Daytona Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks

1) Denny Hamlin (Starting – 9th) (Odds To Win – 10/1)
Daytona Fantasy Spin – Daytona is a great track for Denny Hamlin and he’ll be considered a favorite to win. In this year’s Daytona 500 he raced his way to victory lane moving from 4th to 1st on the last lap. In all of the other Daytona races since 2014 he’s also achieved a high level of success finishing in the top six. The Daytona track surface will be slicker then it was in February and that will play to his hands. Handling was JGR’s strength earlier this year and that advantage could be very prominent once again. Following practice Denny Hamlin said his car was pretty good.
Daytona Track History – Nobody has been better than Denny Hamlin at Daytona recently. Over the last five races he has the best driver rating, best average finish (3.2) and the best average running position (8.0). In this year’s Daytona 500 he had the best car and pulled off a last lap pass. Additionally in the race it should be noted he earned the best driver rating and led nearly half the race (95 laps). In the Sprint Unlimited earlier this season he also raced his way to victory lane. In 2015 he had a phenomenal season. In July 2015 he started deep in the field, finished 3rd and earned the 3rd best driver rating. In the 2015 Daytona 500 he was a threat to win. When the checkered flag waved he finished 4th, earned the 4th best driver rating and led 4 laps. If you play at DraftKings it should be noted over the three races just mentioned he was the top scorer in each event. In 2014 Hamlin had results of 2nd and 6th.
Yahoo A Driver / DraftKings $9,800

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2) Kurt Busch (Starting – 10th) (Odds To Win – 15/1)
Daytona Fantasy Spin – Kurt Busch has never won a points paying race at Daytona but that doesn’t make him a bad fantasy option. He’s an elite plate driver and ranks as one of the best in this form of racing. In recent races at Daytona he’s been one of the best performers in the series. On Saturday night I expect him to have a strong showing and be in contention for the win. The track will be slick which I think plays to his favor. In 8 of the last 10 July races he’s finished in the top ten. In 9 of those 10 he’s finished 14th or better. Look for Kurt Busch to draft more aggressively and block more aggressively in this race because he feels that’s where he needs to step up his game to get his first win on this track type. It should be noted at plate tracks Busch now has 5 straight top tens. One attribute I really like about Busch is his momentum. He’s entering the weekend with 10 straight top tens.
Daytona Track History – Daytona has been a good track for Kurt Busch. He’s finished in the top five 40% percent of the time and in the top ten 53% percent of the time. Recently at Daytona he ranks among the best. In 4 of the last 5 races he’s finished in the top ten. The one race he didn’t he was top ten good but spun late. Over this five race stretch he has the 3rd best driver rating and a 9.8 average finish. In this year’s Daytona 500 he ran well throughout the event. He earned the 8th best driver rating, finished 10th and had an 11th place average running position. Last year he ran very well in both events sweeping the top five with results of 3rd and 5th.
Yahoo A Driver / DraftKings $9,100

Further Recommended Reading – Daytona Starting Lineup, Daytona Practice Notes, Daytona Practice Speeds, PROS Rankings, Asterisk Mark Report, Scouting Report

3) Kevin Harvick (Starting – 21st) (Odds To Win – 10/1)
Daytona Fantasy Spin – Kevin Harvick should be on your short list of fantasy options at Daytona. He’s an elite restrictor plate driver who knows how to position himself up front when it counts. Recently at Daytona he’s been very competitive. If Denny Hamlin didn’t win this year’s Daytona 500 he would be in the conversation of being the best driver here since 2015. Over the last three Daytona races he’s finished in the top four every race.
Daytona Track History – Daytona is a good track for Harvick. He’s won here twice and has finished in the top ten 47% percent of the time. Over the last three races he’s been very successful. Over this stretch he’s finished in the top four every race, has the second best average finish (3.3) and the 3rd best driver rating. In this year’s Daytona 500 he ran well and was the driver who essentially helped push Denny Hamlin into contention. When the checkered flag waved he finished 4th and earned the 5th best driver rating. Last summer he started deep in the field but finished 4th and earned the 5th best driver rating. In the 2015 Daytona 500 he had a strong showing. He finished 2nd, earned the 3rd best driver rating and had an 8th place average running position.
Yahoo A Driver / DraftKings $10,300