By Roy J. Akers- Skyviewsports.net
Since Atlanta went through a repave in 2022 and became a mini super speedway (it depends on who you ask), the racing has become pack style with amazing intensity, and with with incredible finishes. The three wide finish in February with Daniel Suarez clinching the playoffs with his win over Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney. Look at the cars right behind the leaders in the picture. This intensity will test the physical and mental acuity of the drivers for the 400 miles of the Quaker State 400.
Fantasy Picks for Atlanta
The first horse for the course is Ryan Blaney. He has a win, four top fives, and has finished in the top 20 all seven races at the track. Blaney has two wins in 2024 and is seeded fifth to start the playoffs. If he stays away from the big one, he should be in the mix to clinch a win for the second round of the playoffs.
Kyle Busch as Spoiler
While Kyle Busch missed the playoffs in 2024, he is on a roll as he has finished 2nd, 2nd, and fourth in his last three NASCAR races at Darlington, Daytona, and Michigan respectively. Busch narrowly finished third in February at AMS by 7/1,000’s of a second. His record at Atlanta shows four top fives and six of the seven race finishes at 20 or better. Your NASCAR fantasy lineups have been reset for the playoffs and a Busch with an ax to grind is dangerous for the other drivers in the field. Start him.
Martin Truex Jr. likes Atlanta
Truex Jr. barely made the playoffs after being collected in an early race accident that made him waver on both sides of the cutline at Darlington. He has yet to win in 2024, but AMS presents him with an opportunity with a top fantasy finish. MTJr. has one top five, three top tens and six finishes in seven races at the track. He is 16th and last in playoff points. Stage points are crucial for MTJr. and a win would give him breathing room going into round two.
William Byron will boom or bust at AMS
William Byron has two wins in Atlanta in the last seven races. So why is Byron not ranked higher? He also has two DNF’s so Byron will either have a top finish or perhaps wreck out. Byron has an additional top five finish and two more inside the top ten. Byron has three wins on the 2024 season with the victories happening earlier in the season. He is seeded fourth for the playoffs. Even though Byron is not on a roll coming into the playoffs, he has eight top five finishes and another five finishes in the top ten. (3-8-13). Byron is a recommended start at Atlanta.
Joey Logano for the fifth fantasy starter
Several drivers could have appeared in this column. Joey has won this race once and has another top five finish and three more in the top ten. He also has two DNF’s, so let the buyer beware. My hunch is Logano will be in the top pack of cars when the Quaker State 400 finishes on Sunday afternoon.
One Driver to stay away from
When you have one top 20 finish at a track in seven races, save that driver for another track. That is where we find Josh Berry. Berry did not make the playoffs in 2024. He finished 24th in CUP points and has two top five finishes at all tracks this season.
Media Picks
Roy Akers- Sky View Sports – Kyle Busch
Steve Sweitzer– The Lasco Press- Ryan Blaney
Doug Rice- MRN Radio– Ryan Blaney
Dustin Long- NBC Sports– Too Much of a Crapshoot NO pick
Reid Spencer- NASCAR.com- Kyle Busch
Lee Spencer- Catchfence.com- Waiting for the 16 Car Pileup- Too much of a wildcard race.
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net
