th.

Brendan Gaughan – In 2017 at Daytona, Brendan Gaughan escaped with results of 7th and 11th. In this years season opening Daytona 500 he almost snuck in another good result but he was caught up in the “Big One” with 2 laps to go. Two laps prior to wrecking he was running in 7th.