Fantasy Update: Last-minute advice for Phoenix
Hendrick Motorsports was the class of the field last weekend at Las Vegas in the middle race of the three-week West Coast swing. Kyle Larson‘s No. 5 team has brought similar speed to Phoenix Raceway this weekend, as he‘s had the quickest car in all metrics. Larson was quickest in practice, fastest on 10-lap average, led Group B qualifying by nearly three-tenths of a second and won the pole.
MORE: Full Phoenix lineup | Phoenix race odds
Dustin Albino‘s race-day lineup:
Starter 1: Kyle Larson
Starter 2: Denny Hamlin
Starter 3: Ryan Blaney
Starter 4: Kevin Harvick
Starter 5: Martin Truex Jr.
Garage pick: Alex Bowman
NEXT IN LINE: Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain
RISING: Three qualifying sessions into the new season — keep in mind there was a washout at Auto Club Speedway — and RFK Racing continues to impress. Specifically Keselowski, who has consecutive top-10 starting positions, with his fourth-place effort for Sunday. The No. 6 car was the best of the Fords for the majority of the race last weekend, until a late pit-road miscue sent Keselowski to the hornet‘s nest. When the green flag drops Sunday, he will have the best track position of all Ford drivers.
Given Hamlin has multiple wins in the desert, it shouldn‘t be a surprise that the No. 11 Toyota unloaded fast this weekend. The Virginia native was ecstatic about his long-run speed, as he ranked second on the 10-lap average in Friday‘s practice.
FALLING: It‘s been a tough go for Chase Briscoe recently, as he enters Phoenix with a best finish of 20th in the first trio of races in 2023. The defending Phoenix winner showed speed in practice, but will start a mediocre 24th. Certainly, he could maneuver his way through the field, but it‘s not the start he was looking for.
The same thing could be said for Briscoe‘s teammate Ryan Preece. Based on how strong the No. 41 Ford was at the Busch Light Clash — and how solid Preece is on short tracks — one would think some of those characteristics could translate to Phoenix, despite a new rules package. He was 32nd in both single-car speed and 10-lap average, however. Preece will also take the green flag from 25th position.
FEATURED MATCHUPS:
Chase Briscoe vs. William Byron
Hendrick Motorsports looks to be the team to beat for the second consecutive week, so this is a layup. Even with Briscoe showing speed in practice, the No. 24 car was a skosh quicker on the long run. Phoenix is known for long runs, which gives the upper hand to Byron.
Ryan Blaney vs. Martin Truex Jr.
As you can see, I expect big days from both drivers by having them in my starting lineup. However, Blaney was a threat to win the first two races in a Next Gen car at Phoenix last season, leading more than 40% of the laps. Truex is a recent winner at the track (2021) but go with Blaney here.
Christopher Bell vs. Ross Chastain
Bell is one of two Cup drivers to have multiple top-five finishes in the first three races, and it shouldn‘t surprise anyone if he adds a third on Sunday. Chastain will likely be strong too, entering the race as the regular season championship leader. You could go either way with this one (they were fifth and sixth in practice), but my gut tells me the No. 20 team — and Toyota — will have a strong day.
Austin Cindric vs. Tyler Reddick
Going with the logic above, Reddick, driving a Toyota, should have a much-needed strong run come Sunday. He was quicker than Cindric in practice on the short and long run, and out-qualified the No. 2 car. Cindric will start near the center of the field in 20th.
