Auto Club Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Erik Jones – Erik Jones should be high on your radar at Auto Club Speedway and be viewed as a top ten contender. He’s a strong performer at high-speed intermediate tracks and he’s shown potential in all three of his Auto Club races. Last year at Auto Club, Erik Jones had a good car and looked top ten good, but finished 19th. In the race he finished 6th in Stage #1, 7th in Stage #2 but for whatever reason he faded back in the final segment. In 2018, Jones had a great performance. He finished 7th, had a 7th place average running position and earned the 6th best driver rating. Additionally, he finished 8th in Stage #1 and 5th in Stage #2. In 2017, he had a strong debut. He finished a slightly misleading 12th, had a 7th place average running position and earned the 8th best driver rating. Additionally, he finished 8th in Stage #1 and 5th in Stage #2. With 5 laps to go before numerous late cautions came out he was running in 5th. On Sunday, look for Erik Jones to compete for a top ten.

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Clint Bowyer – Clint Bowyer is a strong performer at worn out ovals who should be solid on Sunday. He had a misleading result last year which might scare some away, but he’s proven that he’s capable of performing at an high-level here. One attribute that needs to get noted about Bowyer is that he’s a strong performer at worn out intermediates. In 2019 over his three incident free races at worn out intermediates he had results of 5th, 6th and 6th. In 2018 at worn out intermediates over his four incident free races his average finish was 6.75. Last year at Auto Club, Bowyer was down a cylinder early (first reported around lap 40) and then later overheating issues ended his afternoon which led to his last place finish (38th). If Bowyer would’ve had an incident free race, I think there’s a good chance he would’ve finished in the top ten. In 2018, Bowyer had a solid performance. He finished 11th, earned the 11th best driver rating and had a 12th place average running position. Also in the race he finished 9th in Stage #1 and Stage #2. In 2017, Clint Bowyer had a very strong showing. He finished 3rd, earned the 3rd best driver rating and had a 6th place average running position. Additionally it should be noted he finished 6th in Stage #1 and 4th in Stage #2. His car was very strong and at one point in the telecast it was mentioned that he had the best car in a set of turns.

Aric Almirola – Aric Almirola should have a successful afternoon at Auto Club and on Sunday I’m going to view him as a low double-digit to mid-teens driver who has a good chance to sneak in a top ten. His overall track record is poor, but he’s run well the last two races, and in fantasy racing that’s all that matters. Last year at Auto Club, Almirola had his best race at this worn out 2.0 mile oval and came home with his lone top ten. When the checkered flag waved he finished 9th, earned the 5th best driver rating, had a 6th place average running position and had the 7th best Green Flag Average Speed. Additionally, he finished 5th in Stage #1 and Stage #2. In 2018, Almirola had a respectable performance. He started deep in the field in 27th, had a 14th place average running position, earned the 13th best driver rating and finished 12th. I wouldn’t consider his other Auto Club starts as relevant since he wasn’t in a competitive situation.

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