Daytona 500 Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks
Denny Hamlin
Daytona 500 Bottom Line – Denny Hamlin is a super-elite performer at Daytona, and in the “Great American Race”, the road to victory lane likely goes thru him. Hamlin’s dominated the Daytona 500 on numerous occasions, and his level of performance has been off the charts over an extended period of time. In Daytona 500’s going back to 2014, Hamlin has 3-wins and in 7 of the 9 races he’s finished in the top 5. Over the last five Daytona races minus last year, Hamlin has 2 wins and a 2.5 average finish. When it comes to pure superspeedway racing talent, Hamlin is without question one of the best in the business. In 2022 on this track type, Hamlin only had 1 good result (top five at Talladega in the fall), but in terms of performance, I would contend he was 4 for 4 at being a top five contender. In the Daytona 500 where Denny Hamlin always steps up his game, you better believe he’ll be tough to beat.
Daytona Track History – Denny Hamlin had a down 2022 at Daytona due to accidents, but he certainly didn’t lack when it came to performance. Last summer, Hamlin was involved in two accidents while running in the top 3. His first was on lap 30 while running in 3rd, but that was ultimately a harmless spin. In Stage #2, Hamlin bounced back to finish 3rd. Hamlin’s next accident was in the “Rain Big One”, and at the time of his demise at that time which led to his 25th he was running in 2nd. In the race, Hamlin led 13 laps, had the 2nd best driver rating and had a 10.9 average running position. In last year’s Daytona 500, Hamlin looked great but finished an asterisk mark 37th. In the race, Hamlin started 30th, was up to 5th on lap 62, but then the very next lap, Keselowski caused a “Big One” which marked the end of Hamlin’s afternoon. In summer 2021, Hamlin was strong, but was involved in multiple accidents which led to him finishing a misleading 13th. In the race, Hamlin led 7 laps and finished 2nd in Stage #1. Then in Stage #2 on lap 77, Hamlin was involved in a multi-car accident and got damage to his nose. Hamlin rebounded and was up to 2nd on lap 156 (4 to go), but then on lap 157 he was involved in another multi-car accident. In the 2021 Daytona 500, Hamlin was the class of the field. In the race, Hamlin won Stage #1, won Stage #2, led a race high 98 laps but finished a misleading 5th. The final pit cycle which was manufacturer driven cost him the race. Just prior to the final pit cycle, Hamlin was the leader. In 2020, Hamlin finished 3rd in the summer and once again won the Daytona 500.
Ryan Blaney
Daytona 500 Bottom Line – Ryan Blaney is an elite performer at Daytona who’ll be tough to beat in the “Great American Race.” Blaney’s won here previously in the summer (2021), and on numerous other occasions, he’s come close to victory lane. Since 2020 at Daytona minus last summer and the 2021 Daytona 500 (caught up in a “Big One” both races), Blaney’s average finish is 3.25, with him finishing in the top 6 every race. When it comes to racing at “Big Superspeedways”, Blaney is without question one of the best in the business and over the last 13 races on this track type, Blaney has 3-wins and in 9 of those races he’s finished in the top 11. Last year at big superspeedways over the combined events, Blaney had a series best 8.0 average finish, he averaged leading the most laps per race (22.5) and his driver rating ranked as the 4th best. At Talladega, the other big superspeedway on the schedule, Blaney finished 2nd in the fall and 11th in the spring (was in 2nd with 5 to go).
Daytona Track History – Ryan Blaney has been elite at Daytona and over his last four incident free races, his average finish is 3.25. Last summer when his Playoff hopes were on the line, Blaney crashed early but thanks to the extreme attrition rate he walked away with a 15th, despite finishing 6 laps down. On lap 28 Blaney was running in 3rd, but then two laps later while running near the front of the pack he was involved in a “Big One.” In last year’s Daytona 500, Blaney was very competitive and finished 4th. In the race, Blaney led the 2nd most laps (36) and had the 4th best average running position (8.3). In summer 2021, Blaney had a great performance and raced his way to victory lane. In the race, Blaney finished 6th in Stage #2, led 7 laps and consistently ran near the front when the trophy was on the line. On lap 155 shortly before the final “big one” ensued he was running in 4th. In the 2021 Daytona 500, Blaney looked to have a great car but was involved in the lap 13 “Big One” which led to his 30th. In 2020, Blaney had Daytona results of 6th (Summer) and 2nd (D-500).
Bubba Wallace
Daytona 500 Bottom Line – Look for Bubba Wallace to be a factor in the Daytona 500. The #23 will be fast and has shown standout speed at superspeedways, and Wallace has proven himself to be an elite performer in the draft. Over the last two years at big superspeedways, Wallace has ranked among the best. He’s a fairly recent track type winner (Talladega, fall 2021), and over the last two years in terms of rank by average finish he ranked 5th last year (11.5), and 2nd in 2021 (9.75). At Daytona, Wallace has finished runner-up in 2 of the last 3 races and I would expect another strong showing from him in the Daytona 500.
Daytona Track History – At Daytona, Bubba Wallace has performed at a high-level, and he’s also been a fairly safe option having finished in the top 15 in 8 of his 11 starts. Over his career, Wallace’s average finish is 12.4, and that ranks as his best of any track visited three times or more. In recent Daytona races, Wallace has been especially strong and during his tenure in the #23 which dates back to 2021, Wallace has an 8.0 average finish (best among drivers who competed in every race) and in 3 of his 4 races he’s finished in the top 11. Last summer, the #23 was fast. In the race, Wallace finished 7th in Stage # 1, 5th in Stage #2 but then in the last Stage while running around 11th, Wallace was involved in a wreck. Wallace avoided the “Rain Big One” and then went on to finish 11th but take note he finished one lap down. In the 2022 Daytona 500, the #23 was strong and Wallace raced his way to the front at the end. In the race, Wallace finished 3rd in Stage #2, finished 2nd overall, led 12 laps and had a 10.2 average running position. In summer 2021, Wallace had a great evening and once again finished runner-up. Additionally, Wallace finished 9th in Stage #2, led 8 laps, had a 14th place average running position and was running in 9th at the start of “Over-time.” In the 2021 Daytona 500, Wallace had a great car and had standout speed but finished an asterisk mark 17th. In the race, Wallace started in the rear of the field, finished 7th in Stage #1, 3rd in Stage #2 and was running in 10th on lap 175 before he made an unexpected pit stop on lap 179 for having a loose wheel. Leading up to the Daytona 500, Wallace finished 2nd in his Duel 150.
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