Fantasy NASCAR Super Low Tier – Talladega
Justin Haley – Justin Haley is a standout super low-tier performer at superspeedways. Last year in the Xfinity series, Haley pulled out the broom and won both Talladega races. Haley also won at Daytona last year in the lower series, so overall he won 3 of the 4 superspeedway races. In Cup cars, Haley’s been good on this track type. He snuck in a win at Daytona in summer 2019, and in 2020 over his two races his average finish was 12th. Last fall at Talladega in Cup, Haley finished 11th. In spring 2019 in his first track start, Haley crashed and finished 32nd.
Harrison Burton – Harrison Burton will be making his Cup debut a Talladega driving the Gaunt Brothers #96 Toyota. His car will be a 2021 model, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that organization is getting some help from Joe Gibbs Racing. Last year at Talladega in the lower series, Burton finished 23rd in the fall and 32nd in the spring. Earlier this year at Daytona in the Xfinity Series, Burton led 28 laps and finished 3rd.
Kaz Grala – Kaz Grala will be returning to competition at Talladega piloting the #16. This is the same car he drove in the Daytona 500 where he started 40th and finished 40th. Kaz Grala’s DNF can be attributed to a wheel hub fire, or something right along that line. Grala’s most recent start at Talladega driving anything was back in 2018 in the Xfinity Series when he finished 20th.
Quin Houff – Quin Houff has two starts on his resume at Talladega, and both of them came last year. Last fall he dodged the attrition and came home 13th. In the summer he didn’t fare as well and finished 27th. In this years Daytona 500, Houff finished 29th after crashing. In 2020 at Daytona, Houff had results of 23rd and 39th.
Cody Ware – Cody Ware has elevated fantasy value at Talladega. So far in 2021, Ware’s best finish was at Daytona where he finished 21st. At Talladega, Ware only raced there once last year and in October he finished 19th. In his two other starts which were in earlier years, Ware’s finishes were 28th (2019) and 38th (2018).
Josh Bilicki – Josh Bilicki has no Talladega Cup starts on his resume. At Daytona, Bilicki has two Cup starts under his belt. He finished 24th in this years Daytona 500, and last summer he finished 38th.
Timmy Hill – Remember Timmy Hill? He’s back in action at Talladega after missing the last three races! Last fall at Talladega, Timmy finished 15th. In spring 2020, Hill finished 33rd. I wouldn’t bother looking at his other two finishes since both ended early due to electrical problems. Last year at Daytona, Hill had results of 24th and 27th. Hill’s overall average finish on this track type last year was 24.75.
BJ McLeod – At Talladega, BJ McLeod has one Cup start on his resume and last spring he finished 31st. At Daytona, the other superspeedway on the schedule his average finish is 27th. In this years season opening Daytona 500 he finished 23rd, but keep in mind the attrition rate was apocalyptic.
JJ Yeley – JJ Yeley will be racing at Talladega, but I can’t say I like his odds of coming home with a good result. In 7 of his last 8 Talladega races he’s finished 28th or worse. Last summer at Talladega, Yeley finished 36th. In 2018 in his next most recent start he finished 36th. Last summer at Daytona, Yeley finished dead last due to an engine failure. On Sunday, Yeley will be driving the #15 which was going to be piloted by Cobb.
