Here are my Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this week’s Coca-Cola 600 At Charlotte Motor Speedway
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win in Charlotte
Martin Truex Jr.
With single-digit finishes in every race at Charlotte since 2015, the 19 is a smart bet for another win on Sunday night. His road course run last week was disappointing, but a Coca-Cola 600 win would sweeten everything right back up. I’m betting on a Truex win.
Wins at Charlotte: 3
Top-5 finishes: 7
Top-10 finishes: 13
Kevin Harvick
Is Kevin Harvick hot? No. Is he cold? No. He’s warm right now, making this a great time to heat up at a track where he’s had such great luck. After a lousy finish last week in Texas, a win at the Coca-Cola 600 is just what he needs to put a smile back on his face.
Wins at Charlotte: 3
Top-5 finishes: 9
Top-10 finishes: 19
Chase Elliott
Now that Chase got his first win over with, it might come easier to start racking them up. He’s had success at Charlotte with impressive finishes in the last five races. Expect the No. 9 team to hold on for the whole 600 miles and cap his night with a victory.
Wins at Charlotte: 1
Top-5 finishes: 4
Top-10 finishes: 5
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for Charlotte
Kurt Busch
Other than a couple of wonky finishes in the last five years, Kurt Busch has been impressive at Charlotte, finishing somewhere in the top ten. This has probably been one of the most disappointing seasons for the No. 1 team, but the 600 brings out the pro in every professional. Sleeper pick etiquette 101 says: don’t overlook this team at Charlotte.
Wins at Charlotte: 1
Top-5 finishes: 8
Top-10 finishes: 15
Tyler Reddick
Who knows what might have happened last weekend if the race wasn’t rained out before the end. Tyler Reddick has been gaining momentum since Atlanta, with impressive runs each week. For a long night-race in Charlotte, I’m betting on this young gun to have the stamina to stay alert, keep cool, and make a move that gets him a win.
Wins at Charlotte: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 1
Brad Keselowski
I believe that Brad Keselowski has the ability to hang out for 600 laps at a night race in steaming-hot Charlotte. Yep. Though this season has been far from perfect, he does have a win in the mix. And it’s likely that he’ll get another one if everything goes his way on Sunday.
Wins at Charlotte: 2
Top-5 finishes: 5
Top-10 finishes: 10
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup for Charlotte this week
Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell has DNF’d here seven times. Though he’s had a few good races this season, don’t count on much at the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night.
Wins at Charlotte: 0
Top-5 finishes: 0
Top-10 finishes: 0
Ryan Newman
Following McDowell, Ryan Newman has had six DNFs at Charlotte. And zero wins. It’s probably a good idea to keep him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup this week.
Wins at Charlotte: 0
Top-5 finishes: 5
Top-10 finishes: 15
Austin DIllon
Just because he has a win here, it doesn’t mean he’s a shoe-in. Austin Dillon hasn’t done much with the Charlotte track in recent years, and I don’t expect anything great on Sunday. Best to keep him in the pits until a better track comes along.
Wins at Charlotte: 1
Top-5 finishes: 1
Top-10 finishes: 3
