Indianapolis Brickyard 400 Fantasy NASCAR Top Tier Elite Picks

Denny Hamlin
Indy Fantasy Outlook – In the Indianapolis Brickyard 400, Denny Hamlin will be Crown Jewel hunting and the road to victory lane likely goes thru him. Hamlin’s won all the other Crown Jewel races but kissing the bricks has eluded him. Hamlin’s been elite at Indy and been in contention to win many of the recent races, he’s arguably the premiere big flat track performer in NASCAR and he’s fresh off a trip to victory lane. There’s nothing to not like about Hamlin. At Pocono a few weeks ago, Hamlin finished 2nd, had a race best 4.4 average running position, led 32 laps and had the best Total Speed Ranking.
Indy Track History – Denny Hamlin has been a super elite performer at Indy. Hamlin’s never kissed the bricks but since 2014 minus 2024, 2020 and 2017 where he’s had misleading results, Hamlin’s finished in the top 6 every race and has a 4.2 average finish. Last year, Hamlin was a contender but finished a misleading 32nd. In the race, Hamlin started 2nd, won Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, had a 7.7 average running position, led 21 laps, was running in 5th on lap 156 but then on lap 157, Busch had contact with Hamlin and spun into the wall (#8 hit the wall) and as a result, Hamlin ducked down pit road for gas (and probably to check out his car) which dropped him way back in the pack. Then during a late restart, Hamlin crashed which led to his 32nd. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Hamlin ranked 2nd. Back in 2020 when the Brickyard was next most recently visited, Hamlin came close to victory lane but while leading with 7 laps to go, Hamlin had a flat tire and pounded the wall which led to his 28th. In the race, Hamlin finished 6th in Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, led 19 laps and had the best Total Speed Ranking. In 2019, Hamlin started in the rear of the field in a backup car, finished 8th in Stage #1, made an unexpected pit stop in Stage #2 which put him back in the pack and still rebounded to finish 6th. In 2018, Hamlin had a great car and if there wasn’t a late caution he was poised to win. When the checkered flag waved, Hamlin finished 3rd, earned the 2nd best driver rating, had a 5th place average running position and was tied for leading the most laps (37). In 2017, Hamlin was a top five contender but finished a misleading 17th. Late in the race while he was running in the top five he was caught up in a wreck. In the three races prior to that, Hamlin had results of 4th, 5th and 3rd.

Ryan Blaney
Indy Fantasy Outlook – Ryan Blaney and the #12 team perform at a super elite level at big flat tracks and at Indy, look for Blaney to be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win. At big flat tracks since 2024, Blaney has 1-win and a 2.3 average finish. This spring at Pocono which is the best comp track, Blaney finished 3rd and had the 7th best Total Speed Ranking. Last year at Indy, I think Blaney had a great chance to kiss the bricks if the #6 team didn’t all but gift wrap the win for the #5.
Indy Track History – Ryan Blaney had a hot rod last year at Indy and was likely poised to win if Brad Keselowski would’ve just pitted before the “Choose Cone” but instead, he pitted after which moved the #5 up to the front row in the inside lane to begin overtime. In the race, Blaney had the 2nd best average running position (7.4), earned the 2nd best Driver Rating and then finished 3rd when the checkered flag waved. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Blaney ranked 3rd. Back in 2020 in the next most recent race, Blaney showed potential but finished 32nd. In the race, Blaney was caught up in the competition caution mele on lap 15, but he bounced back. On lap 88 he was back up to 12th, but then he crashed which led to his misleading result. In 2019, Blaney was one of the best. In the race, Blaney finished 4th in Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, led 19 laps and finished 7th when the checkered flag waved. In 2018, Blaney finished 11th.

Kyle Larson
Indy Fantasy Outlook – Defending Indianapolis Brickyard 400 winner, Kyle Larson will be tough to beat as he defends his title. The #5 team can show up with elite speed and they’ll be going all out in this crown jewel race. At Pocono a few weeks ago, Larson finished 7th and had the 12th best Total Speed Ranking. On Sunday, look for Larson to be a top five contender who’ll be a factor to win.
Indy Track History – Last year at Indy, Kyle Larson was strong and raced his way to victory lane. I wouldn’t say Larson had the best car and he did get a late assist during an overtime restart. In the race, Larson earned the 3rd best Driver Rating, had the 5th best Total Speed Ranking and led 8 laps. During overtime, leader Brad Keselowski ducked down pit road after the “choose cones” were picked and that immediately bumped Larson up to the front row in the inside lane and from there, Larson hit the afterburners. Back in 2019 in his next most recent race, Larson finished 2nd in Stage #1, finished 2nd in Stage #2, led 5 laps but then crashed in the last Stage which led to his 33rd. On lap 126 which was three laps prior to his demise, Larson was running in 7th. In 2018, Larson finished 14th but he performed better than his result. In the race, Larson earned the 6th best driver rating and had a 9th place average running position. In 2017, Larson crashed like nearly everyone else and finished 28th. At the time of his demise with 6 laps to go he was running in 12th. In Larson’s three races prior to that, he had results of 5th, 9th and 7th.

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