Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson talk to us
By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
The Charlotte Roval was an interesting race. Changes to the course provided for good racing and problems for drivers at certain points at the course. Alex Bowman was a surprising revelation in the Cup playoffs, but an underweight machine did him in. Hendrick Motorsports decided they did not have enough evidence to overturn NASCAR’s findings and declined to appeal the decision. Tyler Reddick drove through most of the field in the third stage after it looked like he was going to be eliminated in the final race in the Round of 12. Kyle Larson won his sixth race of the season. There was a lot of drama for drivers, teams and NASCAR fans for a road course.
They Said It… Denny Hamlin
Are you in a good vibe right now?
“I was a little worried going into the Playoffs with as few of Playoff points that we’ve had in quite some time, and certainly, the schedule wasn’t fitting for myself and the team, but we got through it, so now I feel like we have a great opportunity to go and win one of the next three races, and fight for it in Phoenix. Yeah, I really truly believe in odds and big sample sizes, and it was going so bad for so long there in the summer that, you just have to think that eventually this stuff kind of works itself out in the end. Play enough hands of black jack, you are only at a two percent deficit, if you don’t play 20 hands, you could lose all of them. You have to be patient and go through those swings sometimes.”
Kyle Larson on carrying over confidence from Charlotte
COMING OFF A WIN LAST WEEKEND, YOU’RE COMING TO A TRACK THAT YOU’VE WON AT THE PAST TWO TIMES. TALK ABOUT THE CONFIDENCE YOU HAVE GOING INTO THIS WEEKEND.
“Yeah, I mean I think winning for sure helps the confidence. But also coming to a track where we do have a lot of success at helps, probably more than anything. So yeah, I’m just looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully, our car has good speed and a good balance, like it has the last couple of times here. It would be nice to get another win, or at least start the round better than we started the other two rounds and gain points.”
Top Fantasy Picks
It all starts with Kyle Larson. In his last seven Las Vegas races, he has won three times and has two more top five finishes and another in the top ten. If you have the Larson pick left, start here.
Byron is Number 1 in the round of eight and a solid Vegas choice
William Byron is ranked in points for drivers entering the Round of eight and his success at Las Vegas make him a must play this weekend. He has one win, two more top-five finishes, three additional appearances in the top ten and two more in the top-20. Byron will be racing to keep his points lead.
No doubt Kyle Busch has had a poor ’24 season. He has not won in Las Vegas, but he has five top-five finishes and another finish in the top 20. He has been lukewarm the last few races, but the Las Vegas native may make a good choice.
Denny may make a good choice .. Top Driveraverages.com picks
Hamlin has one win, two more top-five finishes and another two finishes in the top ten. Hamlin does have one DNF. He is fourth in the Round of Eight for points. Hamlin will be a factor this weekend. Book him if you have the fantasy pick in NASCAR.com.
The playoffs have not been good to the 2024 points champion Tyler Reddick. He finished 7th for points among drivers advancing to the Round of Eight. His driving down the stretch at the Charlotte Roval is what made him advance to this round of the playoffs. He has one top five and four top ten’s in seven races. He should make for a good choice if you have enough picks for your fantasy team.
Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. does will in ‘Vegas. Truex Jr. has one top five and six more top- ten finishes. Start him or keep him on the bench and put him in if one of the already mentioned drivers falters.
Stay Away from this driver in fantasy NASCAR this week…
Ryan Preece has one top 20 finish in 7 races.
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net
