Daytona 500 Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks
1) Joey Logano (Starting – 4th)
Daytona 500 Fantasy Spin – Defending series champion, Joey Logano is an elite restrictor plate racer who’ll be the driver to beat in the Daytona 500. He has a great car underneath him and he’s consistently performed at an extremely high-level in the “Great American Race.” The Duel 150’s are “simulation races” for the Daytona 500 and on Thursday night Logano drove a patient race, and then on the last lap he made an impressive move and drove from 4th up to the lead. In the Daytona 500, handling will come into play and all week Logano has been talking about how well his car has been handling in the draft. If Logano can avoid trouble, I would look for him to finish in the top five and be a serious threat to win.
Daytona Track History – Joey Logano has been a standout performer at Daytona. He won the 2015 Daytona 500 and in 5 of the last 8 races he’s finished in the top 6. In recent Daytona 500’s nobody has been better. Over the last four “Great American Races” he has the best average finish (4.3), the best driver rating and has finished in the top 6 every race. Last summer, Logano had a tough race and was collected in the lap 54 “Big One” which led to his asterisk mark 39th place finish. In the 2018 Daytona 500 he had a great car and finished 4th. Additionally, he earned the 2nd best driver rating and finished 3rd in Stage #2. In summer 2017 he had a strong car but wrecked and finished 35th. At the time of his wreck he was running around 10th. In Stage #1 he finished 5th. In the 2017 Daytona 500 he finished 6th, earned the 6th best driver rating and led 16 laps. At the end he had a very fast car but nobody would help him. In the two Daytona races prior to that he finished 4th and 6th.
DraftKings Price – $10,400 / Fan Duel Price – $12,500
2) Kevin Harvick (Starting – 3rd)
Daytona 500 Fantasy Spin – Kevin Harvick is a two-time Daytona winner who’ll be a contender. He’s one of the best drafters in NASCAR and he has a great car underneath him. On Thursday night In his Duel 150 he was impressive. He led 44 laps and easily raced his way to victory lane. In terms of “Performance” at Daytona he’s unquestionably one of the best, but he’s had tough luck in recent races. In the last five Daytona races his average finish is 28.8. I think it’s clear he’s due for some good luck and on Sunday I would look for him to compete for a top five if he can avoid trouble.
Daytona Track History – Kevin Harvick is one of the best drivers at Daytona, but he’s had rotten luck over the last couple of races. Over the last five he’s finished 19th or worse and has a 28.8 average finish. In 2018 he had a great car in both races. Last summer he was very competitive but finished 19th after crashing late. He was the leader with 3 laps to go, but then with two laps to go he wrecked. In last years Daytona 500 he had a fast car but was collected in the lap 101 “Big One” which led to his 31st place finish. One lap prior to wrecking he was running in 3rd. In Stage #1 he finished 7th. In summer 2017 he had a good car but wrecked and finished 33rd. In that race he finished 6th in Stage #2 and earned the 9th best driver rating. In the 2017 Daytona 500 he had a great car that I would argue was the best. He finished 2nd in Stage #1, won Stage #2, led a race high 50 laps but finished 22nd after getting damaged in a wreck. In 3 of the 4 Daytona races prior to that he finished in the top 4.
DraftKings Price – $10,200 / Fan Duel Price – $11,500
3) Ryan Blaney (Starting – 14th)
Daytona 500 Fantasy Spin – Ryan Blaney should prominently be on your fantasy NASCAR radar for the Daytona 500. He’s been knocking on the door to victory lane, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he finds it in the “Great American Race.” In the last two Daytona 500’s he’s been a serious contender to win. Last year if there wasn’t a late caution I think he probably would’ve won. On Sunday I think Ryan Blaney will compete for a top five and be a factor to win.
Daytona Track History – Ryan Blaney has performed at a high-level at Daytona. Last summer he had a fast car but finished last after crashing on lap 54. I’ll note prior to Stage #1 ending he easily looked top ten good and ran many laps inside the top five. When Stage #1 ended he finished just outside the top ten. In last years Daytona 500 he was the man to beat, but victory lane eluded him. When the checkered flag waved he finished 7th, earned the best driver rating, led a race high 118 laps, finished 3rd in Stage #1, won Stage #2 and earned the best PROS Ranking. If there wasn’t late cautions which regrouped the field he was poised to race his way to victory lane. In summer 2017, Blaney ran really well but finished 26th after wrecking with 8 laps to go. From the race it should be noted he finished 3rd in Stage #1, 10th in Stage #2 and earned the 8th best driver rating. In the 2017 Daytona 500 he finished 2nd, earned the 2nd best driver rating and led 2 laps.
DraftKings Price – $9,000 / Fan Duel Price – $10,700
