Homestead Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Kevin Harvick – Kevin Harvick is a super-elite performer who’ll be tough to beat at Homestead as he competes for his second championship. His team has had an extra week to focus on this race, so you better believe they’ll be bringing their A-game. At Homestead, Harvick has an amazing 11 straight top tens. In the #4 car in the season finale, Harvick’s level of performance has been off the charts. Over the last five Homestead races he has 1 win, the best average finish (2.6), the best average running position (3.4) and he’s finished in the top 4 every race. Last year at Homestead, Harvick had a great car that was arguably the best, but a late caution likely cost him the race. He was going to cycle to the lead following the late pit cycle, but because of how the caution fell (Daniel Suarez timely spin) it dropped him back to 4th. When the checkered flag waved he finished 3rd, had a 3rd place average running position, earned the 2nd best driver rating and led 58 laps. Additionally, he won Stage #1 and finished 2nd in Stage #2 (Kyle Larson passed him on the last lap). In 2017, Harvick had a strong showing. He finished 4th, had 4th place average running position and earned the 4th best driver rating. Additionally, he finished 4th in Stage #1 and 3rd in Stage #2. With 75 laps to go it was mentioned he had a small hole on his front bumper which impacted his performance. In 2016, Harvick had a great car and was a consistent front runner. He started on the pole, finished 3rd, had a 3rd place average running position, earned the 2nd best driver rating and led the second most laps (79). In 2015 he had a very strong showing and finished runner-up. Additionally, he had a 4th place average running position, earned the 4th best driver rating and led 46 laps. In 2014 he had a clutch performance and raced his way to the championship. In the race he earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position and led 54 laps. This year at 1.5 mile tracks, Harvick ranks among the best. He just dominated at the last 1.5 mile track visited and for the season over the ten combined races he has the best average running position (7.6) and the 2nd best average finish (8.7). Chicagoland is arguably the most similar track visited and at that venue he led 132 laps and was the driver to beat until problems on pit road derailed his afternoon.

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Martin Truex Jr. – Martin Truex Jr. is an elite performer at Homestead who’ll be tough to beat as he vies for his second championship. His team has had two weeks to prepare for this race, so you know they’ll be more than ready, just like the #22 team was last year. At Homestead, Truex Jr. has been very competitive. He’s finished in the top 2 the last two races and in 79% percent of his starts he’s finished in the top 12. Last year in the season finale, Truex Jr. had a phenomenal car. When the checkered flag waved he finished 2nd, earned the 3rd best driver rating, had a 4th place average running position and led 20 laps. Additionally, he finished 5th in Stage #1 and 4th in Stage #2. In 2017, Larson dominated before dusk, but Truex dominated after darkness. When the checkered flag waved he finished 1st, earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 3rd place average running position, led 78 laps, finished 5th in Stage #1 and 2nd in Stage #2. This year at 1.5 mile tracks, Truex Jr. has unquestionably been one of the strongest performers. Over the ten combined races he’s been to victory lane twice and has a series best 8.3 average finish. In the Playoffs at 1.5 mile tracks, Truex Jr. has 1 win (Las Vegas) and a 4.3 average finish.

Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch has thrived at Homestead and on Sunday he should be near the top of your fantasy NASCAR radar. Homestead has been a great track for him and the low grip level plays to his strength. Over the last four combined Homestead races he has 1 win, a 3.3 average finish, a 3.8 average running position and he’s finished in the top 6 every race. Last year at Homestead, Kyle Busch had a great car, but he was was the least competitive of the championship 4. When the checkered flag waved he finished 4th, had a 4th place average running position, earned the 4th best driver rating and led 21 laps. Additionally, he finished 3rd in Stage #1 and 6th in Stage #2. In 2017, Busch had a great car. He finished 2nd, earned the 3rd best driver rating, had a 4th place average running position and led 43 laps. Additionally, he finished 3rd in Stage #1 and 4th in Stage #2. In 2016, he finished 6th, had a 5th place average running position and earned the 4th best driver rating. What makes that more impressive he that he overcame an unexpected pit stop for a flat tire while running in 5th on lap 137 that dropped him a lap down. It should be noted until late cautions started coming out he was running in 2nd and was poised to win the championship. In 2015, Busch had a great car and raced his way to victory lane. It should be noted however that if there wasn’t a late caution and Brad Keselowski didn’t pick the wrong lane to restart in then he likely wouldn’t have won. “Performance wise”, he was really 3rd place good. In addition to finishing first he earned the best driver rating, had a 2nd place average running position and led 41 laps.

Make sure you read the full spectrum of our Homestead Fantasy NASCAR Rankings

Top Tier Elite Picks > Front Runners Rankings > Mid Pack Predictions > The Low Tier