Atlanta – The Fantasy NASCAR Low Tier
Michael McDowell – At Atlanta, I would look for Michael McDowell to be a low to mid-twenties driver. That’s essentially his 2018 weekly level of performance. This season I think we should expect more of the same from him and the #34 team. Last year at Atlanta, McDowell had his best race but keep in mind the bar is tremendously low. When the checkered flag waved he finished 4 laps down in 24th. Additionally, he had a 26th place average running position and earned the 26th best driver rating. In 2017 he finished 29th.
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David Ragan – At Atlanta, I’m projecting David Ragan to be a low-twenties driver. That’s essentially his weekly level of performance at 1.5 mile tracks dating back to the close of last season. I really don’t think things will change much, “performance wise” despite the new rules package. In fantasy NASCAR, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Atlanta is Ragan’s home track he’s finished between 18th to 23rd in 3 of the last 4 races. Currently he has back to back results of 23rd.
Ty Dillon – I’m not expecting Ty Dillon to have a high-level of performance at Atlanta. If you pick him I think you should likely expect him to be a low-twenties driver. If things go really well he might finish in the high-teens, but that’s probably pushing it. Last year at Atlanta he was very uncompetitive. He finished 26th, had a 25th place average running position and earned the 25th best driver rating. In the two Atlanta races prior to that he was much more successful and had results of 15th and 17th.
Bubba Wallace – At Atlanta, I’m keeping expectations low for Bubba Wallace. I think he’ll likely be a low to mid-twenties driver. Last year at intermediate tracks he was very uncompetitive and only finished in the top twenty once, and that was a high attrition race. Last year at Atlanta he had a troubled debut. He didn’t run well and then near the end he plowed into the back of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. which led to his 32nd place finish. At the time of his problem with 29 laps to go he was running in 22nd and its safe to assume he would’ve finished around that range if his race would’ve been incident free.
Matt Tifft – At Atlanta, I don’t see any reason to roll the dice with Matt Tifft in the #36 Front Row Motorsports Ford. I think its likely that a result in the mid-twenties should be expected. Like all rookies there’s a ton of question marks and because of his equipment I just don’t think picking him is worth the risk. It’s more likely something bad will happen then something good will happen. In the last two Xfinity races at Atlanta he has a pair of 12th place finishes.
Ross Chastain – Ross Chastain is fresh off his first career top ten, but at Atlanta the attrition rate won’t be catastrophic. Expectations need to be minimal and I would look for him to be likely be a mid to high-twenties driver, with a result in the high-twenties being more likely. Last year at Atlanta when he made his lone track start he finished 30th.
Landon Cassill – At Atlanta, Landon Cassill has limited fantasy value. Realistically I think he’ll prove to be a high-twenties driver. If things go really well he might finish in the mid-twenties, but I wouldn’t push it. Just assume the worst and you won’t be let down. Last year at Atlanta he didn’t have a ride. In 2017 when he was in more competitive equipment he finished 22nd. At Atlanta his overall average finish is 30.1.
Parker Kligerman – I’m not expecting much out of Parker Kligerman is the #96 at Atlanta. Realistically I would look for him to be a high-twenties to low-thirties driver. At Atlanta he’s never made a start in NASCAR’s top series. Last fall at Texas when he had his most recent start at a 1.5 mile track he finished 31st.
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