Daytona 500 Fantasy NASCAR Mid Pack Predictions
Kasey Kahne – Kasey Kahne is a risky option at Daytona. Since 2013 he has two top 13 results and the rest of his finishes are 27th or worse. The good news is that his two good results over this stretch were in the last two Daytona 500’s. Last summer at Daytona he was caught up in the “Big One.” It should be noted he did show potential and ran within a few deviations of 10th for much of the race before he crashed. In last years Daytona 500 he had a solid showing and had one of his best recent results. The key number you need to know about him from that race is 13. In the race he started 13th, finished 13th and had a 13th place average running position. It should be noted he liked the way his car handled. In summer 2015 he had a great car but finished 32nd. Around lap 106 he was involved in the “Big One” and after that you could stick a fork in him. Prior to his wreck it was clear he had top ten potential. In the 2015 Daytona 500 he crossed the finish line in 9th place. In the race he was strong throughout the event. In addition to finishing 9th he also had a 9th place average running position and earned the 7th best driver rating. (Yahoo B Driver / DraftKings $7,600)
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Aric Almirola – Aric Almirola hasn’t been a bad option at Daytona. It’s home to his only NASCAR win and in 4 of the last 5 races he’s finished in the top fifteen. Over that five race stretch minus summer 2015 when he wrecked he has a 10.8 average finish. Last summer at Daytona he had a solid afternoon and dodged the carnage. In the race he finished 15th and had a 15th place average running position. In last years Daytona 500 he ran well when it mattered. When the race reached its conclusion he finished 12th and earned the 13th best driver rating. In July 2015 he was likely mid-teens good but involvement in the “Big One” around lap 106 sent him to the garage for repairs and led to his 34th place finish. At the time of his wreck he was running around 14th. In the 2015 Daytona 500 he finished 15th. In summer 2014 he evaded the carnage and was at the front of the pack when the sky opened up and he notched his first Cup win. At Talladega he’s had some recent success. He finished 8th last fall and in 3 of the last 4 races he’s finished 16th or better. (Yahoo B Driver / DraftKings $6,300)
Further Recommended Reading – Top Tier Elite Picks, Front Runner Rankings, The Low Tier, DraftKings Points Archive, Scouting Report
Trevor Bayne – In the 2011 Daytona 500 Trevor Bayne raced his way to victory lane in one of the most improbable outcomes in NASCAR history. Following that win he had tons of bad results in a row. In recent races at plate tracks he’s been showing some prowess. Over the last six plate races between the combined events his 14.7 average finish ranks as the 8th best in the series. Last year on this track type he scored the 10th most points and had a 14.5 average finish. Last summer at Daytona Bayne had a good race. He finished 3rd and earned the 3rd best driver rating. In the 2016 Daytona 500 he was involved in an accident and finished 28th. In summer 2015 he had a quality race having earned the 8th best driver rating and finishing 9th. At Talladega last year Bayne had results of 10th and 17th. (Yahoo B Driver / DraftKings $6,800)
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Top Tier Elite Picks > Front Runners Rankings > Mid Pack Predictions > The Low Tier
