Daytona 500 Fantasy NASCAR “Top Tier Elite” Deadline Analysis Picks

Kevin Harvick – So far during Speedweeks Kevin Harvick is two for two. He won the Sprint Unlimited and his Duel Race. Because of his performances in these two races he’s viewed by many experts and Las Vegas as the favorite to win the Daytona 500. In both of his wins there’s one common factor, and that’s his car. All week long Harvick has piloted RCR chassis No. 407. It’s a brand new chassis and it’s certainly a good one. On Thursday during his duel race Kevin Harvick was impressive. He used the bottom line of the track and drove to the lead. Once he got there no one could get around him just like on Saturday night. What really makes his win on Thursday meaningful is that he’ll get to start near the front of the pack (Daytona 500 starting order). In this Daytona 500 track position will be key. Like I said earlier this week in my “Top Tier Elite” Picks post I can’t fault anyone for making Harvick their default pick because he’s one of the best in the business at plate racing.

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Matt Kenseth – Matt Kenseth won’t be sleeping on anyone on Sunday. He’s a two-time Daytona 500 champion and last year on plate tracks he had a 2.0 average finish. So far during Speedweeks Kenseth has looked good. In the Sprint Unlimited he had a strong car but couldn’t get help. In his Duel Race once again he looked good but didn’t have help. When there’s a full field of 43 cars on the track that problem likely won’t exist. One aspect about the #20 car that should be noted is that it can make moves on the bottom line. That’s important because it’ll be the primary way to pass drivers.

Tony Stewart – Stewart will be a contender for the win in the Daytona 500. He’s won at this venue four times and is the most recent winner. None of his wins have come in the “Great American Race” but like I said in a earlier post this week he’s due. In the Sprint Unlimited Tony Stewart had one of the strongest cars. He was aggressive and used his drafting ability to get to get to the front of the pack and stay there. In his Duel Race Stewart wasn’t competitive but I wouldn’t worry about that. For much of the race he played “body guard” for Danica Patrick and she had no intention of racing hard.