Charlotte Roval Post Practice Fantasy NASCAR Predictions
We’re back at the Charlotte ROVAL this weekend for the second ever race on this crazy track. “Crazy” is a good way to describe it, too, as we had plenty of drama in last year’s event, and we’ve already had a fair share of drama this weekend, too. Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex, Jr., Alex Bowman, and Parker Kligerman will all have to start from the rear on Sunday because of backup cars/engines, although they will all be scored in Fantasy NASCAR from where they qualified–so make sure you remember that.
William Byron won the pole for Sunday’s race at the ROVAL, and it was a Hendrick Motorsports sweep, as Alex Bowman was slated to start 2nd. He wrecked in Happy Hour, though, and had to go to a backup car, so Bowman will start from the rear and Jimmie Johnson will assume the 2nd-place starting spot at the green flag. You can view the entire starting lineup by clicking here. There were two post-qualifying practice sessions held on Saturday, and the speeds from those can be found here: Practice #2 — Happy Hour. You should also read our in-depth notes for those sessions: Practice #2 — Happy Hour.
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Final Top 25 Fantasy NASCAR Rankings for the Roval
1. Martin Truex, Jr. – Starts from REAR (scored from 8th) – DraftKings Price: $10,900 – FanDuel Price: $14,500 – Slingshot Price: $13,000
If you watched last year’s ROVAL race, you know that Martin Truex, Jr. should have gone to victory lane. He was literally leading in the final turn when Jimmie Johnson over-drove the corner and took out both of them. Truex ended up finishing 14th in that race while Johnson wound up 8th. But even with that sub-par finish, Truex’s stats on the road course tracks are by far the best in the series; over the last two years on this track type, Martin owns the best average finish (4th), the best average running position (4.0) and has taken the most DraftKings dominator points (laps led + fastest laps). Truex will start in the rear of the field on Sunday, but don’t be surprised when he’s challenging for the win near the end of the 109 laps. Yes, I could definitely see this #19 team sweeping the first round of the Playoffs. Practice-wise, Truex blew his engine in final practice and because of that will have to start from the rear, but I’m not worried about that at all (obviously).
2. Kevin Harvick – Starts 6th – DraftKings Price: $10,200 – FanDuel Price: $14,000 – Slingshot Price: $12,400
Kevin Harvick is a consistent finisher on the road course race tracks, and I’m fully expecting him to put up a good result here at the ROVAL on Sunday. Over the last five races at this track type, “Happy” owns the 2nd-best average finish (6.8) along with the 4th-best average running position (8.8). That includes Harvick’s 9th-place finish in this race one year ago. As far as momentum goes, this #4 team actually kind of disappointed with a 7th-place run, but they’ve still finished inside that mark in eight of the last nine Cup Series races overall. There’s no reason why Harvick shouldn’t make that nine of the last ten after Sunday’s race. The #4 Ford ranked 6th- and 5th-fastest in the two practice sessions here on Saturday when it came to 5-lap average.
3. Chase Elliott – Starts 19th – DraftKings Price: $9,600 – FanDuel Price: $13,000 – Slingshot Price: $12,000
About the only driver somewhat close to Martin Truex, Jr. when it comes to road course statistics over the last two years is Chase Elliott. Over that five-race span, Chase owns the 6th-best average finish (9.8) but has the 2nd-best average running position (6.8) along with the 2nd-most average DraftKings dominator points per race (13.5). Elliott finished 6th in last year’s ROVAL race and I expect him to challenge for a top 5 finish once again this weekend. The #9 Chevrolet ranked 4th- and fastest in the two practice sessions here on Saturday when it came to 5-lap average.
