Daytona Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Brad Keselowski
Daytona Fantasy Spin – At Daytona, look for Brad Keselowski to be a factor in a fast #6. Keselowski’s a 7-time winner at superspeedways, and I have no question he’ll be fielding a car capable of reaching victory lane on Saturday night. RFK cars were standouts in this year’s Daytona 500, and over the last three races at superspeedways this year his average finish is a series best 4.3.
Daytona Track History – Brad Keselowski is a former Daytona winner (summer 2016) but overall, it ranks as his worst track in terms of average finish (23.1) among venues visited more than twice. Since winning in summer 2016, Keselowski only has 2 top tens, and in 9 of the 13 races since, he’s finished 22nd or worse. In this year’s Daytona 500, Keselowski was a standout performer. In the race, Keselowski won Stage #1, led a race high 42 laps, earned the 2nd best driver rating, had the 2nd best average running position (8.6), was the leader as late as lap 196 but then late in the race he got shuffled out of the lead by a group of Chevy’s and then crashed in overtime which led to his 22nd. Last summer at Daytona, you really can’t read into Keselowski’s afternoon since he completed just 31 laps, crashed and finished 35th. On lap 28 shortly before his demise he was running in 14th. In February 2022, Keselowski was one of the best. In the race he finished 2nd in Stage #1, 4th in Stage #2, led a race high 67 laps, had a race best 4.8 average running position, earned the 2nd best driver rating and then finished 9th when the checkered flag waved. At the start of overtime, Keselowski was running in 4th. In his Duel 150 leading up to the “Great American Race”, Keselowski raced his way to victory lane.

Joey Logano
Daytona Fantasy Spin – Joey Logano should be on your short list of favorites at Daytona. Logano is a super-elite superspeedway performer, and I’ve long viewed him as the perfect combination of being smart and aggressive on this track type. The results column hasn’t been so great for Logano on this track type over the last couple of years other than this year’s Daytona 500, but he hasn’t been lacking when it comes to performance.
Daytona Track History – At Daytona, Joey Logano is one of the best in the business, despite him having just 1 top ten over the last eight races, and in 5 of them him finishing 21st or worse. In terms of “What have you done lately”, Logano was stout at Daytona in February. In the Daytona 500, Logano finished 4th in Stage #2, led 12 laps and then finished 2nd when the checkered flag waved. It was a strong showing from the #22 crew. In the Duel 150 leading up to the 500, Logano led 29 laps, had a 2.8 average running position and raced his way to victory lane. Last year at Daytona, every time the #22 seen the track, Logano was strong, but he literally had problems while running in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Last summer, Logano won Stage #1, finished 4th in Stage #2, led 14 laps, had a race best 7.9 average running position, earned the best driver rating but finished 12th. In the last Stage, Logano was caught up in a wreck while running in 3rd. Last February in the Daytona 500, Logano was fast, but finished 21st. In the race, Logano started in the rear of the field in a backup car, finished 5th in Stage #1 and 2nd in Stage #2. Then in the final Stage, things went south. During the Stage #2 caution he had to pit twice and then on lap 150 while he was back in traffic, Logano was collected in a wrecked which damaged the #22. In his Duel 150 leading up to that Sunday, Logano nearly raced his way to victory lane but crashed while leading on the last lap. In summer 2021, Logano led 37 laps but got into the wall while running in 5th with 5 to go. In that year’s 500, Logano led 26 laps but was crashed on the last lap while leading.

Ryan Blaney
Daytona Fantasy Spin – Ryan Blaney is an elite superspeedway performer who’ll be a favorite at Daytona. Blaney won here in 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 4.2 and he’s had a result in the top 8 every race. In the Next Gen at big superspeedways, Blaney has a series best 7.0 average finish. At Talladega, the other big superspeedway on the schedule, Blaney currently has back-to-back 2nd’s.
Daytona Track History – Ryan Blaney has been elite at Daytona and over his last four incident free races, his average finish is 3.25. In this year’s Daytona 500, Ryan Blaney’s race was far from incident free but courtesy of extreme carnage he snuck in an 8th. In the race, Blaney was running in 2nd on lap 116, but then a few laps later on lap 118 he was collected in a “Big One” that did a ton of damage to the #12. Then early in Stage #2, the wounded #12 even lost a tire which brought out a caution. During the last lap carnage, Blaney was also involved so his 8th is remarkable!  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).

Make sure you read the full spectrum of our Daytona Fantasy NASCAR Rankings

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