Charlotte Coca Cola 600 Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks
Kyle Busch
Charlotte Fantasy Spin – Kyle Busch is a super-elite performer at Charlotte and on Sunday, there’s no question he’ll be tough to beat. Busch has thrived at Charlotte and over his last four incident free races, he’s finished in the top 4. The key variable I like about Busch is how strong he’s performed at high-speed 1.5-mile tracks this year. In 2022 on this sub-track type, Busch’s arguably been the best, and he’s 1 of just 2 drivers who are 2 for 2 at finishing in the top five (3.5 average finish). At these venues, Busch should’ve won at Las Vegas, and at Kansas he was impressive and overcame a pit penalty to finish 3rd. Between the combined races at high-speed 1.5’s, Busch is tied for having the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking, the 2nd best driver rating and has the 3rd best average running position. Another variable I like about Busch heading into the weekend is his momentum. Since Richmond minus Darlington, Busch’s average finish is 5.0.
Charlotte Track History – Charlotte has been a standout 1.5-mile track for Kyle Busch. Busch is a fairly recent winner and in 4 of the last 5 races he’s finished in the top 4. Over that stretch minus 2020 #2 where he had a misleading result, Busch has a 3.0 average finish and a 5.1 average running position. Last year, Busch was one of the best. In the race he finished 6th in Stage #1, 4th in Stage #2, 3rd in Stage #3 and then 3rd when the checkered flag waved. Additionally, Busch had a 5.4 average running position, was the 3rd Fastest Driver Late In A Run and then ranked 4th for Green Flag Speed and Total Speed Rankings. In 2020 #2, Busch started mid-pack, finished just outside the top ten in Stage #1, but then during the restart for Stage #2 he had contact with someone which cut his tire and led to an unexpected pit stop leading to his 29th place finish. In the 2020 Coca Cola 600, Busch ran well throughout the race. In the event he finished 6th in Stage #1, 3rd in Stage #2, 5th in Stage #3, had an 8.5 average running position, had the 7th best Total Speed Ranking and finished 4th when the checkered flag waved. In 2019, Busch had a great evening. In the race he finished 3rd, had a 5.1 average running position, led 79 laps and earned the 2nd best driver rating. In terms of speed analytics, Busch ranked as the Fastest Driver Late In A Run and would’ve had the best Green Flag Average Speed if Jones didn’t have such a short race. In 2018, Busch put on a display of domination and raced his way to victory lane. In addition to winning he won Stage #1, #2, #3, earned a perfect driver rating, had a first place average running position and led 377 laps.
Kyle Larson
Charlotte Fantasy Spin – Kyle Larson is the defending Charlotte Coca Cola 600 champion and on Sunday, there’s no question he’ll be a factor. Larson absolutely smoked the field in 2021, and in 2022 at high-speed 1.5-mile tracks he has a pair of 2nd’s on his resume. Also between the combined races at high-speed 1.5’s, Larson has a series best 2.0 average finish, the 2nd best average running position (6.8), the 3rd best driver rating and he’s tied for having the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking. Another variable you have to like about Larson is how well the #5 team is running on a weekly basis. Since Bristol Dirt minus Darlington, he’s finished in the top 6 every race and has a 4.0 average finish. On Sunday, look for Larson to finish in the top five and compete for the win.
Charlotte Track History – Kyle Larson is an elite performer at Charlotte, and last year in the #5, he clobbered the competition and put on a clinic. Last year in the Coca Cola 600, Larson won the opening three Stages, led 327 laps, had a 1.3 average running position and was just .5 shy of having a perfect 150 driver rating. Also in the race, Larson had the best Total Speed Ranking, was the Fastest Driver Late In A Run and had the 2nd best Green Flag Speed. In 2019 in his most recent Charlotte race, Larson was competitive, but crashed and finished 33rd. At the time of his demise on lap 316 he was running around the top 5. In the 2019 All-Star Race at Charlotte, Larson raced his way to victory lane. In the 2018 Coca Cola 600, Larson finished 7th.
Chase Elliott
Charlotte Fantasy Spin – At Charlotte, look for Chase Elliott to be a contender. Elliott’s thrived at this 1.5-mile high-speed intermediate track, and you also have to like how well the #9 team is running. Since Martinsville minus Kansas where he was a top five contender until he had his tire problem, Elliott’s finished in the top ten every race and had a series best 6.2 average finish. On Sunday, look for Elliott to be a top five contender.
Charlotte Track History – Chase Elliott has been a fantasy ace at Charlotte and over the last four races, Elliott has 1 win, a 2.5 average finish, a 5.9 average running position and he’s had a result in the top 4 every race. Last year, Elliott had a great performance. In the race he finished 2nd in Stage #1, 2nd in Stage #2, 4th in Stage #3 and then 2nd when the checkered flag waved. Additionally, Elliott had a 2.6 average running position, led 22 laps, had the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking, the 3rd best Green Flag Speed and was the 4th Fastest Driver Late In A Run. In 2020, nobody was better than Elliott. In 2020 #2, Elliott started mid-pack, finished 9th in Stage #1, 4th in Stage #2, led 28 laps and of course raced his way to victory lane. In the 2020 Coca Cola 600, Elliott came close to reaching victory lane, but a late caution with 2 laps to go cost him the win. During that caution he pitted, which dropped him outside the top ten but he rallied back to finish 2nd. In the race, Elliott led 28 laps, was the 2nd Fastest Driver Late In A Run and had the 3rd best Total Speed Ranking. In 2019, Elliott finished 4th, had a 6.9 average running position, led 43 laps and had the 7th best Green Flag Speed.
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Top Tier Elite Picks > Front Runner Rankings > Mid Pack Predictions > The Low Tier
