This week’s NASCAR fantasy picks for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.
This weekend marks the last race that will be broadcast on FOX for the 2019 NASCAR season. It also marks the last race of NASCAR champ-turned-broadcaster, Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip is wrapping up 19 years in the broadcast booth. This will be the last time we hear his chant of “boogedy, boogedy, boogedy, let’s go racing boys.”
Waltrip had a legendary career with NASCAR that officially began the year I was born. He’s a three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion, three time Cup Series runner-up, and has won a total of 84 NASCAR Cup Series races. He’s won the Coca-Cola 600 an unprecedented five times, and has the most cup wins for any driver at Bristol Motor Speedway (12; seven consecutive).
After his retirement from racing in 2000, he signed on with FOX to be a commentator in the broadcast booth alongside Larry McReynolds and Mike Joy. His brother, Michael, won that first race at Daytona Motor Speedway, and Darrell was overjoyed as he called the win from the booth. But concern overtook excitement as he watched the replays of Dale Earnhardt’s crash, from which he never walked away.
I don’t remember a time without Waltrip in the booth. I never watched a race until that fateful 2001 season. It was the shock and sadness of my Mother-in-Law (who was the only member of our family to appreciate the sport that we have now all grown to love) that led me to even give this NASCAR thing a chance (thank you, Eileen). I thought; if one driver can affect so many people, maybe there’s more to this sport than a bunch of cars going around in circles.
Over the years, I’ve loved hearing D.W.’s southern charm, tales of experience, and the opening call of each race. And I will miss it.
As of the moment I write this, there are three race teams who will honor Waltrip at Sonoma Raceway this Sunday:
- Levine Family Racing – Matt DiBenedetto will be driving the 95 with a paint scheme that’s a throwback to Waltrip’s 1974 season.
- Roush Fenway Racing – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be blazing down the track in a 17 car that resembles the 17 that Waltrip drove in the early to mid-1990s. It will also include a special message for Darrell on the rear quarter panel.
- Front Row Motorsports – The 38 car of David Regan features a scheme that Waltrip used in 1997. Another special message is included in the design.
Tower of Power is set to perform the national anthem at the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. What a fitting way to send off a powerhouse driver like Darrell Waltrip.
On June 30th, NASCAR will move to NBC for the rest of the season. D.W., however, will remain in our hearts for eternity.
NASCAR Fantasy Picks: Recap from The Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway:
Brilliant NASCAR fantasy picks:
- Chase Elliott – finished 20th
- Joey Logano – WINNER
- Kyle Larson – finished 14th
Bold NASCAR fantasy picks:
- Kevin Harvick – finished 7th
- Denny Hamlin – finished 11th
- Clint Bowyer – finished 35th
Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks:
- Martin Truex Jr. – finished 3rd
- Daniel Suarez – finished 4th
- Jimmie Johnson – finished 15th
And now, here are this week’s Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR Fantasy picks for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.
Brilliant NASCAR fantasy picks
Kyle Busch
- Wins: 2
- Top 5 finishes: 4
- Top 10 finishes: 6
Did you think that I would leave this guy out of the picks two weeks in a row? Not when he’s this hot. He’s been successful on road courses in the past, and I have a feeling he’ll end this day somewhere in the top two.
Kurt Busch
- Wins: 1
- Top 5 finishes: 7
- Top 10 finishes: 10
I can’t get over what this guy has done in a Chevrolet this season. He’s been in the top 10 nine times, and finished 11th twice. Last week Kurt finished 2nd. This week, I predict he grabs a season best finish that includes a trip to victory lane.
Clint Bowyer
- Wins: 1
- Top 5 finishes: 8
- Top 10 finishes: 10
Every time I pick this guy to win, he does something not-smart and ends up with a DNF. I don’t think that will happen this week because the 14 is just as frustrated as I am. Plus, Clint rocks the road course. I fully expect him to do me proud this weekend.
Bold NASCAR fantasy picks
Martin Truex Jr.
- Wins: 2
- Top 5 finishes: 3
- Top 10 finishes: 4
You know that this guy is great on the road courses, and he’s coming off a third-place finish in Michigan. But I feel like his finishes this season have been either first or worst. As long as he can stay on the track and not wreck, he’ll have a brilliant finish at Sonoma.
Daniel Suarez
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 0
- Top 10 finishes: 0
I know you see those zeros up there, but hear me out. Suarez has only been here twice, and his average finish is 15th. But this is a different racer than you saw with JGR. He finished his last two races inside the top ten, and I have a feeling this is his breakout week.
Paul Menard
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 1
- Top 10 finishes: 1
Menard is a good driver. He’s had a few good starting positions, and he’s held his own through many races. But something always happens in the final stage that throws him back for a mid-teen finish. This is a road course, though, and I think that the 21 finishes in the top-five this week.
Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks
Denny Hamlin
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 3
- Top 10 finishes: 5
Not Hamlin’s best track. In fact, it’s one of his worst. With an average finish of 18th place, and a lukewarm streak going at best, I can’t imagine him reaching the end of the line with a win. He surprised us before at The Glen, but I don’t think Sonoma is as kind.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 0
- Top 10 finishes: 0
Despite that fact that he’s honoring Darrell Waltrip this week with his paint scheme, I can’t see the 17 getting it done in Sonoma. His season has been disappointing to say the least, and this isn’t the place for him to pick it back up.
Kyle Larson
- Wins: 0
- Top 5 finishes: 0
- Top 10 finishes: 0
I really thought that Larson would get back on track after the All-Star win, but he seems to be back in his same old rut. Next week will be a better week to give him the benefit if the doubt, as it’s one of his better tracks.
No Comment! Be the first one.