Coke Zero 400 Fantasy Preview
By: NASCAR Wagers, NASCAR Handicapping Service
In the world of auto racing and perhaps any sports for that matter, there are few events more exciting than NASCAR’s return to Daytona in July for superspeedway racing while we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. Yet this Saturday those circumstances combine once again as the Sprint Cup Series goes under the lights for restrictor plate racing at the high banks of Daytona International Speedway in the Coke Zero 400. As we prepare for a fun race weekend, let’s dive into our Coke Zero 400 fantasy preview to give our insight towards a few drivers to fill your fantasy rosters for this Saturday night.
For race fans, few things beat restrictor plate races while being able to celebrate one of the great American holidays that signifies our Independence which most NASCAR fans are very passionate towards. For drivers and race teams, Daytona presents the wildcard factor. For those teams that are winless in 2014, Daytona provides opportunity. In the draft at Daytona, the playing field is relatively level and every car can find their way to the front of the pack. For drivers there is a fine art when it comes to restrictor plate racing in the way a driver maneuvers through the pack, uses the air to his advantage, and keeps competitors in his rear-view mirror. If a driver can do those things and position their selves towards the front at the end of 400 miles, opportunity for a victory will come knocking at the door. The question is who will make the right moves and answer the call?
For bettors and fantasy owners, Daytona may be a tough race to predict if you do not really know your stuff. The dynamics of restrictor plate racing is an ever evolving phenomenon with changes to rules packages, ride heights, tire compounds, and more. Unlike most weeks, you cannot just necessarily pick a heavy favorite and expect a solid finish. In fact, Daytona is a track where you need to be on top of your game in the sense of identifying low budget drivers and getting the best value out of your roster. For that purpose, we have put together a list of guys that you must have on your fantasy roster this week and a few guys to keep in mind as the week progresses.
Must-Have Drivers
Denny Hamlin: I do not see how anyone can leave Denny Hamlin off their fantasy roster this week after what the #11 team has been able to accomplish thus far in 2014 at the restrictor plate tracks. In February, Hamlin won the Sprint Unlimited, the Budweiser Duel, and finished 2nd in the Daytona 500 for a near perfect sweep of speedweeks. Hamlin also backed up a strong speedweeks performance by winning at Talladega in early May in the only other restrictor plate race that has been run thus far in 2014. Therefore, it is easy to see that the #11 team has been the fastest car this season at the restrictor plate tracks and that makes Hamlin a must-have option going into this weekend’s race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr: I know anytime plate racing comes around, Dale Earnhardt Jr is a favorite because of his great history at the plate tracks. However, Junior deserves that credibility even more at Daytona than he does at Talladega. It has been more than a decade since Junior really did anything significant at Talladega, but he has been the man at Daytona in recent years. Junior owns the best 4 race, 10 race, and career average finishing position among all active drivers with at least 5 starts. In his last 5 starts at Daytona, Junior has finished 2nd, 15th, 2nd, 8th, and 1st for a 5.6 average finishing position. Those numbers are astounding if you consider the wide variety of finishing positions that often accompanies restrictor plate racing. However, Junior has been absolutely rock solid at Daytona and there is not any other driver that you would rather have in pack racing than the driver of the #88 car this week.
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Greg Biffle: I personally like Greg Biffle anytime Daytona rolls around. The “Biff” seems to find the front often at Daytona and came close to scoring a Daytona 500 victory in both 2012 and 2013. I know a lot of people have been fading the entire Roush-Fenway organization and rightfully so as they have been horrible on the 1.5 mile tracks. However, their restrictor plate cars have been on par with the competition thus far in 2014. Biffle has the 2nd best average finish among active drivers over the last 5 races and I feel like he will not get the attention he deserves because of Roush-Fenway Racing’s ongoing inner turmoil.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr: I mentioned Ricky Stenhouse earlier this year at Talladega as a surprisingly strong restrictor plate racer and he backed it up with a 10th place showing at Dega. Stenhouse has posted 3 straight top 12 finishes at Daytona and ran well back in February. The youngster has done a good job of staying out of trouble and getting strong finishes in these wild races. If you looking for a really low budget driver that could possibly post another top 10 finish, consider the driver of the #17.
Ryan Newman: If you have not been playing close attention, you may not realize that this #31 car has been impressive in recent weeks. Newman has posted 4 straight top 15 finishes including a season best 3rd last week at Kentucky where he ran inside the top 5 all night. This #31 car was fast back at Daytona in February but was caught up in two different accidents before finishing 22nd. However if you look at Newman’s history at Daytona, he has been solid since pack racing returned with finishes of 5th, 5th, 10th, and that 22nd result from earlier this year. I think the Newman and this #31 team have a lot of upside this week. Not only can they post a really good finish for your fantasy lineup, they could win this thing outright if a few things go their way.
