Word Wide Technology Racing Top Tier Elite Picks

Denny Hamlin – If its short or flat, pick Hamlin. Those two principals come into play at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway), and fresh off his second win of the 2022 season, there’s no question he’ll be tough to beat. The #11 team is running extremely well right now, and they’ve been a factor to win everywhere for the last month. When it comes to pure racing talent at shorter-flat tracks, you could make a very strong case Hamlin’s the best in the business. Going all the way back to 2019 at shorter-flat tracks (last 16 races), Denny Hamlin has 2 wins, a series best 5.5 average finish, the best driver rating and he’s averaged leading a series best 52.6 laps per race. This year at shorter-flat tracks, Hamlin raced his way to victory lane at Richmond and at Phoenix he finished 13th. I’ll note, at Richmond, Hamlin’s average running position was 8.2, and that reflects his performance a lot better than his result since his win was essentially a tire strategy “W”. The #11 team has found their groove in 2022, they just need to avoid bad luck which has haunted them and if they do, I think Hamlin’s a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win.

Don’t be a pretender, become a contender and get the ifantasyrace advantage! Join Now!

Ross Chastain – At World Wide Technology Raceway, look for Ross Chastain to be tough to beat. The #1 team has been one of the best, week in and week out in 2022, and I don’t’ think that will change at Gateway, where Chastain already has a win under his belt in 2019 in the Truck series. This year at shorter-flat tracks, Chastain has been strong. At Phoenix this spring, Chastain finished 2nd, was the Fastest Driver Late In A Run, had the 6th best Green Flag Speed and had the 7th best Total Speed Ranking. At Richmond, Chastain finished 3rd in Stage #1, 3rd in Stage #2 but then finished an asterisk mark 19th. At Gateway, I think he’ll be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win.

Kyle Busch – Kyle Busch will be a factor at Gateway. Busch is one of the best in the business at shorter-flat tracks, and he already has a Gateway win under his belt way back in 2009 in the Xfinity series. At shorter-flat tracks since 2021 minus New Hampshire 2021 where he crashed early in the rain and Phoenix #1 2021 where he had multiple problems but was a top ten contender, Busch has an 8.0 average finish and is 5 for 5 at finishing in the top ten. This year at shorter-flat tracks between the combined events, Busch is tied for having the 6th best Total Speed Ranking and in the events, Busch has results of 7th (Phoenix) and 9th (Richmond). Take note in that 9th at Richmond, Busch was better than his result but was served a penalty in the final Stage (tape on grill) which likely cost him a top five.

Make sure you read the full spectrum of our World Wide Technology Raceway Fantasy NASCAR Rankings

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