Fantasy NASCAR Asterisk Mark Report – Iowa (2024)

Kyle Larson – Kyle Larson had a rocket last summer at Iowa but finished an asterisk mark 34th. In terms of “Performance”, I would say Larson was the only driver who had anything for Ryan Blaney, and I wouldn’t argue with anyone who says Larson was actually the best. In the race, Larson started on the pole, led 80 laps, finished 2nd in Stage #1, won Stage #2 but then early in the last Stage, Larson crashed shortly after a restart while running around 5th which led to his 34th. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Larson ranked 6th with his speed over the segments being 1st, 2nd, 3rd and then 34th.

Kyle Busch – Last year at Iowa, Kyle Busch was a top ten contender but finished an asterisk mark 35th. In the race, Busch started 7th, finished 10th in Stage #1, finished about 13th in Stage #2, was running in 10th on lap 257 but then on lap 267 while running in 10th, Busch got into the wall, damaged his suspension and then took the #8 to the garage.

Chris Buescher – Chris Buescher was a top ten contender last year at Iowa but he was the final caution and finished 18th as a result. In the race, Buescher finished 7th in Stage #2 (Lap 210), was running in 5th on lap 257 but then on lap 260 while running in 5th, he had a flat tire.

Denny Hamlin – Denny Hamlin had an ugly race last year at Iowa but I would say he was ultimately a top ten contender which I know is a semi-controversial take. In the race, Hamlin started 12th, fell back to 28th on lap 24, got lapped on lap 35 but he did bounce back. Hamlin finished 6th in Stage #2 but then early in the final Stage while running in the top ten, he was collected in the carnage of the Kyle Larson crash which led to his 24th.