Pocono Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

William Byron
Pocono Fantasy Spin – William Byron is a strong performer at Pocono who I would really like if he wasn’t in the midst of his long running slump. Over the last 12 races heading into the weekend, Byron’s only finished in the top ten once, and that result was a 9th. Also over his ongoing slump, Byron hasn’t had back-to-back top 15’s once, and take note he just finished 11th at New Hampshire. Last year at Pocono, Byron was one of the best and on Sunday, I’m going to view him as a risky top ten contender.
Pocono Track History – William Byron has performed at a high-level at Pocono and over the last eight races, Byron has six top tens, an 8.2 average finish and he’s had a result in the top 14 every race. Last year in race #2, Byron had a great car and was the leader until 3 to go when he had to come in for a splash of gas which relegated him to a 12th. Additionally, Byron won Stage #2, led 22 laps, had an 8.5 average running position and had a skewed 8th best Total Speed Ranking. In Pocono #1 2021, Byron finished 2nd in Stage #1, 4th in Stage #2, led 13 laps, had a 7.3 average running position and then finished 3rd when the checkered flag waved. In terms of speed analytics, Byron had the 4th best Total Speed Ranking and was the 5th Fastest Driver Late In A Run. In 2020 #2, Byron was strong. In the race he started 7th, finished 7th, had the 11th best Total Speed Ranking and was the 7th Fastest Driver Late In A Run. In race #1 2020, Byron finished 14th, had a 15.1 average running position and had the 15th best Total Speed Ranking. In the three Pocono races prior to that, Byron had results of 4th, 9th and 6th.

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Alex Bowman
Pocono Fantasy Spin – At Pocono, look for Alex Bowman to be a high single-digit to low double-digit driver. That’s essentially Bowman’s weekly baseline level of performance, and it matches up with how he’s run in 2 of his last 3 races here. That said, Bowman is in a slump. He hasn’t had a top ten since Charlotte and in 3 of the last 4 races he’s DNF’ed.
Pocono Track History – Alex Bowman has run well at Pocono and over the last three races, Bowman’s 5.7 average finish ranks as the 3rd best. Last year in race #2, Bowman started 20th, led 18 laps (pit strategy), finished 7th, had the 4th best Total Speed Ranking but take note over the last two segments, he had speed rankings of 2nd and 1st. In 2021 #1, Bowman raced his way to victory lane after Larson had a flat tire in the final turn. That said, Bowman was in position to take advantage of the situation. In the race, Bowman led 16 laps, had the 10th best Total Speed Ranking and over the final segment, the #48 was the 3rd fastest car on the track. In 2020 #2, Bowman finished 9th, had a 16.1 average running position and had the 12th best Total Speed Ranking. I’ll note, Bowman got faster as the race progressed. His speed over the segments were 19th, 15th, 13th and then 8th. In race #1 2020, Bowman showed potential, but finished an asterisk mark 27th. In the race he finished 9th in Stage #1, 6th in Stage #2 but then in the final Stage while he was running around the mid-teens on lap 115, he had a flat tire which led to his poor result. In terms of speed analytics, Bowman had the 7th best Total Speed Ranking and ranked as the 9th Fastest Driver Late In A Run.

Daniel Suarez
Pocono Fantasy Spin – At Pocono, look for Daniel Suarez to run well and have a solid showing. “Performance Wise”, I think he’s a teens driver, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he sneaks in a top ten. Suarez has had success here in the past and prior to his Sonoma win, Pocono was the site of his best finish which was a 2nd in 2018. One attribute I like about Suarez is his recent form. Over the last six races heading into the weekend, Suarez’s 9.8 average finish ranks as the 5th best.
Pocono Track History – Daniel Suarez has been solid at Pocono and for his career minus 2020 when he drove the #96, Suarez has a 13.5 average finish and a 13.3 average running position. Last year, Suarez finished in the teens both races. In 2021 #2, Suarez was a mid-teens performer. In the race he finished 15th and had a 15.2 average running position. In race #1 2021, Suarez finished 13th and had a 13.6 average running position. In 2020 when he drove the #96 which wasn’t a competitive situation, Suarez had results of 26th and 28th. For fantasy purposes, I wouldn’t read into those results. In 3 of his 5 Pocono starts prior to that, Suarez finished in the top 8.

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