Chicagoland Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Ranking Picks (UPDATED)
1) Kevin Harvick (Starting – 2nd)
Chicagoland Fantasy Spin – Kevin Harvick is an elite performer at Chicagoland who should be on your short list of favorites. He’s run extremely well here and ranks as one of the best performers. At Chicagoland, he’s a two-time winner who has back to back 3rd place finishes. This year at 1.5 mile tracks which correlate to success he’s been strong and over the combined races he has the best average finish (7.8), the best average running position (7.2) and the best driver rating. In Happy Hour, Kevin Harvick closed out the session strong and his final run set the mark for both the best 10 and 15 lap averages. In practice #1 his ten lap average ranked as the 2nd best.
Chicagoland Track History – Chicagoland has been a great track for Kevin Harvick and over his last four incident free races he’s finished in the top five. Last year, Harvick had a phenomenal car. He finished 3rd, earned the best driver rating, had a 4th place average running position and led 39 laps. Additionally, he finished 5th in Stage #1 and won Stage #2. In 2017, he was very competitive. He finished 3rd, had a 2nd place average running position, earned the 2nd best driver rating, finished 2nd in Stage #1 & #2 and led 59 laps. In 2016, Harvick had a great car and was probably top five good, but finished 20th. In that race he was burned by a caution during the pit cycle and was never able to really bounce back since the race lacked cautions. In 2015 he was likely top 3 good, but wrecked (Finished 42nd). In the two races prior to that he had results of 3rd and 5th.
DraftKings $11,200 / FanDuel $14,000
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2) Martin Truex Jr. (Starting – 18th)
Chicagoland Fantasy Spin – Martin Truex Jr. is an elite performer at Chicagoland who’ll be a favorite. He’s won 2 of the last 3 races here and you have to love how well the #19 team is performing on a weekly basis. He’s fresh off a win, and over the last eight races this season he has 4 wins and 5 results in the top 3. This year at 1.5 mile tracks which correlate to success he’s been impressive and has a few standout performances. He finished 2nd at Atlanta, and at Charlotte the most recent 1.5 mile track visited he led 116 laps and raced his way to victory lane. In practice, Truex Jr. wasn’t a stop “watch standout” but I wouldn’t be considered. On Sunday, look for Truex Jr. to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Chicagoland Track History – Nobody has been better than Martin Truex Jr. at Chicagoland in recent races. Over the last three he has 2 wins, the best driver rating and a 2nd place average finish. Last year, Truex Jr. started near the back but drove up through the field with ease. He finished 3rd in Stage #1, 4th in Stage #2 and 4th when the checkered flag waved. Additionally, he earned the 5th best driver rating and had a 7th place average running position. In 2017, Truex Jr. didn’t have an incident free race but still managed to race his way to victory lane. On lap 42 while he was running in 2nd he was caught speeding on pit road. After that he hit the after burners and finished 10th in Stage #1 despite there being no caution in that segment. Additionally, he finished 3rd in Stage #2 and led 77 laps. In 2016, Truex Jr. had the 2nd best car, but he took advantage of a late caution and then raced his way to victory lane. From the race it should be noted he earned the 2nd best driver rating and led 32 laps.
DraftKings $10,900 / FanDuel $14,500
3) Kyle Busch (Starting – 17th)
Chicagoland Fantasy Spin – Kyle Busch is the defending champion at Chicagoland and on Sunday he’ll be tough to beat. It’s been a great track for him and in 6 of the last 7 races he’s finished in the top 9. Over those combined races he has a 6.6 average finish, a 6.7 average running position and he’s averaged leading 57 laps per race. In practice, he was fast and in Happy Hour his ten lap average ranked as the 6th best. This year at 1.5 mile tracks, Busch ranks among the best and at these venues minus Kansas his average finish is 5.5. That’s extremely impressive when you consider he’s rarely had an incident free race. Charlotte is the most recent 1.5 mile track visited and at that venue he led 79 laps and finished 3rd. One attribute you have to like about Busch is his momentum. Entering the weekend he has four straight results in the top five. On Sunday, look for Busch to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Chicagoland Track History – Chicagoland has been a great track for Kyle Busch and in recent races he ranks among the best. Last year, Busch had a great car and held off a hard charging Kyle Larson to emerge victorious. In addition to winning he earned the 3rd best driver rating, had an 8th place average running position and led 59 laps. In 2017, Busch had a phenomenal car, but finished a misleading 15th. In the race he started on the pole and led 85 of the first 87 laps. On lap 97 while he was running in 2nd he made an unexpected pit stop because of a loose wheel and as he was coming to his pit stall he was penalized when his crew went over the wall too soon. He just wasn’t able to bounce back from that. In 2016, he had a solid performance. He finished 8th, had a 7th place average running position, earned the 7th best driver rating and led 21 laps. I will note his race wasn’t incident free. On lap 174 while he was running in 4th he was caught speeding on pit road and had to serve a pass thru penalty. In the four Chicagoland races prior to that he had results of 9th, 7th, 2nd and 4th.
DraftKings $11,500 / FanDuel $15,000
