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Fantasy Nascar Preview -
1-JMac: JMac has fair well at Atlanta and the other 1.5 mile tracks in recent seasons. Over the past two seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 15.5 average finish with 15.0 average running position and 76.9 driver rating. In those two races, he spent 55% of the events in the top 15. In last season's race, he was stronger than the one in 2016 though. In last season's race, he started 7th and finished 10th. He posted 11.0 average running position with 84.6 driver rating and spent 96% of the event in the top 15. For the most part, he finished where he should had in last season's event. On 1.5 mile tracks in 2017 (minus his lone back result in the playoffs at Kansas - 34th place), JMac posted 9.8 average finish (5th-best in the series) with 10.9 average running position (5th-best in the series) and 90.4 driver rating (9th-best in the series.) He was grossly underrated on the 1.5 mile tracks in general in 2017. That will probably remain the case in 2018 as well.
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselowski has always performed well at Atlanta since becoming a full-time driver at Nascar's top level. Over the past three seasons at Atlanta, he has been an elite driver, too. In his last three races here, he has compiled 6.3 (3rd-best in the series) with 8.3 average running position and 105.7 driver rating. In that 3-race span, he posted finishes of 1st, 9th and 9th. In 5 of his last 7 races at Atlanta, he has finished in the top 9. And to no surprise he was very strong on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017, too. Excluding his DNFs at the Coke 600 and Kentucky race, he complied 2nd-best average finish of 6.8, 4th-best average running position of 8.9 and 4th-best driver rating of 105.2. And personally I thought the Penske cars were a little off after that hot start. That just speaks volume how consistent the No.2 car was in 2017 and the years prior.
3-Austin Dillon: I am always hard on Austin Dillon and that is nothing personal on him. I just know that he is capable of more than what he saw in 2017. And what better way to start off the 2018 season than winning the Daytona 500? Of course, he wrecked another driver for the lead to do it, but I guess the final result is the only thing that actually matters. But still, I thought it was pretty shitty though. He has ran very well at Atlanta over the past couple seasons overall. In his last two Atlanta races, he has compiled 21.5 average finish with 11.5 average running position (very nice) with 80.1 driver rating. Dillon finished 32nd in last season's race, but he much better than that. He held 10.0 average running position for the event and completed 84% of the race in the top 15. He finished 32nd because he had a battery issue and couldn't make it to pit road. In 2016, he was strong again and finished 11th. In that event, he posted 13.0 average running position and completed 99% of the laps in the top 15. When you look at his career numbers you aren't very impressed. But if you do some digging, you can see the potential that he has. He might be a nice hidden gem to keep in your back pocket until at least we see some practice.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick has been ridiouclous at Atlanta and his dominance at this place cannot be overlooked. Even if you don't quite understand the more advance stats, there is one thing that you need to know: Harvick has led over 100 laps in 4 straight races. While leading more than 100 laps in 5 of his last 6 races at Atlanta. In his last three races (most relevant races), he has compiled 5.7 average finish with 3.0 average running position and 132.3 driver rating. His average running position and driver rating completely blow everyone else away. And in last season's race, he was so dominant. He led 292 laps on his way to 9th place finish. He posted 2.0 average running position, 137.2 driver rating and 59 fast laps. All were race-highs for that event. Harvick also was stout all year on the 1.5 mile tracks. In 11 races on the 1.5 mile tracks, he posted the 2nd-best average finish (8.2), 2nd-best average running position (6.4), 2nd-most laps led (707), 2nd-most fast laps (364) and 2nd-best driver rating (117.4). That is just incredible considering that Harvick and SHR switched teams in the ofseason and had very little time to prepare for the season. As SHR didn't start working on their cars until the off-season, out of respect to Rick Hendrick Motorsports.
9-Chase Elliott: Elliott has been impressive so far in his career at his home state racetrack and his resume on this type of track in 2017 only further strength his case for this weekend's race. In two career starts, he has compiled 6.5 average finish with 7.0 average running position and 105.2 driver rating. Those are some very impressive numbers for his first two starts at a racetrack at the cup level. His numbers on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017 were a very strong spot for him. He came close to victory lane a few times, too. He posted 9.8 average finish with 11.7 average running position and 97.3 driver rating in 11 races. He had two bad finishes on the 1.5 milers in 2017. He finished 29th at Kansas and 38th at Charlotte. So obviously, his numbers would be a little better if we would take them out. On 1.5 mile tracks (minus races at Kansas and Charlotte), he posted 4.6 average finish with 7.0 average running position.
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin is someone I am gonna be watching early in the season as he has a history of getting off to slow starts, before becoming one of the hottest drivers in the series in the warmer months. And bad news if you are a Hamlin believer at Atlanta. Since going to one race per year in 2015, he haven't finished better than 16th. Over his last three races at Atlanta, he has compiled 30.7 average finish with 15.7 average running position and 76.2 driver rating. Clearly he has had a lot of bad luck lately at Atlanta, judging by his numbers overall. Still, it is concerning though. He never been great at Atlanta to begin with so I am not super high on Hamlin with his latest totals at this track. However, a top 10 finish isn't out of his range though. That might be exactly what will happen. In his equipment, I think he is very capable of that. But he won't have much upside beyond that.
12-Ryan Blaney: Blaney is one of the young promising stars in our sport right now, but he haven't fair well in his two career starts at Atlanta. He finished 25th in his debut in 2016 and followed that up with 18th place finish in last season's race. He haven't really performed super well in either race overall. With that said, he is young and he will have some races like that. Good news? He has plenty of upside and will most likely have a career-day at Atlanta. As I find it hard to believe that he won't run and finish in the top 15 this weekend. There really isn't much to say about Ryan Blaney considering he doesn't have much data with being so young in terms of experience. Right now stats i the main thing we can go on with no relevant data for 2018 yet.
17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr: Atlanta is the exact type of track that fits into Ricky's driving style, in my opinion. He has ran well at this place in recent seasons and could be a very nice sleeper for this weekend. Over the past two seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 11.5 average finish with 9.5 average running position and 90.6 driver rating. In last season's race, he finished 13th after contending for a top 10 finish all day long. For the race, he led 9.0 average running position and race around that area for most of the race up until the final 50 or laps. He had a few bad races in 2017 on the 1.5 mile tracks. In specific he had three finishes outside of the top 25 at Kansas (playoffs race), Chicago and Las Vegas. Outside of those three races, he has compiled 13.4 average finish with 14.1 average running position. That isn't bad by any means. He will have his moments on the 1.5 mile tracks and Atlanta is at top of the list for me.
18-Kyle Busch: Rowdy is a great pick for this weekend's race. Even if he wasn't great in last season's event. He struggled from the start of the race and was considerably off for the entire event. It wasn't because a mistake in the race, his car was just off. But he finished 3rd in 2016 and won back in 2013. In fact, since joining JGR he is a 2-time winner at this 1.5 mile track. In 2017, he was very good on the 1.5 mile tracks overall. He posted 12.7 average finish with 10.4 average running position in those 11 races. Of course, he had 3 or 4 races where he had a poor result that affected those numbers, too. If there is one thing that I certain about is the 18 car will be a contender almost every time we go to these cookie cutters. You can expect that trend to stay true at Atlanta this weekend. He will be someone that you have to beat to win.
19-Daniel Suarez: I feel like Suarez really got better as the season went on in 2017, after being thrown to the wolfs right off the bat. He wasn't comfortable in these cars yet this time last year. Now, I think he is a lot more confident after fairing very well in his rookie season at Joe Gibbs Racing. He finished 21st in last season's race at Atlanta and he wasn't very competitive. And I don't think anyone expected him to be in his first real test on a non-plate track. He compiled 16.4 average finish in 10 races on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017. I excluded the Homestead race, since he had a DNF for the event. I think he will be a lot better to start off 2018 and I do believe he will be ea threat for a top 10 finish.
20-Erik Jones: Jones was impressive in his rookie year with the 77 team and now he get rewarded with the No.20 ride. I am excited for this young man and his potential. I had very high hopes for him in 2017, where I predicted he would win a race. That didn't quite work out, but he was close many times. In 2018, I am expecting him to break through to victory lane though. Atlanta will be interesting for Erik Jones. I think with his level of equipment, it is hard to say that he won't challenge for a top 10 finish. I think he will and maybe more. But one thing I know for sure about Jones at Atlanta and any other weekend is that Jones will be inconsistent. He has amazing upside, but you got to remember that Jones brings risk. He will be inconsistent. He is young and he will have certain about risk. But with his talent, I think it is more than worth it though.
22-Joey Logano: Logano is a star in this sport and usually they don't stay down for long. Sure, he missed the playoffs in 2017 but that won't keep him from bouncing back. If anything, I think it will motivate Logano to get back to being more competitive in 2018. Over the past 3 seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 7.3 average finish with 9.0 average running position and 107.4 driver rating. In those three races, he posted finishes of 6th, 12th and 4th. In the first 3 races in 2017 on the 1.5 mile tracks, he had no finishes worse than 6th place. Then things kinda went down hill very fast after that. I think Logano has top 5 kinda ponetial for this weekend's race, but if I had to make rankings I would put him somewhere between 6th-12th range. I don't know exactly where, but that seems pretty realistic to me. It always good to give a driver some room in the rankings aspect.
24-William Bryon: Bryon is a stud and he is gonna have a really good rookie year and I am really excited to find out how he does this season. I don't think enough people realize how good this kid is. If you watch Nascar then you know that this kid is a winner, but I think he gonna outproduce his realistic projections for the most part. He doesn't have any stats we can go on for Atlatna, but I think he can surprise us with a very solid run. All he need to do is finish the race on the lead lap. That should be his main focus for any rookie driver in his rookie season if all fails. But then again I don't think he is your average rookie driver, either. I am just excited to see what he can do more than anything.
31-Ryan Newman: Newman has been a great qualifier at Atlanta since joining RCR. In all four career starts, he has started in the top 7. Bad news? He has had problems in each of the past two races and finished outside of top 20. Prior to finishing 35th and 24th in 2016 and 2017, he had 3 straight top 10 finishes from 2013 to 2015. Newman had a terrible year on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017. He had 4 DNF-like of possible 11 races on this type of track. That is pretty bad overall, but good news it is a new year. Newman most likely will have potential somewhere in the teens. Realistically I say his likely finish range is between 13th-16th.
41-Kurt Busch: Kurt Busch has been very strong in recent races at Atlanta and he is looking for another one this weekend. He loves Altanta and it is considered one of his best tracks. In 9 of his last 10 races, he has finished in the top 13. Over the past two seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 5.5 average finish with 7.5 average running position and 102.4 driver rating. In those races, he had finishes of 7th and 4th. He is awesome at Atlanta and he is probably a pretty good dark horse pick for the weekend. Not many people think of Kurt Busch here, but that mostly because there so many great drivers at the top, too.
42-Kyle Larson: Kyle Larson had a career-year in 2017, but he has a chance to have a special season in the 42 car in 2018. He is star but he haven't gone to victory lane on a 1.5 mile track, so far in his career. He had a great race here at Atlanta in 2017. He finished 2nd, after starting 6th for the event. During the race, he compiled 6.0 average running position but he couldn't quite hold off a hard charging Brad Keselowski with less than 10 laps to go. His biggest strength in 2017 were on the 1.5 mile tracks. He was a top 5 driver in the series on this type of track. It will be interesting what kind of start that Larson and the other Chevys have to the year.
48-Jimmie Johnson: I am not super high on Jimmie Johnson for 2018, but I think he will pretty good this weekend. As usual, Johnson should be good enough to challenge for the top 10 obviously. But I don't have him as a top 5 driver entering the weekend. Anyone who does is being pretty bold after he had a career-worst season in 2017. Personally, I want to see how the 48 does in the first 4 or 5 races before I make a decision on him. But he is pretty awesome at Atlanta, prior to last season's finish of 19th. In the previous three races, he compiled 3 straight top 4 finishes from 2014 to 2016. Honestly, I am really interested in how all of the Chevys performance right off the bat with their new Camaro for the 2018 season . I think this weekend and next week race will tell us something about that.
78-Martin Truex Jr: Truex Jr won the championship last season and one of hte biggest strength he had on the competition was on the 1.5 mile tracks. Will his dominance continues into the 2018 season starting with Atlanta? That is debatable, but I kinda see no reason why not honestly. He was a machine and posted the 2nd-best average finish ever on the 1.5 mile track for a single season. His 2.6 average finish for 11 races on this type of track was just ridiculous. What can I say about Truex Jr that haven't been said over the past two seasons about him? He is the best driver in the series and realistically he probably gonna win at least 2 to 3 races on these intermediate tracks. I wouldn't be surprised at all, if it came at Atlanta. Over the past three seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 7.0 average finish with 7.3 average running position and 107.6 driver rating.
88-Alex Bowman: Alex Bowman has big shoes to fill with Dale Jr retiring after the 2017 season and I think he will do just fine for the 88 in 2018 and beyond. He is a talented enough kid with a bright future. He may not be contending for top 5 finishes every week or even top 10 finishes some weeks. But he will be in the ballpark. This isn't a rookie driver after all. He has experience in these cars previously, so this isn't new to him. I think he will fair better than what a lot of people are saying about him. At Atlanta, I think he is a top 15 driver entering the weekend. He will have a chance to prove himself this weekend. This is your opportunity Alex, now go and get it.
***All stats are from DriverAverages.com and FantasyRacinCheatSheet.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans18
Fantasy Nascar Preview -
1-JMac: JMac has fair well at Atlanta and the other 1.5 mile tracks in recent seasons. Over the past two seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 15.5 average finish with 15.0 average running position and 76.9 driver rating. In those two races, he spent 55% of the events in the top 15. In last season's race, he was stronger than the one in 2016 though. In last season's race, he started 7th and finished 10th. He posted 11.0 average running position with 84.6 driver rating and spent 96% of the event in the top 15. For the most part, he finished where he should had in last season's event. On 1.5 mile tracks in 2017 (minus his lone back result in the playoffs at Kansas - 34th place), JMac posted 9.8 average finish (5th-best in the series) with 10.9 average running position (5th-best in the series) and 90.4 driver rating (9th-best in the series.) He was grossly underrated on the 1.5 mile tracks in general in 2017. That will probably remain the case in 2018 as well.
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselowski has always performed well at Atlanta since becoming a full-time driver at Nascar's top level. Over the past three seasons at Atlanta, he has been an elite driver, too. In his last three races here, he has compiled 6.3 (3rd-best in the series) with 8.3 average running position and 105.7 driver rating. In that 3-race span, he posted finishes of 1st, 9th and 9th. In 5 of his last 7 races at Atlanta, he has finished in the top 9. And to no surprise he was very strong on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017, too. Excluding his DNFs at the Coke 600 and Kentucky race, he complied 2nd-best average finish of 6.8, 4th-best average running position of 8.9 and 4th-best driver rating of 105.2. And personally I thought the Penske cars were a little off after that hot start. That just speaks volume how consistent the No.2 car was in 2017 and the years prior.
3-Austin Dillon: I am always hard on Austin Dillon and that is nothing personal on him. I just know that he is capable of more than what he saw in 2017. And what better way to start off the 2018 season than winning the Daytona 500? Of course, he wrecked another driver for the lead to do it, but I guess the final result is the only thing that actually matters. But still, I thought it was pretty shitty though. He has ran very well at Atlanta over the past couple seasons overall. In his last two Atlanta races, he has compiled 21.5 average finish with 11.5 average running position (very nice) with 80.1 driver rating. Dillon finished 32nd in last season's race, but he much better than that. He held 10.0 average running position for the event and completed 84% of the race in the top 15. He finished 32nd because he had a battery issue and couldn't make it to pit road. In 2016, he was strong again and finished 11th. In that event, he posted 13.0 average running position and completed 99% of the laps in the top 15. When you look at his career numbers you aren't very impressed. But if you do some digging, you can see the potential that he has. He might be a nice hidden gem to keep in your back pocket until at least we see some practice.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick has been ridiouclous at Atlanta and his dominance at this place cannot be overlooked. Even if you don't quite understand the more advance stats, there is one thing that you need to know: Harvick has led over 100 laps in 4 straight races. While leading more than 100 laps in 5 of his last 6 races at Atlanta. In his last three races (most relevant races), he has compiled 5.7 average finish with 3.0 average running position and 132.3 driver rating. His average running position and driver rating completely blow everyone else away. And in last season's race, he was so dominant. He led 292 laps on his way to 9th place finish. He posted 2.0 average running position, 137.2 driver rating and 59 fast laps. All were race-highs for that event. Harvick also was stout all year on the 1.5 mile tracks. In 11 races on the 1.5 mile tracks, he posted the 2nd-best average finish (8.2), 2nd-best average running position (6.4), 2nd-most laps led (707), 2nd-most fast laps (364) and 2nd-best driver rating (117.4). That is just incredible considering that Harvick and SHR switched teams in the ofseason and had very little time to prepare for the season. As SHR didn't start working on their cars until the off-season, out of respect to Rick Hendrick Motorsports.
9-Chase Elliott: Elliott has been impressive so far in his career at his home state racetrack and his resume on this type of track in 2017 only further strength his case for this weekend's race. In two career starts, he has compiled 6.5 average finish with 7.0 average running position and 105.2 driver rating. Those are some very impressive numbers for his first two starts at a racetrack at the cup level. His numbers on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017 were a very strong spot for him. He came close to victory lane a few times, too. He posted 9.8 average finish with 11.7 average running position and 97.3 driver rating in 11 races. He had two bad finishes on the 1.5 milers in 2017. He finished 29th at Kansas and 38th at Charlotte. So obviously, his numbers would be a little better if we would take them out. On 1.5 mile tracks (minus races at Kansas and Charlotte), he posted 4.6 average finish with 7.0 average running position.
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin is someone I am gonna be watching early in the season as he has a history of getting off to slow starts, before becoming one of the hottest drivers in the series in the warmer months. And bad news if you are a Hamlin believer at Atlanta. Since going to one race per year in 2015, he haven't finished better than 16th. Over his last three races at Atlanta, he has compiled 30.7 average finish with 15.7 average running position and 76.2 driver rating. Clearly he has had a lot of bad luck lately at Atlanta, judging by his numbers overall. Still, it is concerning though. He never been great at Atlanta to begin with so I am not super high on Hamlin with his latest totals at this track. However, a top 10 finish isn't out of his range though. That might be exactly what will happen. In his equipment, I think he is very capable of that. But he won't have much upside beyond that.
12-Ryan Blaney: Blaney is one of the young promising stars in our sport right now, but he haven't fair well in his two career starts at Atlanta. He finished 25th in his debut in 2016 and followed that up with 18th place finish in last season's race. He haven't really performed super well in either race overall. With that said, he is young and he will have some races like that. Good news? He has plenty of upside and will most likely have a career-day at Atlanta. As I find it hard to believe that he won't run and finish in the top 15 this weekend. There really isn't much to say about Ryan Blaney considering he doesn't have much data with being so young in terms of experience. Right now stats i the main thing we can go on with no relevant data for 2018 yet.
17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr: Atlanta is the exact type of track that fits into Ricky's driving style, in my opinion. He has ran well at this place in recent seasons and could be a very nice sleeper for this weekend. Over the past two seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 11.5 average finish with 9.5 average running position and 90.6 driver rating. In last season's race, he finished 13th after contending for a top 10 finish all day long. For the race, he led 9.0 average running position and race around that area for most of the race up until the final 50 or laps. He had a few bad races in 2017 on the 1.5 mile tracks. In specific he had three finishes outside of the top 25 at Kansas (playoffs race), Chicago and Las Vegas. Outside of those three races, he has compiled 13.4 average finish with 14.1 average running position. That isn't bad by any means. He will have his moments on the 1.5 mile tracks and Atlanta is at top of the list for me.
18-Kyle Busch: Rowdy is a great pick for this weekend's race. Even if he wasn't great in last season's event. He struggled from the start of the race and was considerably off for the entire event. It wasn't because a mistake in the race, his car was just off. But he finished 3rd in 2016 and won back in 2013. In fact, since joining JGR he is a 2-time winner at this 1.5 mile track. In 2017, he was very good on the 1.5 mile tracks overall. He posted 12.7 average finish with 10.4 average running position in those 11 races. Of course, he had 3 or 4 races where he had a poor result that affected those numbers, too. If there is one thing that I certain about is the 18 car will be a contender almost every time we go to these cookie cutters. You can expect that trend to stay true at Atlanta this weekend. He will be someone that you have to beat to win.
19-Daniel Suarez: I feel like Suarez really got better as the season went on in 2017, after being thrown to the wolfs right off the bat. He wasn't comfortable in these cars yet this time last year. Now, I think he is a lot more confident after fairing very well in his rookie season at Joe Gibbs Racing. He finished 21st in last season's race at Atlanta and he wasn't very competitive. And I don't think anyone expected him to be in his first real test on a non-plate track. He compiled 16.4 average finish in 10 races on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017. I excluded the Homestead race, since he had a DNF for the event. I think he will be a lot better to start off 2018 and I do believe he will be ea threat for a top 10 finish.
20-Erik Jones: Jones was impressive in his rookie year with the 77 team and now he get rewarded with the No.20 ride. I am excited for this young man and his potential. I had very high hopes for him in 2017, where I predicted he would win a race. That didn't quite work out, but he was close many times. In 2018, I am expecting him to break through to victory lane though. Atlanta will be interesting for Erik Jones. I think with his level of equipment, it is hard to say that he won't challenge for a top 10 finish. I think he will and maybe more. But one thing I know for sure about Jones at Atlanta and any other weekend is that Jones will be inconsistent. He has amazing upside, but you got to remember that Jones brings risk. He will be inconsistent. He is young and he will have certain about risk. But with his talent, I think it is more than worth it though.
22-Joey Logano: Logano is a star in this sport and usually they don't stay down for long. Sure, he missed the playoffs in 2017 but that won't keep him from bouncing back. If anything, I think it will motivate Logano to get back to being more competitive in 2018. Over the past 3 seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 7.3 average finish with 9.0 average running position and 107.4 driver rating. In those three races, he posted finishes of 6th, 12th and 4th. In the first 3 races in 2017 on the 1.5 mile tracks, he had no finishes worse than 6th place. Then things kinda went down hill very fast after that. I think Logano has top 5 kinda ponetial for this weekend's race, but if I had to make rankings I would put him somewhere between 6th-12th range. I don't know exactly where, but that seems pretty realistic to me. It always good to give a driver some room in the rankings aspect.
24-William Bryon: Bryon is a stud and he is gonna have a really good rookie year and I am really excited to find out how he does this season. I don't think enough people realize how good this kid is. If you watch Nascar then you know that this kid is a winner, but I think he gonna outproduce his realistic projections for the most part. He doesn't have any stats we can go on for Atlatna, but I think he can surprise us with a very solid run. All he need to do is finish the race on the lead lap. That should be his main focus for any rookie driver in his rookie season if all fails. But then again I don't think he is your average rookie driver, either. I am just excited to see what he can do more than anything.
31-Ryan Newman: Newman has been a great qualifier at Atlanta since joining RCR. In all four career starts, he has started in the top 7. Bad news? He has had problems in each of the past two races and finished outside of top 20. Prior to finishing 35th and 24th in 2016 and 2017, he had 3 straight top 10 finishes from 2013 to 2015. Newman had a terrible year on the 1.5 mile tracks in 2017. He had 4 DNF-like of possible 11 races on this type of track. That is pretty bad overall, but good news it is a new year. Newman most likely will have potential somewhere in the teens. Realistically I say his likely finish range is between 13th-16th.
41-Kurt Busch: Kurt Busch has been very strong in recent races at Atlanta and he is looking for another one this weekend. He loves Altanta and it is considered one of his best tracks. In 9 of his last 10 races, he has finished in the top 13. Over the past two seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 5.5 average finish with 7.5 average running position and 102.4 driver rating. In those races, he had finishes of 7th and 4th. He is awesome at Atlanta and he is probably a pretty good dark horse pick for the weekend. Not many people think of Kurt Busch here, but that mostly because there so many great drivers at the top, too.
42-Kyle Larson: Kyle Larson had a career-year in 2017, but he has a chance to have a special season in the 42 car in 2018. He is star but he haven't gone to victory lane on a 1.5 mile track, so far in his career. He had a great race here at Atlanta in 2017. He finished 2nd, after starting 6th for the event. During the race, he compiled 6.0 average running position but he couldn't quite hold off a hard charging Brad Keselowski with less than 10 laps to go. His biggest strength in 2017 were on the 1.5 mile tracks. He was a top 5 driver in the series on this type of track. It will be interesting what kind of start that Larson and the other Chevys have to the year.
48-Jimmie Johnson: I am not super high on Jimmie Johnson for 2018, but I think he will pretty good this weekend. As usual, Johnson should be good enough to challenge for the top 10 obviously. But I don't have him as a top 5 driver entering the weekend. Anyone who does is being pretty bold after he had a career-worst season in 2017. Personally, I want to see how the 48 does in the first 4 or 5 races before I make a decision on him. But he is pretty awesome at Atlanta, prior to last season's finish of 19th. In the previous three races, he compiled 3 straight top 4 finishes from 2014 to 2016. Honestly, I am really interested in how all of the Chevys performance right off the bat with their new Camaro for the 2018 season . I think this weekend and next week race will tell us something about that.
78-Martin Truex Jr: Truex Jr won the championship last season and one of hte biggest strength he had on the competition was on the 1.5 mile tracks. Will his dominance continues into the 2018 season starting with Atlanta? That is debatable, but I kinda see no reason why not honestly. He was a machine and posted the 2nd-best average finish ever on the 1.5 mile track for a single season. His 2.6 average finish for 11 races on this type of track was just ridiculous. What can I say about Truex Jr that haven't been said over the past two seasons about him? He is the best driver in the series and realistically he probably gonna win at least 2 to 3 races on these intermediate tracks. I wouldn't be surprised at all, if it came at Atlanta. Over the past three seasons at Atlanta, he has compiled 7.0 average finish with 7.3 average running position and 107.6 driver rating.
88-Alex Bowman: Alex Bowman has big shoes to fill with Dale Jr retiring after the 2017 season and I think he will do just fine for the 88 in 2018 and beyond. He is a talented enough kid with a bright future. He may not be contending for top 5 finishes every week or even top 10 finishes some weeks. But he will be in the ballpark. This isn't a rookie driver after all. He has experience in these cars previously, so this isn't new to him. I think he will fair better than what a lot of people are saying about him. At Atlanta, I think he is a top 15 driver entering the weekend. He will have a chance to prove himself this weekend. This is your opportunity Alex, now go and get it.
***All stats are from DriverAverages.com and FantasyRacinCheatSheet.com
Twitter - @JeffNathans18
