Darlington Bojangles Southern 500 Fantasy Confidence Ranking Picks

1) Jeff Gordon – Points leader Jeff Gordon is a good fantasy NASCAR pick for the Darlington Bojangles Southern 500 who you can feel confident about picking. The “Lady In Black” has been a good track for him throughout his career. It’s been such a good venue for him it belongs in the conversation of being his best track. At Darlington he’s a won 7 times, has a 11.5 average finish, led 1,736 laps and has had a result in the top ten 58% percent of the time. Since 2006 he’s scored the most points, has the best driver rating, best average running position and the 2nd best average finish (8.1). Last year at Darlington Jeff Gordon had a great race. He finished 3rd, earned the 4th best driver rating, had a 6th place average running position and led 16 laps. In 2012 Jeff Gordon had an eventful race and had 3 flat tires around the midpoint within 30 laps. In 2011 he finished 12th. In the seven Darlington races prior to that he had seven straight top five results. Jeff Gordon’s odds to win on Saturday night are 8/1. That seems low considering five drivers have better odds to win. The chassis he’s piloting is brand new. In practice Jeff Gordon looked good on the track and he’s very happy about his ride this week. His confidence in an interview after the first practice session seemed very telling about how strong he is. His ten lap average in practice #1 ranked as the 10th best. Look for him to be at his best over long green flag runs. In the Darlington Bojangles Southern 500 Gordon will start in 9th.

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2) Kyle Busch – Last season at Darlington Kyle Busch had a dominant performance but came up short at the end due to a flat tire in the closing laps. With 14 laps to go he was in the lead but when the checkered flag waved he faded back to 6th. In the race last season he led 265 laps, earned the best driver rating, and had a 1st place average running position. In the event nobody had anything for him especially during a long green flag run. In 2012 at Darlington he was also strong. In that race he earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position, finished 4th and led 78 laps. In 2011 he led 78 laps and earned the 3rd best driver rating. In 2008 Kyle Busch led 169 laps and raced his way to victory lane at Darlington. Kyle Busch’s odds to win are currently listed at 7/1. In practice #1 Kyle Busch was very quick. His ten lap average for the session ranked as the third best. On Saturday night Kyle Busch will start in 8th. I expect him to drive to the front quickly.

Recommended Reading: Post Practice Predictions (another post Happy Hour fantasy take), Average Speed Ranking Cheat Sheet, Practice Notes, Practice Speeds, Starting Lineup, PROS Rankings, Scouting Report

3) Brad Keselowski – The #2 team has been one of the strongest teams on a week to week basis this season. I don’t see any reason why that trend won’t continue in the Darlington Bojangles Southern 500. Penske Racing has perhaps the best handle on the current rules package and it’s always smart in fantasy racing to pick guys who have an advantage on the field. The odds makers recognize this and his odds to win are currently 7/1. The chassis he’ll be driving on Sunday is once again brand new. Darlington has been a strong track for Keselowski. I would encourage you to overlook last years race. In that event his crew chief was suspended, he made an unexpected pit stop under green and then he was involved in an accident with 57 laps to go. Minus his performance last year he has a 9.3 average finish at Darlington. In 2011 Keselowski had his best Darlington race and finished 3rd. In his first Darlington start he finished 7th. In practice #1 Keselowski was very fast and posted the best 10 lap average speed. On Saturday night Brad Keselowski will start in 5th.