Atlanta Ambetter Health 400 Fantasy NASCAR Front Runner Rankings

Denny Hamlin
Atlanta Fantasy Outlook – Denny Hamlin is an elite superspeedway performer who’ll be a factor at Atlanta, if he actually chooses to race unlike last summer. On the new surface, Hamlin has had problems while running in the top seven in 4 of his 6 races, and in his one incident free race he finished 6th. If Hamlin can avoid trouble, look for him to finish near the front.
Atlanta Track History – Denny Hamlin has been one of the best on the new surface at Atlanta, despite what you’ll see in the results column thanks to four spins/crashes late while running in the top 7. Last summer, Hamlin had a shameful performance. Hamlin raced with zero percent effort and then on the last lap while running around the mid 20’s he still wrecked, dooming him to his 24th. Additionally, Hamlin had a 30.8 average running position and ranked 34th in terms of Driver Rating. Last spring, nobody had a more eventful race than Hamlin and he finished an asterisk mark 24th. In the race, Hamlin was spun into the grass on lap 52 while running in 6th, was damaged in a wreck on lap 159 while running in 6th again and then later on lap 239 while running in 4th, Hamlin was damaged in an accident after contact with Briscoe. Despite that laundry list of problems, Hamlin led 15 laps and had a 9.1 average running position. In summer 2023, Hamlin finished 14th but you can bring out an asterisk mark for that finish. On lap 155 which was late in Stage #2, Hamlin was spun while running in 7th, which drop kicked him back to the high 20’s, with not much race remaining until the rain. In spring 2023, Hamlin finished 5th in Stage #1, 8th in Stage #2, had the 3rd best average running position (6.3), led 14 laps and then finished 6th. In summer 2022, the #11 looked to be one of the best handling cars in the hot/slick race conditions and was a top five contender but Hamlin was “Chastain’ed” late which led to his 25th. In the race, Hamlin finished 8th in Stage #1, finished just outside the top ten in Stage #2 but then with 15 to go while running in 4th, Hamlin had contact with Chastain and then the #11’s afternoon nosedived. In the race, Hamlin had a 9.3 average running position, the 10th best Total Speed Ranking and led 2 laps. In spring 2022, Hamlin looked solid, but he crashed and finished an asterisk mark 29th. In the race, Hamlin finished 2nd in Stage #1, was running in 12th on lap 141, but then on lap 145 the #11 was damaged in the “Big One.” Hamlin rebounded since his car wasn’t too damaged and on lap 197, he was running 5th. Shortly after that on lap 208, Larson spun and hit the #11 and that marked the end of his race.

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Tyler Reddick
Atlanta Fantasy Outlook – Tyler Reddick has a super ugly resume at Atlanta, so pick him at your own risk. Reddick’s finished 27th or worse in 4 of the 6 races but in his two others starts he’s finished in the top 6, so he’s certainly a capable performer. If Reddick can avoid trouble, I think he has a good chance to walk away with a solid result.
Atlanta Track History – Tyler Reddick has run well at Atlanta but with him finishing between 27th to 30th in 4 of the 6 races, he’ll be flying below the radar. Last summer, Reddick had a solid showing. In the race, Reddick finished 6th and earned the 13th best Driver Rating. I will note, Reddick benefitted from the late attrition and on lap 256 before the late caution and overtime carnage he was in 11th. Last spring, Reddick finished 30th after he was caught up in the lap #2 “Big One.” In summer 2023, Reddick looked sporty but finished an asterisk mark 27th. In the race, Reddick finished 9th in Stage #1 but then in Stage #2 he got a pit penalty (in 10th shortly before that), rebounded back up to 11th on lap 120 but then on lap 123 he was collected in carnage, leading to his poor result. In spring 2023, Reddick had a strong showing and finished 5th. In 2022, Reddick looked good in both races, but he was 2 for 2 at getting high 20’s DNF’s. In summer 2022, Reddick led 13 laps, finished 2nd in Stage #2 but then early in the final Stage on lap 170, Reddick was collected in a multi-car crash that led to his 29th. In spring 2022, Reddick was fast but finished a misleading 28th. In the race, Reddick finished 8th in Stage #1, led 5 laps, was the leader on lap 141, but then on lap 145 he spun near the front of the field (tire went down) and the “Big One” then ensued in his wake.

Chris Buescher
Atlanta Fantasy Outlook – Chris Buescher is a strong superspeedway racer and at Atlanta, look for Buescher to race hard and come home with a good finish if he can avoid trouble. Buescher’s Atlanta track record is all over the board with two top 10’s, one teen finish but then over the other three races he’s crashed and finished in the 30’s. If Buescher can have an incident free race, I think he’ll have a successful afternoon.
Atlanta Track History – Chris Buescher has run well at Atlanta and is better than his track record (22.5 average finish). Over the six races, Buescher’s either looked good or he’s crashed. Last summer, Buescher didn’t look bad, but he crashed and finished 36th. On lap 201 Buescher was in 9th but then on lap 205, Buescher got loose and caused an accident which marked his own demise. That crash happened in the last Stage, and Buescher was clearly at his best at that point in the race. Last spring, Buescher finished 9th, despite having multiple problems. Buescher spun while running in 7th on lap 25 and was then later caught up in a wreck while running in 5th on lap 159. Despite his problems, Buescher had a 13.1 average running position. In summer 2023, Buescher was one of the best and his 15th place finish doesn’t do him justice. In the race, Buescher finished 3rd in Stage #2, led the 2nd most laps (39), had the 5th best average running position and earned the 7th best Driver Rating. Take note that Stage #2, 3rd place finish, is a great reference point for “Performance” since that is where a pit strategy split came into play which largely led to his 15th, since most of the drivers who finished up front didn’t pit. In spring 2023, Buescher was a top ten contender but finished an asterisk mark 35th. In the race, Buescher finished 8th in Stage #1, finished 6th in Stage #2, led 5 laps, was running in 10th on lap 185 but then on lap 189 he was caught up in a multi-car wreck. In 2022, Buescher crashed in the summer (33rd) and then finished 7th in the spring.

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