Fantasy NASCAR Asterisk Mark Report – Darlington #1 2026

Chris Buescher – Chris Buescher legit ranked among the best this spring at Darlington, but he finished an asterisk mark 9th. In the race, Buescher finished 6th in Stage #1, finished 2nd in Stage #2, was in 2nd on lap 241 but then when he was coming to pit road for his final green flag pit stop, Reddick got into the back of him which led to the #17 slamming into the wall. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Buescher ranked 3rd with his speed over the segments being 7th, 2nd, 2nd and then 9th (segment he slammed into the wall). Additionally, Buescher had the 2nd best average running position (4.1) and led 41 laps.

Bubba Wallace – This spring at Darlington, Bubba Wallace looked like a top five contender but finished an asterisk mark 34th. In the race, Wallace started 2nd, finished 4th in Stage #1 but then during the Stage #1 caution, Wallace had a slow pit stop that dropped him back to 16th. Then early in Stage #2 on lap 111, Wallace was involved in the Hamlin/Jones caution and broke his toe link, dooming him to his poor result.

Kyle Larson – This spring, Kyle Larson was top ten good but finished an asterisk mark 32nd. In the race, Larson finished 5th in Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, had the 4th best average running position (6.8) but in the last Stage, he fell back a little, was in 11th on lap 280 but then just after that on lap 286 he broke his toe link and made an unexpected pit stop which led to his 32nd. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Larson ranked 12th but take note his speed over the segments were 6th, 4th, 8th and then 33rd

Denny Hamlin – Denny Hamlin finished 11th this spring at Darlington but I would get out an asterisk mark for that result. In the race, Hamlin started 9th, finished about 13th in Stage #1, had contact with Erik Jones on lap 111, was up to 4th on lap 170 but then shortly after that, Hamlin said something didn’t feel right and rapidly dropped back to 11th to conclude Stage #2. Then during the Stage #2 caution, Hamlin pitted early to diagnose the #11, which dropped him back to 24th. Then over the last Stage, Hamlin raced hard to come home 11th. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Hamlin ranked 8th with his speed over the segments being 12th, 3rd, 23rd and then 6th.