The “Super Low Tier” – Phoenix
Justin Haley (Starting – 29th) Among “Super Low Tier” teams, I like Justin Haley the most. He’s been in three races this year and is 3 for 3 at finishing in the 20’s. Over his combined starts his average finish stands at 26.3. At Phoenix, Haley has no Cup starts on his resume. Last year in the lower series in the desert where he’s in a much more competitive situation, Haley swept the top ten with results of 5th and 8th. On Sunday, look for Haley to be a mid to high-twenties driver, but I would lean more towards the high-twenties to be safe. (DraftKings $4,000 / FanDuel $4,000 )
JJ Yeley (Starting – 34th) JJ Yeley will be making his season debut at Phoenix. I can’t say I expect anything good to happen, but among “Super Low Tier” drivers he presents potential. Last year, Yeley competed in both Phoenix races and had results of 26th and 30th. Over Yeley’s last six races at Phoenix he has five results between 26th to 31st. On Sunday, I would look for Yeley to be a high-twenties to low-thirties driver. (DraftKings $3,000 / FanDuel $3,000 )
James Davison (Starting – 38th) James Davison is returning to competition this week after not racing at Las Vegas. In the two races prior to that this season he had results of 23rd (Daytona Road Course) and 37th (Homestead – engine). Last fall at Phoenix in his lone Cup start in the desert he finished 33rd, had a 33.9 average running position and had the 35th best Total Speed Ranking. On Sunday, I would look for him to be a low to mid-thirties driver. (DraftKings $3,000 / FanDuel $3,000 )
Cody Ware (Starting – 31st) Cody Ware has two Phoenix starts on his resume. His most recent was in spring 2019 and in that event he finished 32nd. In fall 2018 in his next most recent race, Ware finished 28th. In the last two races heading into the weekend he’s finished 32nd, look for him to finish around that mark again on Sunday. (DraftKings $2,000 / FanDuel $2,000 )
BJ McLeod (Starting – 30th) BJ McLeod has never raced at Phoenix, but the #78 team appears to rank as one of the better “Super Low Tier Teams.” That said, keep expectations low and look for McLeod to be a low to mid-thirties driver. In the last two races heading into the weekend he has results of 30th (Las Vegas) and 34th (Homestead). (DraftKings $2,000 / FanDuel $2,000 )
Quin Houff (Starting – 35th) Quin Houff will likely be a middle of the road “Super Low Tier” driver at Phoenix. One of the best ways to gauge drivers of this tier is to look at their recent results heading into the weekend. In the two races prior to Phoenix he had finishes of 33rd (Las Vegas) and 35th (Homestead). Last fall at Phoenix, Houff finished dead last and his DNF is listed as “Handling.” In his other two races at Phoenix he recorded finishes of 34th (spring 2020) and 30th (spring 2019). (DraftKings $2,000 / FanDuel $2,000 )
Josh Bilicki (Starting – 36th) At Phoenix, look for Josh Bilicki to be a mid-thirties driver who might be able to finish marginally better. Over the last three races heading into the weekend he’s walked away with results of 36th, 33rd and 35th. Last fall at Phoenix in his lone race in the desert he finished 35th. (DraftKings $2,000 / FanDuel $2,000 )
Timmy Hill (Starting – 37th) At Phoenix, look for Timmy Hill to be a mid to high-thirties driver. There’s a great chance in the desert he’ll be rolling out the least competitive car in the field. Over the last three races at Phoenix, Hill’s average finish is 37.6. In 2020, Hill finished 36th in the fall and 38th in the spring. In the last two races heading into the weekend at “conventional tracks”, Hill has results of 36th and 38th. (DraftKings $2,000 / FanDuel $2,000 )
