Daytona 500 Post Practice Fantasy NASCAR Predictions

Well, all of the on-track activity has been completed–including the EIGHT practice sessions–and now we just have one event left: the 2016 Great American Race. And if the Sprint Unlimited and the Can-Am Duel races have taught us anything this week, it’s that this year’s Daytona 500 is going to be a lot more predictable than those in years past. I expect this to be a tame race on Sunday with maybe a crash or two at the end, and it will be those wrecks that will affect fantasy rosters. All you can do at these restrictor plate tracks is pick the fastest cars and hope for the best so that’s what we’re going to do. You can view the starting lineup here and all of the practice speeds along with our notes here.

Finally, don’t forget to check out Fantasy Racing Online and their great Fantasy NASCAR Games and Leagues! There’s over $10,000 up for grabs this season, so get in on the fun now. Also, the entry fees are just one-time for the entire season!

[themify_box ]

Don’t be a pretender, become a CONTENDER. Get all of ifantasyrace’s exclusive content for just $2 per race.  Click here to join Now!

[/themify_box]

Final Top 15 Ranking For The 2016 Daytona 500:

1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – Starts 3rd – Yahoo! A Group

You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone that doesn’t have Dale Earnhardt, Jr. ranked #1 for this year’s Daytona 500. He’s the king of restrictor plate racing (for now) and has been unstoppable in the Great American Race over the last few years; in the last four Daytona 500s, Junior has 3rd, 1st, 2nd, and 2nd. He also won last year’s July race here and cruised to victory in his Duel race this season. This #88 Chevrolet is tuned up and ready to go for Sunday, and Earnhardt is exactly where he wants to be to start the race: up front. I expect Junior to lead the most laps on Sunday and definitely be in the mix when the checkered flag flies. You can make a strong case for picking Earnhardt in any and all leagues this week.

2. Denny Hamlin – Starts 11th – Yahoo! A Group

I wrote earlier this week that Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s reign on restrictor plates might have a challenger in Denny Hamlin. You can read my full article on that here. Statistically, Denny has been right there with Dale over the last two seasons at Daytona, as the former hasn’t finished worse than 6th in last four points-paying races here. What Hamlin lacks at this track is a visit to victory lane–at least in a race that counts. Hamlin dominated the Sprint Unlimited last weekend and put the whole garage on notice that the #11 Toyota is a legitimate contender to win this year’s Daytona 500. He starts 11th on Sunday and should be fighting for the lead early and often. I can’t rank him 1st for my Predictions but I have a gut feeling that we see Denny in victory lane on Sunday.

3. Joey Logano – Starts 5th – Yahoo! A Group

Quite a few people seem to forget that the defending Daytona 500 champion is Joey Logano. This #22 Ford hasn’t lost any speed from last season and maybe it’s a good thing that Joey is flying under the radar a little bit. I mean it’s a good thing because you’re reading this and being reminded that he will be a contender here on Sunday. Logano has had a great Speedweeks thus far and is poised to have another strong showing in the Great American Race on Sunday. After finishing 2nd in last weekend’s Sprint Unlimited, Joey went out and finished 2nd in his Duel race on Thursday as well–which is the reason he will roll off the grid 5th for the Daytona 500. His history isn’t the greatest here but can you really bet against Logano and this #22 team?