By Roy J. Akers-www.skyviewsports.net
From- Hampton, Georgia
Start Chase Elliott
The seven-time most popular Cup driver is from Dawsonville, Georgia, and when it comes to bringing it to Atlanta, Elliott is a must-start. Saying that, Chase said he has a lot to learn about Superspeedway racing “Yeah, you’re going to try, for sure. You’re certainly going to enter the corner wide open as if you can. If you get in there and you realize that the grip level doesn’t feel right or something, then you try and bail out and hopefully be smooth doing it. I don’t think we’re to the point where — like I was saying a second ago, we’re not to a point where we’re not going to run wide open around here.” Elliott won the summer 2022 race and has multiple top-5 and top-ten finishes at Atlanta. Book it Dano.
Joey Logano is a starter for sure
Joey Logano won the fall race in 2024 and unlike Elliott, he used to live at AMS in one of the turn four apartments. Joey has had two victories at Atlanta since 2023, but he has also finished well off the pace. Logano has finished Top-five in his last ten appearances. This pick is solid but not a sure thing. Still, never bet against Logano in Atlanta.
Ryan Blaney- Starter
Ryan Blaney is a starter for this race, PERIOD. He has the highest average finish in the field at 7.3. Blaney has nine Top-ten finishes in his last ten starts. His only victory was the spring race in 2021 and has six finishes alone in the top six. His worst finish is 17th. He has finished all ten races.
Daniel Suarez won this race last year
While using your A-List drivers early should be for a near or sure thing, Blaney fits the bill. Blaney won the pole for the Ambetter 400 and he is always near the lead in Atlanta. Blaney’s track record is outstanding. He has been in the top ten eight times in his last AMS starts. He won the Spring 2021 race and has six top-five runs of 5th or better.
Yes, last year is last year. Suarez is rarely on my radar for a start but AMS is a good bet for him. Suarez just runs well at AMS. Besides his spring 2024 win, Suarez has had five Top-six finishes since the repave. Suarez finished 2-1-2 dating back to 2023. I like Suarez.
William Byron is a nice pick this week
Just because you have won back-to-back at Daytona means little at Atlanta. Byron has two victories, a top ten and a top 20 in his last six starts. Byron also has tallied a 17-32-30 in his other three performances. Byron will run strong or frustrate you at Atlanta this weekend. Byron is NOT a sure thing.
Christopher Bell is a marginal pick
Christopher Bell has two top-five finishes and a top-20 in his last six races at the track. I would save him for another race. Start him. Remember we are competing for a non-existent trophy with no money.
Also in the Mix: Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric
Park
Kyle Larson- Larson does NOT finish well at Atlanta. He is always dangerous but not very productive. KL has one Top-20 in his last six races at the track. Larson will use all of his NASCAR.com starts this year, just do not waste one here.
Denny Hamlin has three Top-ten finishes in his last ten races in the ATL. Hamlin is always running as he has finished his last nine races at the track. Hamlin is usually in a wreck or picks up normal racing damage. Love Denny in fantasy. Save him.
It is strange not to use Larson or Hamlin in the first two races of the season. They will get heavy usage at the 1.5 mile tracks later in the season.
Roy J. Akers covers NASCAR for www.skyviewsports.net
