Dover Fantasy NASCAR All-Star Race Front Runner Rankings

Alex Bowman
Dover Fantasy Outlook – Alex Bowman is an elite performer at Dover and among drivers currently not locked into Stage #3, he’s been the best at “The Monster Mile.” Bowman raced his way to victory lane in 2021, and in 7 of his last 8 races here, he’s finished in the top eight. In the Next Gen, Bowman has the best average finish (5.3), the best Driver Rating and ranks 3rd for Next Gen Speed Rankings. With Bowman recently finishing 3rd at Texas, there’s reason for optimism and I would view him as a top ten contender (if he makes Stage #3).
Dover Track History – Alex Bowman, the 2021 winner has performed at an elite level at Dover and over the last 8 races, Bowman has 6 top fives and only once has he finished outside the top 8. Over that stretch minus 2020 #1, Bowman has a 3.9 average finish. Last year, the #48 was strong and Bowman ranked among the best. In the race, Bowman started 16th, finished 5th in Stage #1, finished 2nd in Stage #2, had the 5th best average running position (6.2), earned the 4th best Driver Rating and then finished 3rd overall. In terms of speed stats, Bowman ranked 3rd for Total Speed Rankings and 4th for Speed Late In A Run. In 2024, Bowman finished 8th in Stage #1, finished 2nd in Stage #2, had a 7.0 average running position and then finished 8th when the checkered flag waved. In terms of speed stats, Bowman ranked 6th for Speed Late In A Run and had the 7th best Total Speed Ranking. In 2023, Bowman missed the race due to injury. In 2022, Bowman finished 5th, but you can even say that’s an asterisk mark result. On lap 324 while running in 2nd, Bowman was burned by a caution during the pit cycle which dropped him back to the mid-teens since nearly everyone else on the lead lap pitted before he did. In terms of speed stats, Bowman ranked 4th for speed late in a run and had the 5th best Total Speed Ranking. In 2021, Bowman led 98 laps and raced his way to victory lane.

NOTE: Drivers in this post are currently not locked into Stage #3 of the All-Star Race.

Chris Buescher
Dover Fantasy Outlook – Chris Buescher isn’t locked into Stage #3 of the All-Star Race, but there’s absolutely no reason why he shouldn’t make the “Main Event.” The #17 team is fast, week in and week out and at intermediates in 2026, Buescher is tied for 3rd in terms of Track Type Total Speed Rankings and in terms of the results column his 7.5 average finish ranks as the 5th best. At Dover in the Next Gen, Buescher is tied for the 5th best average finish (10.8), has the 11th best Driver Rating and ranks 12th in terms of Next Gen Speed Rankings. Heading into the weekend, I would just view him as a top ten contender.
Dover Track History – In the Next Gen at Dover, Chris Buescher has a 10.8 average finish and in terms of the results column, he’s 3 for 4 at finishing in either 8th or 9th. Last year, Buescher finished 9th but I wouldn’t say he was as good as his result. In the race, Buescher started 12th, finished Stage #1 in 19th, finished Stage #2 in 17th, was back in 20th on lap 380 before late wildness ensued, had a 17.3 average running position but then snuck in a 9th after all the late mayhem. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Buescher ranked 18th. In 2024, Buescher finished 17th, had the 17th best Total Speed Ranking and had a 15.5 average running position. In 2023, Buescher ran well throughout. In the race, Buescher started 5th, finished 6th in Stage # 1, finished 7th in Stage #2, had a 7.8 average running position and then finished 9th overall. In terms of speed analytics, Buescher had the 8th best Total Speed Ranking and ranked 12th for Speed Late In A Run. In 2022, Buescher won the pole, led 18 laps, finished 8th in Stage #1, finished 9th in Stage #2 and then finished 8th when the checkered flag waved. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Buescher ranked 5th.

Ryan Preece
Dover Fantasy Outlook – Among drivers not currently locked into Stage #3 of the All-Star Race, Ryan Preece and the #60 team rank among the best, so there’s no reason why he shouldn’t advance. On a weekly basis, they grind out 8th to 14th place finishes. That said, Dover hasn’t exactly been a bright spot on the schedule for Preece and in the Next Gen, Preece has a 20.3 average finish minus 2024 and his Next Gen Speed Ranking ranks 23rd.
Dover Track History – In the Next Gen at Dover, Ryan Preece ranks 23rd for both Speed Rankings and Driver Rating but has a 24.5 average finish (29th best). In 3 of the 4, Preece has finished between 17th to 25th. Last year, Preece had a forgettable afternoon and finished 19th. Additionally, Preece had a 17th place average running position and ranked 16th for Total Speed Rankings. In 2024, Preece finished 37th. On lap 68 while running in the low 30’s, Preece’s door foam was on fire and that led to a DNF. In 2023, Preece finished 17th. Additionally, Preece had a 20.9 average running position, ranked 19th for Speed Late In A Run and had the 20th best Total Speed Ranking. In 2022 in a tuned-up Rick Ware Racing entry, Preece finished 25th. In the race, Preece had a 20.2 average running position and the 22nd best Total Speed Ranking. That said, Preece didn’t have an incident free race. On lap 300 he was in 16th but then on lap 313 he made an unexpected pit stop and his team popped up his hood for some sort of engine related issue.

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