This week’s NASCAR fantasy picks for the Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway.
Have you heard the news in qualifying? NASCAR announced this week that it will return to single-car qualifying at all oval tracks beginning this week at Dover. This will eliminate the bottle necks and last-minute starts that we’ve seen in early qualifying this spring, where Auto Club was an embarrassment and Texas was a downright tragedy. Despite all of the fast-fixes that competition officials tried to put in place to control the circus show, they were like band aids placed on wet skin: they just didn’t stick.
Watching individual runs is cool; it gives everyone a chance to see their favorite driver who might not otherwise get much screen time. For example, if you’re a Matt DiBenedetto fan, you’ll get to see the 95 in all his glory without other drivers stealing the spotlight. Plus, the new “ghost car” effect really brings perspective on the lines and positions drivers get into as they hit the ground running.
On oval tracks larger than 1.25 miles, a single timed lap will determine the starting lineup. Tracks 1.25 miles and shorter will get two single-car laps to show their stuff.
The newest qualifying rule ends a five-year run of the group format, though group qualifying will continue on road courses.
Last Week’s NASCAR Fantasy Picks: Recap From Talladega
Brilliant NASCAR fantasy picks:
- Brad Keselowski – finished 14th
- Joey Logano – finished 5th
- Clint Bowyer – finished 29th
Bold NASCAR fantasy picks:
- Aric Almirola – finished 8th
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – finished 25th
- Paul Menard – finished 16th
Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks:
- Ryan Newman – finished 7th
- Kyle Larson – finished 21st
- Erik Jones – finished 19th
And now, here are this week’s Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks for the Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway.
Brilliant NASCAR fantasy picks:
Chase Elliott
- Wins: 1
- Top 5 finishes: 5
- Top 10 finishes: 5
Okay so he won last week. Everyone knows that Talladega is full of surprises and unexpected wins. This week, it’s expected. He loves this track and this track loves him. And where there’s love, there’s always a win.
Martin Truex Jr.
- Wins: 2
- Top 5 finishes: 5
- Top 10 finishes: 14
You may have noticed that I haven’t picked Truex very often this season. Get ready for this to change. You’ll likely be seeing his name here a lot because we’re coming up on the tracks where he dominates. I predict Dover for win number 2. (Unless Jimmie Johnson sold his soul at the crossroads this week.)
Kyle Busch
- Wins: 2
- Top 5 finishes: 6
- Top 10 finishes: 17
Surprise! Not really. It was either Kyle or Harvick, and the number 4 seems to be having trouble getting it done right now. Besides, Kyle loves this track and he’s finished outside the top 5 two weeks running so I don’t expect him to sit back and let that happen again this week. I look for the 18 to push his way to the front in Dover to remind everyone just how great he is.
Bold NASCAR fantasy picks:
Jimmie Johnson
- Wins: 11
- Top 5 finishes: 17
- Top 10 finishes: 24
Why do I do this to myself? I do it because this is the 48’s best track. And I believe, somewhere deep inside, that this team is going to get it right at some point this season. They’re chasing #8, and I almost believe they can grab it if the stars align. (Or if he sold his soul at the crossroads this week.)
Daniel Suarez
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 1
- Top 10 finishes: 4
Believe it, baby. This kid has been caliente since coming over to SHR from JGR, and this is one of his best tracks when it comes to average finish. This could be the week that Suarez finally gets a win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, bringing tears to proud eyes across the nation.
Kyle Larson
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 4
- Top 10 finishes: 7
How long can one man have such bad luck? The 42 teams says: long enough. Before his epic flip at the end of last week’s race, Larson didn’t have that bad of a run. I expect him to take up the reigns and lead Ganassi to a win on Sunday.
Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks:
Ryan Blaney
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 0
- Top 10 finishes: 2
This guy is right in there with Larson when it comes to unmet expectations. But Blaney has come a lot closer, finishing in the top 5 at least 4 times this season. This isn’t his worst track, but it’s nowhere near his best, so I expect another mediocre finish for the 12. (Because, you know, the 48 might have sold his soul at the crossroads this week.)
Alex Bowman
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 0
- Top 10 finishes: 0
Sure, he’s only been here 6 times with this cup series, but his average finish is 29th. He was impressive last week at Talladega, but I don’t think that will translate into a win at Dover. He might have a better finish than in previous seasons, though, if he can make it through to the end.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 0
- Top 10 finishes: 2
Stenhouse is off to a really slow start this season. The best he’s done is a 6th place in Vegas, and from there it’s been high teens and mid-twenties. He’ll probably find his groove soon, but I don’t expect much from him at the Monster Mile.
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