Kevin Harvick raced his way into the next round of the playoffs with an unexpected win in Darlington. After a late-race scuffle between the top two contenders for the win—Martin Treux Jr. and Chase Elliott—the No. 4 blew past the skirmish and into victory lane.
But will he be as lucky at Richmond Raceway where other drivers plan to punch their own ticket to the next round?
Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice guiding you to the Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers drivers for the Federated Auto Parts 400 on Saturday night under the lights at Richmond Raceway:
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot at winning in in Richmond
Martin Truex Jr.
Truex has won the last two races at this track. Having said that, his numbers here were kind of dreadful for the first six or seven years he ran at Richmond. Truex has been burning-hot for months and he likely would have pulled off a win last week if not for his last-minute mistake. Count on a good show from the No. 19 at Richmond.
Wins at Richmond: 2
Top 5 finishes: 5
Top 10 finishes: 11
Denny Hamlin
The No. 11 has fallen behind the numbers of the 4, but don’t count him out at his home track. Besides, after Harvick’s surprise win last weekend, Hamlin needs to even the pace. Denny has slowly become a top short-track driver, and you can bet he’s in it to win it this weekend.
Wins at Richmond: 3
Top 5 finishes: 13
Top 10 finishes: 17
Kevin Harvick
I dare not leave the No. 4 out of my NASCAR fantasy picks again. Harvick’s numbers at Richmond Raceway are quite similar to Hamlin’s, and he has the pole this weekend just to make things even better for his night. Though I’d peg him as the least likely of all my picks to grab the win here, there’s no reason why he can’t buzz that unnaturally freaky-fast car into victory lane once again.
Wins at Richmond: 3
Top 5 finishes: 15
Top 10 finishes: 25
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks
Clint Bowyer
If the first round of the playoffs ended today, Bowyer would be on the outside looking in. He needs a win this weekend in order to secure his playoff future. Though his crew chief is suspended this weekend for a lug nut violation in Darlington, I believe the No. 14 will work his tail off to make it happen.
Wins at Richmond: 2
Top 5 finishes: 5
Top 10 finishes: 16
Kyle Busch
Another driver who’s without his crew chief this weekend, Kyle Bush sits above the cutoff line for the next round of playoffs—but it’s not a comfortable seat. This is his track and he knows it like the back of his hand. If he can pull off a win on Saturday night, no one would be more relieved than the driver of the 18.
Wins at Richmond: 6
Top 5 finishes: 18
Top 10 finishes: 22
Joey Logano
Logano has had great numbers here since 2014, and he has a solid starting position at Richmond for Saturday night. Plus, he’s been on a largely unnoticed hot streak since the All-Star race: Only twice has the No. 22 finished outside the top-ten. His solid finishes have been overshadowed by the almost-freakish success of the 11 and 4, but don’t be surprised if this guy silently slides his way into the final round—starting with a win at Richmond.
Wins at Richmond: 2
Top 5 finishes: 9
Top 10 finishes: 12
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup this week
Erik Jones
I’d like to see Jones catch a break and nab a win on Saturday night, but this is one of his poorest showings on the circuit. Unless half the field wrecks in front of him, it’s unlikely he’ll have much to celebrate at the end of the night.
Wins at Darlington: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Stenhouse is great at restrictor plate racing, not so much at the short tracks. Give the No. 47 a pass this weekend.
Wins at Darlington: 0
Top 5 finishes: 1
Top 10 finishes: 2
Ryan Blaney
Blaney’s season had a hot streak that boosted him into the playoffs, but he’s been so-so for the last several races. With all of the bumping and grinding that happens on a short track, this isn’t the place to come back from a cool streak.
Wins at Darlington: 0
Top 5 finishes: 0
Top 10 finishes: 0
