Texas Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks

1) Kevin Harvick (Starting – 3rd)
Texas Fantasy Spin – Texas is a great track for Kevin Harvick and he’ll be the driver to beat. He’s the defending champion of this particular event and since the track was repaved nobody has been better. On the new surface he’s a perfect 3 for 3 in terms of finishing in the top five, no other driver has multiple top fives. Over the combined races on the new layout he has the best driver rating, the best average finish (2.3), the best average running position (4.3) and he’s led the most laps (202). One key attribute I like about Harvick is how strong he’s performed at 1.5 mile tracks. For the season at tracks of this length minus Charlotte #1 and Las Vegas #2 he has a 4.3 average finish and a 4.8 average running position. In practice, Kevin Harvick was extremely quick. In both Practice #2 and Happy Hour he had the best ten lap average. On Sunday, look for Harvick to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Texas Track History – Kevin Harvick has performed at a super-elite level at Texas since the track was repaved/reconfigured. Earlier this year he had a great car. He finished 2nd, earned the 2nd best driver rating, led 87 laps, ran the most fastest laps and won Stage #1. His race wasn’t incident free which makes his performance even more impressive. In Stage #2 he had a slow pit stop while leading which cost him 8 positions and then shortly after the restart he made an unexpected pit stop for a loose wheel which dropped him a lap down back to 21st. Last fall, Harvick made a late pass on Martin Truex Jr. and raced his way to victory lane. In addition to finishing first he earned the best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position, led 38 laps, won Stage #1 and finished 2nd in Stage #2. In spring 2017 he finished 4th, earned the best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position and led 77 laps.
DraftKings Price – $ 11,700 / Fan Duel Price – $13,500

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2) Kyle Busch (Starting – 10th)
Texas Fantasy Spin – Kyle Busch raced his way to victory lane this spring at Texas and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a season sweep. On Sunday I think he’ll finish in the top five and compete for the win. Earlier this year his car was extremely strong and I see no reason why he’ll be a fantasy let down. One key attribute I like about Busch is how strong he’s been at 1.5 mile tracks. In 2018 at tracks of this length he’s scored the most points, has the best average finish (3.9), the best average running position (6.0) and is the only driver who’s finished in the top ten every race. In practice, Kyle Busch had a great car and his team only did small changes. In both Practice #2 and Happy Hour he had the 2nd best ten lap average. In Happy Hour his 15 lap average ranked as the best.
Texas Track History – Earlier this year at Texas, nobody was better than Kyle Busch. He finished 1st, earned the best driver rating, had a 4th place average running position and led a race high 116 laps. Additionally, he finished 2nd in Stage #1 and won Stage #2. In 2017 he didn’t have a great year in the “Lone Star State.” Last fall he damaged his car during the start of the race which led to an unexpected pit stop which dropped him two laps down. When the race reached its conclusion he finished 19th. In spring 2017, Joe Gibbs Racing as an organization was lacking in performance and at Texas there was nothing special about his performance. He finished 15th, had a 14th place average running position and earned the 14th best driver rating.
DraftKings Price – $12,200 / Fan Duel Price – $13,000

3) Ryan Blaney (Starting – 1st)
Texas Fantasy Spin – Ryan Blaney should be prominent on your fantasy NASCAR radar at Texas. Since the track was repaved he’s been one of the strongest performers. Over the three combined races on the new configuration he has the 2nd best driver rating, a 7.7 average finish, a 7.7 average running position and has led 148 laps. This year at 1.5 mile tracks which correlate to success he’s been fast. For the season at tracks of this length minus Kansas #1 and Charlotte #1 he has a 7.7 average finish and an 8.0 average running position. In Happy Hour, Blaney felt like his car was a lot better and his ten lap average that session ranked as the 4th best.
Texas Track History – Ryan Blaney has been one of the best performers at Texas. Earlier this year he had a great car and walked away with his best Texas result. When the checkered flag waved he finished 5th, earned the 6th best driver rating and had an 11th place average running position. I’ll note his race wasn’t incident free. On lap 47 during pit stops while he was running in the top five he got penalized when his team had an uncontrolled tire on pit road. Later on lap 140 he made an unexpected pit stop because of a loose wheel which dropped him a lap down into the low-twenties. In 2017 he was good in both races. Last fall he ran well throughout the event. He finished 6th, earned the 6th best driver rating and had a 4th place average running position. Additionally, he finished 8th in Stage #1 and 3rd in Stage #2. In spring 2017 he arguably had the best car but finished a misleading 12th. In the race he won Stage #1, won Stage #2, led a race high 148 laps, earned the 2nd best driver rating and had a 6th place average running position. Pit strategy hurt him late in the race and then with 34 laps to go while running in 8th he had a slow pit stop when his jack fell.
DraftKings Price – $8,700 / Fan Duel Price – $10,800