Fantasy Update: Locking in with Hendrick at Dover; Bueschers stock rises
Many within the NASCAR industry believed Dover would be the last true test for the Next Gen car, and Saturday‘s practice session didn‘t disappoint. With a handful of incidents, it brought back Fontana moments from two months ago. Throughout the day there were a few surprises, which could play a factor in which drivers you put in your lineup for Monday‘s DuraMAX Drydene 400 presented by RelaDyne (noon ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Dustin Albino‘s race-day lineup:
Starter 1: Kyle Larson
Starter 2: Chase Elliott
Starter 3: Alex Bowman
Starter 4: Denny Hamlin
Starter 5: Daniel Suárez
Garage pick: Kevin Harvick
NEXT IN LINE: Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace.
RELATED: Set your lineup | Starting lineup | Fantasy Fastlane
RISING: As you may remember, earlier this week I said to stay away from Denny Hamlin. But after a solid Saturday in Dover, the No. 11 team will start the race from second position. Of late, Hamlin has figured out how to get around Dover, so despite his struggles in 2022, I have him in my lineup.
For the first time in Chris Buescher‘s NASCAR career, he‘s won a pole award. Surprising? Sure, but the Texan has gotten around Dover well in the past, winning an Xfinity Series race at the “Monster Mile” in 2015. This is the first pole for RFK Racing on a non-superspeedway in nearly nine years (Texas-2, 2013).
If you want to go off the beaten path, Ryan Preece has been consistent throughout the weekend. Competing in his first Cup points-paying race of the season, his No. 15 Rick Ware Racing car will line up 13th for the race, and he was sixth in practice. Not too shabby for not sitting in a Cup car since The Clash in early February.
FALLING: It’s been a mediocre start to the 2022 season for Martin Truex Jr., but wherever he‘s had success in the past he‘s performed well with the Next Gen car. This weekend, eh, not the same thus far, as the No. 19 Toyota was 19th in practice and will start the race 18th. Last year at Dover, Truex struggled as well, dropping quickly from the pole. But knowing how to get around the “Monster Mile,” it wouldn‘t be a shocker should he improve into Monday‘s race.
Entering the weekend, William Byron was one of the pre-race favorites, but it didn‘t take long for the No. 24 Chevrolet to get into the wall in practice, forcing the team to go to a backup car. With no laps in the car, don‘t risk putting Byron on your team this week, despite his consistent speed all year long.
FEATURED MATCHUPS
Ross Chastain vs. Kyle Larson: Chastain enters Dover with a boatload of momentum, winning two of the last five Cup Series races. But don‘t overthink this one: Larson is one of the best drivers in the field at Dover, with 10 top-10 finishes in 13 starts. And his first start at Dover with Hendrick Motorsports? He led a lofty 263 laps.
Alex Bowman vs. William Byron: Despite having to start from the rear in a backup car, one would think that Byron will contend for at the very least a top-10 position. However, Bowman is the defending winner at Dover and will start from sixth position. Go with the No. 48 Chevrolet in this teammate duel.
Kevin Harvick vs. Martin Truex Jr.: Not too long ago, Harvick and Truex were duking it out for victories at Dover. Though starting 11th, Harvick says he still thinks his car will perform well on Monday while Truex is mired back in 18th at the start. In a bit of a surprise, the No. 19 team struggled on Saturday. I‘d give the slight nod to Harvick, as I have him in my garage.
Chase Elliott vs. Tyler Reddick: When talking to media on Saturday, Reddick was uncertain he will even make it through 400 miles at Dover due to the unpredictability of his No. 8 car in practice. After all, he spun multiple times. Meanwhile, Elliott was consistent and starts third. On top of that, HMS is the team to beat on Sunday.
