Charlotte Bank Of America 500 Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks

1) Kyle Busch (Starting – 2nd) (Odds To Win – 6/1)
Charlotte Fantasy Outlook – Kyle Busch is a fantasy stud at Charlotte. He’s never won here but ranks as one of the best drivers. When you read his Charlotte track history below you’ll know what I’m talking about. This year at 1.5 mile tracks he’s been extremely strong and in the three events he’s competed in he’s led the most laps, has the best average running position, has run the 3rd most fastest laps and has a slightly misleading 7th place average finish. With him starting in 2nd you know he’ll be a factor. In practice Kyle Busch was quick. In Happy Hour his ten lap average speed ranked as the 8th best and in practice #2 it ranked as the 2nd best.
Charlotte Track History – Charlotte has been a great track for Kyle Busch. He’s never won here but since 2008 be belongs in the conversation of being the strongest performer. Since then minus an accident and an engine failure he has a 5.1 average finish and a 6.9 average running position. Currently in the fall Charlotte race Busch has 5 straight top fives. This spring in his first race back from injury he was top five good but finished 11th due to the fuel mileage aspect at the end. Last fall he was competitive throughout the race. He started on the pole, finished 5th, had a 5th place average running position and led 41 laps. In spring 2014 he started in the rear of the field and parlayed it into a 9th place finish. In fall 2013 he finished 5th which is remarkable when you consider he had to overcome a loose wheel. In spring 2013 he had one of the strongest cars but finished 38th. In that race he had a damaged car (TV camera lines fell on the track) and his engine blew up. That evening he led 65 laps and earned the 7th best driver rating. Before his motor blew up I would estimate that his average running position was around 3rd. Prior to that race he had 7 straight top tens.
Recent Similar Track Trends – Kyle Busch has been in three races at 1.5 mile tracks and in all three events he’s been stellar. Performance wise he’s been top five good every race. For the season at these venues he has a 4.0 average running position, 7.0 average finish and has led 284 laps.
Momentum – Since Bristol minus New Hampshire where he wrecked while running well Kyle Busch has a 5.6 average finish.

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2) Kevin Harvick (Starting – 11th) (Odds To Win – 7/2)
Charlotte Fantasy Outlook – Kevin Harvick will be a good fantasy NASCAR pick to win at Charlotte. This year at 1.5 mile tracks he’s consistently been the driver to beat. When you add in the fact he’s been especially strong at Charlotte I think the competition could be in big trouble. In the Charlotte Bank Of America 500 he’s starting in 11th. In spring 2014 he also started in that position and parlayed it into a 2nd place finish. In practice Kevin Harvick had a quick car and his team was happy with how it performed. In Happy Hour his ten lap average ranked as the 3rd best.
Charlotte Track History – Kevin Harvick has been a stellar performer at Charlotte. Since he won in 2011 he’s been the strongest driver. In the nine races since he first went to victory lane here he has the best driver rating, best average finish (5.6) and is tied for having the best average running position (8.6). This spring he had a great car and was top five good until fuel entered the equation at the end. When the checkered flag waved he finished 9th, earned the 3rd best driver rating, had a 5th place average running position and led 26 laps. Last fall Kevin Harvick dominated the race and once he took the lead it was “game over” for the competition. In the race he earned the best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position and led 162 laps. In May 2014 he finished runner-up but he might’ve had the best car. With about a quarter of the race remaining he pitted under green but was then burned when the caution came out. Prior to pitting he was running in 2nd. That dropped him back to 15th. Over the final 20 laps he drove hard and rallied from 11th up to his runner-up result. Also in that race it should be noted he earned the 2nd best driver rating and led 100 laps. In fall 2013 he had a great car. He started 2nd, had an 11th place average running position and finished 6th. In spring 2013 Harvick raced his way to victory lane after making a late pass on Kasey Kahne who was at a tire disadvantage.
Recent Similar Track Trends – Kevin Harvick has been very strong at 1.5 mile tracks in 2015. For the season at these venues he’s led the most laps (443) and has run the most fastest laps (291). At 1.5 mile tracks minus Chicagoland he has a 4.0 average finish and a 4.3 average running position.
Momentum – Kevin Harvick came up big at Dover and went to victory lane. In the three races prior to his win he finished outside the top ten.

Further Recommended Reading – Practice Speed Cheat Sheet, Happy Hour Notes, Happy Hour Speeds, Practice #2 Notes, Practice #2 Speeds, PROS Rankings, Scouting Report, Qualifying Results, Asterisk Mark Report, Fantasy Stats at 1.5 Mile Tracks, DraftKings Points From The Last Race At Charlotte

3) Matt Kenseth (Starting – 1st) (Odds To Win – 7/1)
Charlotte Fantasy Outlook – Matt Kenseth will be one of the drivers to beat on Saturday night. He’s starting on the pole and that’s a big advantage. That’s the same position he started this spring and parlayed it into a 4th place finish. In the four races he’s started first in 2015 he has a 3.25 average finish. Currently the last three pole sitters at Charlotte have finished in the top five. In the 20 car at Charlotte Matt Kenseth has been a fantasy ace and has been top 5 strong in 4 of his 5 races. This season at tracks that correlate to success at Charlotte, he’s ranked as one of the strongest. In Happy Hour the #20 team showed good speed and their ten lap average ranked as the 4th quickest in the session. His 15 lap average ranked as the 9th best.
Charlotte Track History – Matt Kenseth runs well at Charlotte. He’s won here twice and has finished in the top ten 53% percent of the time. In three of the last four Charlotte races he’s finished in the top four. This spring he started on the pole, finished 4th and led 26 laps. His result is somewhat inflated from the fuel mileage strategy aspect at the end. In the race his average running position was 10th and he earned the 10th best driver rating. Last fall he had a tough race and finished 19th. Right before the green flag NASCAR penalized the #20 team for moving around stickers and forced them to start in the rear of the field. That greatly increased his level of difficulty. He was only able to race up to about 20th on his own merit. The key moment for him in the race was with about 67 laps to go. During that caution he elected for just two tires and that got him up to 4th. It was a short term gain because on the restart he had contact with Keselowski which damaged his car. He quickly plummeted from 4th to 18th in just a few laps. After that he was no longer competitive. When the checkered flag waved he finished 19th and had a 22nd place average running position. In spring 2014 he had one of his best races of the season. He finished 3rd, earned the 3rd best driver rating, had a 5th place average running position and led 33 laps. In 2013 he was competitive in both races. In October 2013 he finished 3rd and earned the 5th best driver rating. In spring 2013 he had perhaps the strongest car but got burned by a caution while leading and then was involved in a wreck. When the checkered flag waved he finished 15th, had a 5th place average running position, earned the 5th best driver rating and led 112 laps.
Recent Similar Track Trends – Matt Kenseth has been successful at 1.5 mile tracks this year. At these venues he’s scored the 4th most points, has an 8.1 average finish and has only once had a result outside the top ten. In the last two races at 1.5 mile tracks he’s finished 5th.
Momentum – Matt Kenseth has four straight top tens. In the three Chase races he’s scored the most points and has a 4.3 average finish.