Here is my selection of Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this weekend’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win in Bristol
Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski always finds a way to keep advancing to the next round. While he’s not on the bubble, he sure is rather low on the playoff pole. A win this week would give him some nice points as the playoffs continue. A clean race for the No.2 team can lead to a trip to Victory lane.
Bristol Wins: 3
Top-5 finishes: 6
Top-10 finishes: 7
Kyle Busch
Sometimes I feel like the deck is stacked against Kyle Busch. He rebounded nicely last week with a top-10 finish at Richmond, but can he play it cool and come out on top in Bristol? With a record like this, there’s no reason to doubt him.
Bristol Wins: 8
Top-5 finishes: 14
Top-10 finishes: 19
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott has been rather quiet. Not doing bad, but not finishing in first. I expect this could change very easily on a track where has yet to win but has plenty of experience racing. Lots of stage points here in the past; let’s see if he can make it a first-time victory at Bristol this weekend.
Bristol Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 5
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol
Christopher Bell
I kinda think that Christopher Bell will race well in Bristol, even though he’s sitting just fine as we go into the next round. For some reason, this kid strikes me as the type who can run the paperclip at night under pressure. He’s a sleeper, for sure, but one to keep an eye on.
Bristol Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 1
Tyler Reddick
Tyler Reddick is outside of the playoff window, but not by much. This driver is as scrappy and determined as they come. Expect the driver of the No. 8 to race his butt off on Saturday night for a spot in the round of 12.
Bristol Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 1
Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch is on the bottom of the pile. One false move and he’s out of the playoffs. He’ll think about this throughout the entire race and do everything in his power to make it to the next round. Don’t count out the No. 1 driver for a No. 1 finish Saturday night.
Bristol Wins: 6
Top-5 finishes: 12
Top-10 finishes: 21
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup in Bristol
Aric Almirola
Despite minor success at Bristol in the past, the majority of Aric Almirola’s trips here have ended early. No. 10 has seven DNFs at this track, far more than any other active driver. As long as he can ride well, he’ll stay in the playoffs. But don’t expect a win.
Bristol Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 4
Martin Truex Jr.
Yep. I said it. He’s on the pole, I know. But he’s been here 30 times and these numbers are all he has to show for it. That and four DNFs. The last time he finished inside the top five was in 2012. The No. 19 is already in the next round; don’t expect him to take any chances for the win on Saturday night.
Bristol Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 3
Alex Bowman
What in the heck happened to Alex Bowman? After a strong few races and three wins, his playoff hopes are on the line. He’s the first one below the cutoff line and while I know he’ll work as hard as he can, Bristol has never been kind to the newest driver of the No. 48. Take a pass on Bowman in your NASCAR fantasy lineup this week.
Bristol Wins: 0
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 2
