Phoenix Post Practice Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks / Predictions

The Phoenix CampingWorld.com 500 is a relatively short race and drivers might be able to navigate the entire event making only three pit stops. Because it’s a short race it’s a good idea to pick a driver who starts up front (Phoenix Qualifying Results). Starting at the very front isn’t a must though because 6 of the 7 races since the reconfiguration have been won from a driver starting between 9th and 19th. That should tell you the other part of the equation is to obviously pick drivers who have good cars. Our practice notes help make that clear (Happy Hour Notes, Practice #2 Notes). I would also strongly encourage you to look at drivers practice speeds (Happy Hour Speeds, Practice #2 Speeds). We also have a members exclusive Big Board Speed Cheat Sheet which helps you know who was good between the two sessions.

Also I would like to note this is a combined Confidence Ranking / Post Practice Predictions post. Regular posts will resume as normal next week so thanks for understanding. I will note this post has all the information any fantasy racer would ever look to for in making a fantasy NASCAR pick though.

[themify_box ]Want to be a better fantasy racer? Get the ifantasyrace Advantage and read all of our full exclusive content. Join Now![/themify_box]

1) Kevin Harvick Phoenix Fantasy NASCAR Spin – Kevin Harvick is a great fantasy NASCAR pick to win the Phoenix CampingWorld.com 500. The only reason I would point someone away from him is if they want to get out of sync with the competition. An extremely high percentage of fantasy players will be picking him because you can’t overlook his recent Phoenix domination and his momentum. This will be Harvick’s first Phoenix race that he starts on the pole. With his strong car, track position advantage, and best pit stall selection he should be your go to fantasy pick at Phoenix. In Happy Hour Kevin Harvick was extremely fast. In that session he had the best 5 lap, and 10 lap average speeds.
Starting Position – 1st
Risk Level – Low
Track History – Phoenix has been Kevin Harvick’s personal playground. In the last six races he has 4 wins, 5 top two’s, a 4.3 average running position and has the best driver rating by a wide margin. Currently at Phoenix Harvick has three straight wins. In 2014 there’s no debate that Harvick had the best car in each race. In those events his strength was his ability to get back on the throttle quicker than the competition. Last fall he ran a perfect race. He finished 1st, had a 1st place average running position, led 264 laps and earned a rare perfect driver rating. In spring 2014 he was also dominant. In that race he started in 13th and in just 17 laps he reached 4th. On lap 74 he passed Joey Logano for the lead and after that he was untouchable. In that event he led 224 laps, had a 2nd place average running position and came up .1 shy of earning a perfect driver rating. In fall 2013 in an RCR car he also raced his way to victory lane earning the best driver rating and leading 70 laps. His one finish not in the top two over the last six races was in spring 2013. In that event he had a broken left front rotor. In a post-race interview he said he thought he was capable of finishing in the top three. In fall 2013 Harvick didn’t have the best car but he managed to reach victory lane thanks to his expertise at managing restarts. In spring 2012 he got within a few car lengths of Hamlin at the end but ran out of gas on the final lap.
Recent Shorter Flat Track Trends – Last season at shorter flat tracks (Phoenix, New Hampshire and Richmond) Kevin Harvick was a stellar performer. Minus the July New Hampshire race where he ran out of gas he had a 2.8 average running position and a 4.2 average finish. Also in those 5 select races he had the best driver rating by a wide margin and finished in the top 11 every race.
Momentum – Kevin Harvick has six straight results of either 1st or 2nd. Nobody has more momentum than him.
Chassis Selection – No chassis selection information has been reported
NASCAR Odds To Win – 3/1

 2) Joey Logano Phoenix Fantasy NASCAR Spin – Joey Logano is a driver who likely won’t disappoint you if you if he’s on your fantasy team at Phoenix. On Sunday he’ll be starting up front in 2nd. In recent races at Phoenix he’s proven when he starts up front he finishes up front. In the the last three Phoenix races he has an average starting position of 3rd and an average finish of 6.3. Also in each of the last three races he’s averaged leading 40.3 laps per race. When you combine his recent Phoenix strength along with his recent performances at similar tracks you know he’ll be a driver to watch on Sunday. In Happy Hour his ten lap average ranked as the 5th best.
Starting Position – 2nd
Risk Level – Low
Track History – Joey Logano has proven himself as a capable Phoenix performer. Since 2010 minus an engine failure and the Jeff Gordon / Clint Bowyer wreck where he was caught up in the carnage he’s only once finished lower than 11th. In the last three Phoenix races he’s been an elite performer. Over that stretch he has the 3rd best driver rating, a 6.3 average finish, 7.7 average running position and has led 121 laps. Last fall he had a great car and overcame adversity. In that event he started in 4th and on lap 25 he passed Denny Hamlin for the lead. While he was out front he led 17 laps. On lap 122 under yellow his race took a turn for the worst because while he was running in 2nd he left his pit box with his fuel can which dropped him from 2nd to 29th. While he was back in traffic he struggled and even got lapped. On lap 201 he got the “Lucky Dog” and he started moving up through the pack without a high level of difficulty. Over the final 50 laps I would estimate his average running position was around 7th. When the checkered flag waved he finished 6th. In spring 2014 Logano had a very strong showing. He earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position, finished 4th and led 71 laps. Outside of him and Kevin Harvick the next highest laps led leader only paced the field for 6 laps. In fall 2013 in the desert Logano started 3rd, led 33 laps, earned the 5th best driver rating and finished 9th. In his first race in Penske equipment he was running in 11th during the closing laps but ran out of gas which led to his 26th place result.
Recent Shorter Flat Track Trends – Joey Logano was a fantasy NASCAR ace at shorter flat tracks in 2014. At these venues last season minus the July New Hampshire race where he wrecked while running in 2nd he had a 3.6 average finish and a 5.2 average running position. Also it should be noted at this sub-track type last season that he went to victory lane at both tracks similar to Phoenix (New Hampshire and Richmond).
Momentum – Joey Logano is third in points and he has a 5.0 average finish for the young season.
Chassis Selection – No chassis selection information has been reported
NASCAR Odds To Win – 8/1

3) Brad Keselowski Phoenix Fantasy NASCAR Spin – Brad Keselowski hasn’t looked like a contender to win any races this season but he’s been solid every race. At Phoenix I expect Harvick to be the class of the field and Keselowski will fall into the grouping of “The best of the rest”. With him starting up front and his recent Phoenix success you can count on him being a solid fantasy pick. In the Saturday practice sessions he was very quick. In practice #2 he had the best 10 lap average. In Happy Hour his ten lap average ranked as the 4th best.
Starting Position – 6th
Risk Level – Low
Track History – Last year at Phoenix Keselowski was very strong and was one of three drivers who swept the top five. Since 2012 at Phoenix he belongs in the conversation of who’s been the second best performer outside of Kevin Harvick. In the events over this stretch he has the 2nd best driver rating, second best average finish (5.5) and the 2nd best average running position (6.5). Last fall he was a consistent front runner. He started in 2nd, finished 4th, had a 5th place average running position and earned the second best driver rating. In spring 2014 he had an impressive outing. He won the pole, finished 3rd, had a 4th place average running position and earned the 4th best driver rating. In fall 2013 he was strong. He finished 11th, led 29 laps, had a 9th place average running position and earned the 7th best driver rating. In the 2013 spring race he finished 4th, had a 7th place average running position, and earned the 3rd best driver rating. In fall 2012 he had a car that was capable of winning but finished 6th after driving conservative after Johnson pounded the wall. In spring 2012 he finished 5th.
Recent Shorter Flat Track Trends – Last year at shorter flat tracks Keselowski was arguably the strongest performer in the series. At these venues in 2014 he had a 3.3 average finish, 3.8 average running position, won twice, had 5 top fives and is the only driver who finished in the top ten every race.
Momentum – In races this year where his engine has gone the distance he has results of 7th and 9th.
Chassis Selection – No chassis selection information has been reported
NASCAR Odds To Win – 7/1