Watkins Glen Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch is an elite performer at Watkins Glen who’ll be tough to beat. He’s a two-time winner who’s finished in the top ten in 11 of the last 12 races. Last year he may have very well had the best car but he finished a misleading 7th. In the race he started on the pole and led every lap of the opening segment. Then during the Stage caution while leading he made a second pit stop which dropped him back in the running order. When Stage #2 ended he rebounded to finish 9th. Then later on lap 45 while he was battling Keselowski for 8th he spun out which dropped him back to the mid 30’s. That makes his 7th place finish pretty remarkable. In 2016 he had a great car and finished 6th. It should be noted he was better than his result but some poor late restarts were very unfriendly to him. Strength wise he probably should’ve finished 2nd. Additionally, he had the best average running position (5th) and earned the 2nd best driver rating. In 2015 he had a strong showing. He finished 2nd, earned the 2nd best driver rating and had a 6th place average running position. Throughout the event he was a consistent front runner. In 2014 he had some big problems and finished 40th. In the 8 races prior to that he finished in the top ten, had a 5.0 average finish and went to victory lane twice. On Sunday look for Busch to finish in the top five and compete for the win.

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

Martin Truex Jr. – Martin Truex Jr. will be the driver to beat at Watkins Glen. He’s the defending champion and Watkins Glen ranks as one of his best tracks. Since 2011 minus 2015 he has a 6.3 average finish and an 8.3 average running position. Last year, Truex Jr. had a great car and raced his way to victory lane. He excelled over long runs and he had enough fuel to go the distance. In addition to winning he earned the best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position, led a race high 24 laps and finished 2nd in the first two Stages. In 2016, Truex Jr. had a great car but finished a misleading 7th. When the finish line was in sight on the final lap Keselowski spun him while he was running in 2nd. Additionally, he earned the 5th best driver rating and had an 8th place average running position. In 2015 he had a strong showing and had top five potential but with 22 laps to go while running in 3rd he came down pit road because of a flat tire. That dropped him back to 36th. When the checkered flag waved he finished 25th. Earlier this year at Sonoma, the other road course on the schedule Truex Jr. led 62 laps and raced his way to victory lane. On Sunday for look Truex Jr. to finish in the top five and compete for the win.

Kevin Harvick – Kevin Harvick is an elite road course racer who’ll be a factor. He’s had some recent tough luck at Watkins Glen, but don’t let that scare you away. On Sunday I would look for him to finish in the top five and compete for the win. Last year at Watkins Glen, Harvick didn’t have a smooth race and finished 17th. “Performance Wise” I think he had top ten potential but during the Landon Cassill caution (around lap 53) he got heavy damage on pit road after running into the back of the #83 and after that you could stick a fork in him. In 2016 he had a strong car, but poor pit strategy and then a late accident led to his 32nd place finish. Performance wise he was top ten good and his driver rating ranked as the 12th best. In 2015 if Harvick had a little more fuel he would’ve raced his way to victory lane. Instead he ran out on the last lap while leading which led to his 3rd place finish. Additionally, he earned the best driver rating and led the most laps (29). In 2014 he had a great car but had an early self-inflicted problem which held him back and led to him finishing 7th. In 2006 Kevin Harvick raced his way to victory lane holding off Tony Stewart. Earlier this year at Sonoma, the other road course on the schedule Harvick led 35 laps and finished 2nd.

Make sure you read the full spectrum of our Watkins Glen Fantasy NASCAR Rankings

Top Tier Elite Picks > Front Runners Rankings > Mid Pack Predictions > The Low Tier