EchoPark Speedway Autotrader 400 Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Rankings / Post Qualifying Predictions
On Sunday, buckle up since NASCAR will be heading to EchoPark Speedway for the Autotrader 400. At EchoPark, 7 of the 8 races have had a pass for the win with 2-laps or less to go, so make sure you stay tuned until the very end. EchoPark is a 1.5-mile superspeedway where drafting is king, and drivers race hard to make passes. The best approach to the weekend for evaluating drivers is to study the last eight races and then note “General Superspeedway Racing Prowess.” This weekend, a new right-side tire that NASCAR uses at other 1.5-mile tracks is debuting, so there’s tease potential of higher tire wear.
No practice was held. Here’s the EchoPark Starting Lineup which was set by the metric.
EchoPark Fantasy NASCAR Full Field Fantasy Rankings
1) Joey Logano
Start 2nd / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – High
EchoPark Fantasy Outlook – 2-time EchoPark winner, Joey Logano is one of the premiere superspeedway racers in NASCAR and there’s no doubt he’ll be a factor in the EchoPark Speedway Auto Trader 400. In terms of “Performance” at EchoPark, Logano’s been elite and in the Next Gen, Logano’s averaged leading the most laps per race (41.6), has the 2nd best Driver Rating, the 3rd best average running position and his average finish ranks as the 13th best (16.3), despite having quite a few asterisk mark results. Last year, Logano led the most laps in both races and was strong, but the results column highly underrates him. Last summer, Logano started on the pole, led the most laps (51), finished 3rd in Stage #1 but then basically at the start of Stage #2, Logano was caught up in the “Big One”, leading to his 36th. Last spring, Logano led the most laps (83), had the 3rd best average running position (7.0), earned the 3rd best Driver Rating and then finished 12th overall. To close out the race for whatever reason, Logano ran low double-digits or worse over about the last 40 laps. In summer 2024, Logano was clutch and raced his way to victory lane. In the race, Logano led 9 laps, had the best average running position (8.8) and earned the 4th best Driver Rating. In spring 2024, Logano was one of the best but finished an asterisk mark 28th. In the race, Logano led 27 laps, was running in 2nd on lap 155 but then shortly after that on lap 159 while running in 4th, he crashed after doing a bad block. In 2023, Logano had results of 17th (2nd best average running position, 5th best driver rating, led 11 laps, just not at his best to close out) and 1st (led 140 laps. 4.1 average running position).
DraftKings $10,000/ FanDuel $13,500
2) Ryan Blaney
Start 22nd / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
EchoPark Fantasy Outlook – Ryan Blaney is a super-elite performer at EchoPark and there’s no doubt the #12 will be fast and be a factor. Blaney’s performed at a super-elite level and in the Next Gen minus last summer where he crashed, Blaney’s average finish is 6.7. Even including his crash last summer, Blaney still has the best Driver Rating, Speed Ranking and the best average running position in the Next Gen. Last summer, Blaney looked good and there’s every reason to think he would’ve finished well but he crashed in the closing laps of Stage #1, leading to his 40th. For much of the Stage prior to his wreck, Blaney ran in the top ten. Last spring, Blaney was stout and finished 4th despite his race not being incident free. In the race, Blaney started 1st, earned the best Driver Rating, had a 9.8 average running position, led 1 lap and then finished 4th, which he had to earn by racing hard late. On lap 233 while running in 4th, Blaney was spun. In summer 2024, Blaney was a standout performer. In the race, Blaney earned the best driver rating, led the 3rd most laps (33) and had the 3rd best average running position (6.0), despite being involved in a multi-car wreck in the last Stage, but he battled back to finish 3rd. In spring 2024, Blaney nearly raced his way to victory lane but was inched at the finish line and finished 2nd. Additionally, Blaney had the best average running position (6.6), earned the best Driver Rating and led the 3rd most laps (31). Over the four races prior to that, Blaney had results of 9th, 7th, 5th and 17th (crashed on the last lap while running in 4th).
DraftKings $10,200/ FanDuel $14,000
Further Recommended Reading – EchoPark Quick Rankings, EchoPark Projected Finish Ranges, DraftKings EchoPark Playability Value Chart, FanDuel EchoPark Playability Value Chart
3) Chase Elliott
Start 4th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
EchoPark Fantasy Outlook – Look for Chase Elliott to be tough to beat at his home track. Elliott’s a 2-time winner, has the best average finish (9.1), the 2nd best Average Running Position, the 2nd best Next Gen Speed Ranking and has the 3rd best Driver Rating. Over his incident free races (minus spring 2025 and spring 2024), Elliott has a 5.8 average finish, and he’s had a result in the top 13 every race. Last summer, the #9 was fast and maneuverable and Elliott capped off his evening in victory lane. In the race, Elliott had a race best 6.1 average running position, earned the 2nd best Driver Rating and led the 2nd most laps (41). Last spring, Elliott had a tough afternoon and finished 20th. In the race, Elliott finished 5th in Stage #1 but then late in Stage #2 while running in 9th, Elliott slammed into the wall hard and then Keselowski nailed him which makes his 20th look pretty good. In summer 2024, Elliott earned the 8th best Driver Rating, had an 8.7 average running position and then finished 8th overall. In spring 2024, Elliott finished 15th after having an eventful race. In the race, Elliott finished 10th in Stage #2, was running in 11th on lap 245 but then on lap 248 while running right around 10th, Elliott was involved in an accident. Over his three races prior to that, Elliott had results of 13th, 1st and 6th.
DraftKings $9,900/ FanDuel $13,000
