Atlanta Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Kurt Busch – Atlanta has been a great track for Kurt Busch and I think he’ll be a low-double digits driver who’ll have a great chance to compete for a top ten. Since 2010 he’s finished in the top 13 every race, has a 6.7 average finish and a 10.7 average running position. In 6 of the last 8 Atlanta races he’s finished between 4th to 8th, in the other two events he finished 13th. Last year at Atlanta he had a strong showing. He finished 8th, earned the 3rd best driver rating, had a 5th place average running position and led 52 laps. Additionally, he finished 8th in Stage #1 and 2nd in Stage #2. In 2017, Busch had a strong showing. He finished 7th, earned the 7th best driver rating and had a 10th place average running position. In 2016 he also ran well. He started on the pole, finished 4th, had a 5th place average running position and led 62 laps. If the late caution didn’t come out he likely would’ve finished 8th.

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Jimmie Johnson – Atlanta has been a phenomenal track for Jimmie Johnson. He’s a five time winner who’s finished in the top five 52% percent of the time. On Sunday I’m going to view him as a low-double digits driver who’ll have a good chance to compete for a top ten. The last two races at Atlanta haven’t been good for him. Last year he had a tough race and finished a misleading 27th. “Performance Wise” he was likely a mid to high-teens driver but on lap 159 while he was running in 19th he spun out and cut a tire. That did damage to his car and he never ran well after that. In 2017, he had a good car and was top ten good but finished a misleading 19th. In the race he had multiple problems on pit road and his final issue happened with about 17 laps to go when he pitted after getting the free pass which resulted in a 1 lap penalty. Prior to his first problem on lap 133 he was running around 6th. In 2016 Johnson was likely 3rd place good but late in the race he short pitted which got him a big lead on Harvick. He then hung on and raced his way to victory lane. Additionally, he earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 4th place average running position and led 52 laps. In 2015 he had a great car. He started in 37th but still managed to lead 92 laps and race his way to victory lane. In 2014 he finished 4th.

William Byron – William Byron had a tough rookie season at 1.5 mile tracks. Now that he’s in year #2 I’m hoping he’ll step up his game. With Chad Knaus leading the team and a new rules package I think there’s reason for optimism. At Atlanta I would look for Byron to be a low-double digits to mid-teens driver. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks in a top ten. That talent is there. Last year when he made his Atlanta debut he was less than impressive. He finished 18th, had a 23rd place average running position and earned the 23rd best driver rating.

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