If not for a last-minute caution, I would have picked another winner in Kyle Larson. But, the caution came out with four laps left and my bonkers pick, William Byron, crossed the finish line first thanks to a super-fast pit crew. But, second place is pretty good when it comes to playoff points, and Hendrick still got a win, so he didn’t seem too bummed out.
This week NASCAR goes to Phoenix, where they’ll practice how they’ll hash it out for the Championship in November. Drivers and crew will test out the new rules package and plan for the future. Phoenix is the first one-mile intermediate track of the season and it’s sure to be exciting.
As the boys head to the desert, consider my list of Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers NASCAR fantasy picks for the United Rentals Work 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
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Brilliant – These expert fantasy picks for NASCAR have the best shot at a win this weekend
Kevin Harvick
Can you go to Phoenix and not think of Kevin Harvick? With the record he has at this track preceding him, it’s a no-brainer to put him on your team this week. He may not win, but he’s going to finish solid, so that’s why he’s a NASCAR expert pick this week.
Phoenix wins: 9
Phoenix top 5s: 19
Phoenix top 10s: 29
Denny Hamlin
It seems like Denny Hamlin has run well in the last few races, but when the checkered flag flies, he’s a little further down the line than I think he’d like. The west coast swing wraps up here, and this is the time for the number 11 to get a win. It’s playoff practice, really, so I expect good things.
Phoenix wins: 2
Phoenix top 5s: 16
Phoenix top 10s: 21
Kyle Busch
I think that Kyle Busch is ready to get, or get close to, another win in Phoenix. He has a knock-out record here, and with his recent Auto Club win pushing him along, you can’t deny the driver of the No. 8 when you set your NASCAR fantasy lineup this weekend.
Phoenix wins: 3
Phoenix top 5s: 12
Phoenix top 10s: 25
Bold – Here’s my NASCAR fantasy advice on this week’s sleeper picks
Ross Chastain
I could put this guy on my list every single week and he wouldn’t disappoint. Last season, Ross Chastain appeared like a genie right out of the dang bottle. He’s not going back into the bottle this year, as we have already seen. Though he hasn’t been great here in the distant past, he was top-five in both 2022 races. Smart to bet on the watermelon man on Sunday.
Phoenix wins: 0
Phoenix top 5s: 2
Phoenix top 10s: 2
Ryan Blaney
I am happy to have Ryan Blaney as a NASCAR fantasy pick this week. No, he does not have a win here yet, but that might change this time around. In his last eight trips to Phoenix, he only had one finish outside the top ten, and that was due to an accident. I think we’ll have a new winner in the No. 12 at Phoenix.
Phoenix wins: 0
Phoenix top 5s: 5
Phoenix top 10s: 9
Joey Logano
After a disappointing end to the Las Vegas race where he was a favorite for the win, you can bet that Joey Logano wants a re-do. And he’s gonna get it in the desert this weekend. But, his four DNFs here give me pause enough to shove him in the bold prediction section instead of right up front.
Phoenix wins: 3
Phoenix top 5s: 8
Phoenix top 10s: 16
Bonkers – Stay away from these drivers in your NASCAR fantasy racing lineup this week
Austin Dillon
Austin Dillon has two DNFs in Phoenix, which isn’t terrible, but when you look at his numbers here, it ain’t great. Take a pass on the driver of the No. 3 car this week.
Phoenix wins: 0
Phoenix top 5s: 0
Phoenix top 10s: 2
Erik Jones
It’s taking this Legacy Motor Club diver a bit of time to warm up this season, but I know he’ll get there eventually. Just, not in Phoenix.
Phoenix wins: 0
Phoenix top 5s: 1
Phoenix top 10s: 4
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
He won the Daytona 500 and then he’s been quiet. The last time he finished in the top 10 here was in 2017. It might be the right time to leave him out of the race.
Phoenix wins: 0
Phoenix top 5s: 1
Phoenix top 10s: 2
