NASCAR Fantasy Picks: 1000 Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway  

This week’s NASCAR fantasy picks for the 1000 Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Last Week’s NASCAR Fantasy Picks: Recap from the Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway

Brilliant picks:

• Martin Truex Jr. – 2nd
• Chase Elliot – 38th (DNF)
• Kyle Larson – WINNER

Bold picks:

• Jimmie Johnson– 8th
• Erik Jones – 15th
• Kevin Harvick – 4th

Bonkers picks:

• Aric Almirola – 17th
• Ryan Newman – 22nd
• Clint Bowyer – 10th

This week’s Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR Fantasy picks for the 1000 Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway

Brilliant NASCAR fantasy picks

Aric Almirola

• Wins: 1
• Top 5 finishes: 3
• Top 10 finishes: 7

Talladega is a track where anything can happen. It’s a track where the only thing you should expect is the unexpected. Though it may seem unexpected to some, I expect that Aric Almirola has the best shot at victory lane at Talladega on Sunday. With a newly signed deal at both SHR and Smithfield, he’ll simply let his relief carry him into the next round of the playoffs.

Joey Logano

• Wins: 3
• Top 5 finishes: 8
• Top 10 finishes: 10

It’s obvious that Logano has a good history at Talladega Superspeedway. What’s less obvious is the reason behind his ho-hum performances since July. Logano has been up and down this season, but if there’s one thing I know for sure, he’s going to give his all to stay up this Sunday.

Alex Bowman

• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 1
• Top 10 finishes: 2

Bowman came in second at Talladega in the spring, and he seems to have the right stuff to beat that by one on Sunday. He’s been hot in his last two races, and there’s no way he’s ready to cool down just yet. Look for the 88 to take some chances on Sunday that will help him cruise into the playoffs before anyone else on Hendrick can do the same.

Bold NASCAR fantasy picks

Kurt Busch

• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 8
• Top 10 finishes: 20

Kurt may be out of the playoffs, but he’s still in it to win it. His top 10 finish at Dover last week might have given him a jolt, and that’s just what he needs to push through the wreckage and get in front at Talladega.  He does a good job navigating tricky tracks like this, and I think he’ll get back to form on Sunday.

 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

• Wins: 1
• Top 5 finishes: 5
• Top 10 finishes: 7

Stenhouse had an accident that led him to a 25th place finish in the spring, but his autumn appearances at Talladega have been in the top 5 for years. It’s his best track, after all. This guy is looking for a ride next year, and the best way to find a new boss is to come out with tires squealing. As long as the 17 team can keep it all together on Sunday, there’s a good chance for victory.

Denny Hamlin

• Wins:
• Top 5 finishes:
• Top 10 finishes:

Denny hasn’t been in the best position in recent weeks, and his loss at Dover was painful after leading so many laps. I expect the No. 11 to come on strong at Talladega. As long as his pit crew stays sharp, his spotter is on the ball, and Denny can avoid trouble, this might be the week that this JGR driver gets back to where he belongs.

Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks

Martin Truex Jr.

• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 2
• Top 10 finishes: 8

If Truex happens to find his way to the front this week, I’ll be in awe. This is quite possibly his worst track if you consider those stats above. He’s had three DNFs here in the past five races, and his average finish is 21st. I’m staying away from the No. 19 in fantasy this week.

Kyle Busch

• Wins: 1
• Top 5 finishes: 6
• Top 10 finishes: 8

It’s not that Kyle Busch can’t grab a top-10 spot this week at Talladega, it’s that I can’t see him grabbing the top spot. Of course, this is a track where the unexpected…well, you get the drift. Kyle has run into one mess after another in the past few weeks, and this is a track that’s chock full of messes. I wouldn’t count on the 18 for anything more than a stage win, at best.

Kyle Larson

• Wins: 0
• Top 5 finishes: 0
• Top 10 finishes: 2

It’s a good thing that Larson punched his ticket last week, because this is a lousy track for the No. 42. He has no pressure and nothing to worry about, so I don’t expect him to take any unnecessary chances. This might work to his advantage and lead to a decent finish, but it won’t lead to another win.