Fantasy Picks ~ Atlanta

 

Last Week’s Recap and Results
Daytona 500

2019 is off and running… or maybe better described as off and crashing. A recent check of Racing Reference shows they are still crashing at the 2.5-mile high banks. For the final NASCAR restrictor plate race it sure was… like a restrictor plate race.

The RFF Fantasy Race Game fits the “off and crashing” description as well. Kelly Meiste picked Joey Logano and Berra Nordin with Michael McDowell skillfully missed the Big Ones (note plural-which is never a good sign) and finished behind the JGR sweep to take the top two positions in this week’s game.

Congratulations Kelly on the win!

The rest of the field either caused wrecks (I raise my hand), got caught up in the high speed demolition derby or was impacted by them. J. L.’s Kez pick came in a respectable 12th and the Chase Elliot train with PattyKay, Frank and Vicq came in 17th. The rest… weren’t running at the end.

I think most true fans would say “Finally!” and “Good Riddance!” to the plate. Hopefully, tapered spacers won’t create the same results…but we’ll know that soon enough.

When the smoke finally cleared on this year’s initial crash-fest and the points were all counted, the first week of the 2019 Fantasy Racing Game looked something like this.

“Folds of Honor Quik Trip 500”
Atlanta Motor Speedway

Not sure what to say about this week’s race. Old race surface + New rules package = 2019 NASCAR Crapshoot V. 2.0. If you look at past performance here, Kevin Harvick won last year’s race with Brad Keselowski winning the year before that. Daytona winner, Denny Hamlin found Victory Lane in 2012 and Kurt Busch has won here as well. Multiple time winners include Kyle Busch with 2 and Jimmie Johnson with 4.

Other strong performers include Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Newman and Joey Logano. Kyle Larson’s 3 top 10s in five starts puts him into consideration. Chase Elliott likes his home track and is worthy of a nod, finishing in the top 10 in his three starts here, including a 5th place finish in 2017.

Of course that’s the past. The track is another year older and who knows who benefits from this new rules package.

All that said, this is who our Fantasy Racers believe will win this week at Atlanta.

PattyKay Lilley

Well, the Daytona Massacre is over, so let's move right along to Atlanta.
Sorry, but we can't offer you Bill France weather as Daytona did. Here
you'll need your jackets and probably rain gear as well. That's February in
North Georgia. Aside from that, who runs the best here? There are a couple,
and neither is one of those fresh-faced young lads that have no need to
shave. Best of the best are Harvick and Keselowski. Both drive Fords, but
one, I believe drives his better. I'll have a heaping helping of #4, Kevin
Harvick at Atlanta.

Frank Buhrman

With the new rules, the crapshoot stage might not be done, yet.
Fifty-nine years ago, the first NASCAR Grand National/Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway was won by Fireball Roberts in car #22. It says here that Joey Logano, driving car #22, will honor Fireball's memory and take the victory in 2019.

Vivian Simons

Lots of new stuff this year on the cars, engines and other rules. Hard to predict if same drivers will fare the same as they did before the changes. However, to quote a certain DW, "the cream always rises to the top" has made me decide that Joey Logano in his #22 is going to be on top and in Victory Lane on Sunday at Atlanta.

Berra Nordin

This week I think I'll just play it safe, if there is any such thing as safe in the racing World, and go with someone from the bigger teams. So I’ll go with #4 Kevin Harvick to win this weekend or maybe Mother Nature does! 

Vicq Ruiz

Logano - checkers
In Georgia's biggest city
Sliced Bread brings it home!

Kelly Meiste

This week I'm torn between Brad and Harvick, so I flipped the coin and it came up Harvick.
Please put me down this week for the # 4 of Kevin Harvick, thanks.

Will Dossett

This one is a complete toss-up!  I am going with Chris Buscher.  Kid is due!

Hal Ashburn

My pick is Bad Brad I know he's tired of being third on the team.  #2 is my pick.  I don't even like it but so it goes

J. L. Steel

Daytona is often referred to as a crapshoot, or anyone's race due to the pack racing the big track produces. It can be said for now that Atlanta is the same. With a new rules package in place, it's anyone's guess what kind of racing it will produce and who will win. With no idea what kind of racing we'll see or what manufacturer might have an advantage, logic says to go with what little we do know. 

The Fords had a strong year last year and even with a new model debuting this season, they still looked fast last week. Leading that Ford brigade was of course, Kevin Harvick. Based on his recent success at mile-and-a half-tracks, specifically Atlanta, he's my pick to win this week. 

David Nance

After last week I’m in a bit of a tailspin. Sorry I took so many of my competitors out so late in the opener. I think I’ll give the #12 car a try this week. Maybe that will put a little bear bond on my crumpled fantasy effort and get me a few points. Deep hole early. Thankfully, it’s a long season.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know!
Enter your picks in the comments below.
Good luck and safe racing!