Atlanta Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Austin Cindric
Atlanta Fantasy Outlook – Superspeedway racing is a primary strength for Austin Cindric, so put him on your radar at Atlanta. Cindric was one of the best this spring and over the last four Atlanta races, Cindric has the 2nd best average finish (7.5), the 3rd best Average Running Position and the 5th best Driver Rating. To avoid a first-round bounce, performing at a high-level in this race is a must.
Atlanta Track History – Austin Cindric has run well at Atlanta. This spring, Cindric was a standout performer. In the race, Cindric won Stage #2, had the 2nd best average running position (8.3), had the 3rd best average running position and then finished 4th. Last summer, Cindric had one of his better 2023 races. In the race, Cindric finished 7th in Stage #1, finished 4th in Stage #2, led 10 laps, had the 3rd best average running position (7.3), earned the 3rd best driver rating and then finished 12th. I’ll note, Cindric pitted during the Stage #2 caution, so that led to his slightly misleading result. In spring 2023, Cindric finished 2nd in Stage #1, won Stage #2, had a 7.5 average running position and then finished 11th overall. In summer 2022, Cindric looked lost early, but he rebounded in a big way over the final Stage to finish 3rd. In spring 2022, Cindric showed some potential but crashed twice and finished 32nd. On lap 145 he was involved in his first crash. On lap 141 just prior to that he was running in 17th. For much of the race prior to that he typically ran between the low double-digits to mid-teens. Later on lap 202, Cindric was collected in the Stenhouse crash and just prior to that he was running in 9th.

Ty Gibbs
Atlanta Fantasy Outlook – At Atlanta, look for Ty Gibbs to have a solid showing. Gibbs has been pretty solid here when it comes to the results column and in 2 of his 3 races, he’s finished in the top ten and over all three he’s been a top ten contender. If Gibbs can avoid trouble which is half the battle, I think he has a great chance to walk away with a good result.
Atlanta Track History – Ty Gibbs has been pretty sporty at Atlanta, finishing in the top ten in 2 of his 3 Cup races and having an Xfinity win under his belt with a last lap pass. This spring, the attrition rate was sky high, but Gibbs evaded the mass mayhem and finished 10th. Last summer, Gibbs showed potential but finished an asterisk mark 34th. In the race, Gibbs finished around 11th in Stage #1, was in 14th on lap 120 but then on lap 123, Corey LaJoie spun and then Gibbs was damaged in a wreck. In spring 2023, Gibbs had a solid showing and finished 9th. To close out the race, the #54 had speed and from the late caution (around lap 210) until the conclusion, he basically ran in the top ten.

Michael McDowell
Atlanta Fantasy Outlook – Michael McDowell is at his best at superspeedways so make sure he’s on your radar. McDowell looked great this spring, was strong last summer and there’s really no reason to think he’ll be a letdown. One variable you might like about him is that he won’t be driving scared when many of the Playoff drivers might be doing so.
Atlanta Track History – At Atlanta, Michael McDowell has been great and over the last two races, he’s 2 for 2 at finishing in the top ten and has a 6.0 average finish. This spring, the #34 was fast and McDowell finished 8th. In the race, McDowell started on the pole, led 27 laps, won Stage #1 but then in Stage 2 on lap 134 during green flag pit stops, McDowell crashed with Byron. Somehow McDowell stayed on the lead lap but even more crazy is no caution came out. Over the last Stage, McDowell slowly bounced back and he went on to finish 8th. Last summer, Atlanta really seemed to click for Michael McDowell, and he ran great throughout. In the race, McDowell finished 8th in Stage #1, 8th in Stage #2, earned the 10th best Driver Rating and then finished 4th overall. During the Stage #2 caution, McDowell elected to roll the dice and stayed out, and that was the right decision. Last spring, McDowell was the definition of mid-pack, finishing 21st and having a 19.8 average running position. In 2022, McDowell had results of 15th and 34th.

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