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NASCAR Fantasy Fastlane: 2018 O’Reilly Auto Parts 500
By RJ Kraft | Published: April 4, 2018 16
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NASCAR Digital Media
Editor's note: Fantasy Fastlane will look at each race from a fantasy perspective, examining the top plays, several under-the-radar options and a play to avoid for NASCAR Fantasy Live
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Brad Keselowski | View stats
Team Penske, No. 2 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Keselowski has yet to win at Texas, but the Penske driver has been a top-10 machine (eight in his last 11 races) at the track known for No Limits. A Keselowski play this week comes down to how much you've used him; I've used him quite a bit.
Team Penske, No. 2 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Keselowski has yet to win at Texas, but the Penske driver has been a top-10 machine (eight in his last 11 races) at the track known for No Limits. A Keselowski play this week comes down to how much you've used him; I've used him quite a bit.
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Kurt Busch | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 41 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Busch won at Texas in 2009 and has notched two poles in the past six races there. He also has five top 10s in his last eight starts at the track. Last year, he notched the sixth-most stage points in the two races.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 41 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Busch won at Texas in 2009 and has notched two poles in the past six races there. He also has five top 10s in his last eight starts at the track. Last year, he notched the sixth-most stage points in the two races.
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Ryan Blaney | View stats
Team Penske, No. 12 Ford
Fastlane forecast: In last year's Texas races, Blaney earned the most stage points among all drivers. YRB is off to a strong start in 2018 as he is third in the standings and has had success on nearly every track type thus far in 2018. I'm looking to take advantage of his hot start.
Team Penske, No. 12 Ford
Fastlane forecast: In last year's Texas races, Blaney earned the most stage points among all drivers. YRB is off to a strong start in 2018 as he is third in the standings and has had success on nearly every track type thus far in 2018. I'm looking to take advantage of his hot start.
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Joey Logano | View stats
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Logano has a spring Texas race win on his resume from 2014 and has eight top-seven finishes in his last 10 runs here. In two intermediate races this year, he has two top-seven finishes. I have my eye on how the 22 looks in practice before adding him in.
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Logano has a spring Texas race win on his resume from 2014 and has eight top-seven finishes in his last 10 runs here. In two intermediate races this year, he has two top-seven finishes. I have my eye on how the 22 looks in practice before adding him in.
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Kyle Larson | View stats
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Larson's body of work on intermediate tracks screams to play him. He's almost always a lock for a top-10 finish. However, we have come to expect a little more from 'Yung Money.' For now, I'm electing to stay conservative on his use.
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Larson's body of work on intermediate tracks screams to play him. He's almost always a lock for a top-10 finish. However, we have come to expect a little more from 'Yung Money.' For now, I'm electing to stay conservative on his use.
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Kyle Busch | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: When Kyle Busch is on at Texas, he's really on. He has two wins and 11 top fives in 24 starts. Last year, he earned just one stage point here. I prefer to save my uses of 'Rowdy' for tracks like Bristol and Richmond.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: When Kyle Busch is on at Texas, he's really on. He has two wins and 11 top fives in 24 starts. Last year, he earned just one stage point here. I prefer to save my uses of 'Rowdy' for tracks like Bristol and Richmond.
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Kevin Harvick | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Harvick is the most recent race winner at Texas. The 2014 champ has recorded six top-six finishes in his last seven Texas starts. Throw in two intermediate wins already in 2018 and any lineup should start with him.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Harvick is the most recent race winner at Texas. The 2014 champ has recorded six top-six finishes in his last seven Texas starts. Throw in two intermediate wins already in 2018 and any lineup should start with him.
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Martin Truex Jr. | View stats
Furniture Row Racing, No. 78 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Besides Atlanta, Texas is the only intermediate track that Truex has not won at over the previous two seasons. He's one of two drivers to finish in the top 10 in the past six races at Texas. In the last four races here, he's led 363 laps. Build your lineup around him.
Furniture Row Racing, No. 78 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Besides Atlanta, Texas is the only intermediate track that Truex has not won at over the previous two seasons. He's one of two drivers to finish in the top 10 in the past six races at Texas. In the last four races here, he's led 363 laps. Build your lineup around him.
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SLEEPER PICK: Erik Jones | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Jones has one top 10 in three Texas starts and holds the eighth-best average running position here. Throw in three Xfinity wins at Texas and he's a good play to roster.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Jones has one top 10 in three Texas starts and holds the eighth-best average running position here. Throw in three Xfinity wins at Texas and he's a good play to roster.
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SLEEPER PICK: Chase Elliott | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: In four starts at Texas, Elliott has never finished outside the top 10 and has an average finish of 6.5. Why so cautious? We're in monitoring mode on the bulk of Chevrolets.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: In four starts at Texas, Elliott has never finished outside the top 10 and has an average finish of 6.5. Why so cautious? We're in monitoring mode on the bulk of Chevrolets.
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SLEEPER PICK: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Stats
Roush Fenway Racing, No. 17 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Stenhouse notched two top-14 finishes at the repaved Texas track in 2017. There's risk here based on the 2018 results thus far - 21st in the series standings - but the lack of usage makes it appealing.
Roush Fenway Racing, No. 17 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Stenhouse notched two top-14 finishes at the repaved Texas track in 2017. There's risk here based on the 2018 results thus far - 21st in the series standings - but the lack of usage makes it appealing.
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SLEEPER PICK: Alex Bowman | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 88 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Bowman has three straight top-13 finishes and scored his first top 10 at Martinsville last race. He finished 13th filling in for Dale Jr. at Texas in 2016. I like taking advantage of his recent run as a garage play.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 88 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Bowman has three straight top-13 finishes and scored his first top 10 at Martinsville last race. He finished 13th filling in for Dale Jr. at Texas in 2016. I like taking advantage of his recent run as a garage play.
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STAY AWAY FROM: Clint Bowyer | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Fresh off snapping his 190-race winless skid, owners may want to put Bowyer into their lineups. Table that thought for Bristol and Richmond. In the past 12 races at Texas, he has an average finish of 19.3.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Fresh off snapping his 190-race winless skid, owners may want to put Bowyer into their lineups. Table that thought for Bristol and Richmond. In the past 12 races at Texas, he has an average finish of 19.3.
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STAY AWAY FROM: Ryan Newman | Stats
Richard Childress Racing, No. 31 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Outside of plate tracks, Texas is Newman's worst track based on average finish - 18.7 in 29 starts. Four of his last five starts here have resulted in finishes outside the top 15. Use him elsewhere.
Richard Childress Racing, No. 31 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Outside of plate tracks, Texas is Newman's worst track based on average finish - 18.7 in 29 starts. Four of his last five starts here have resulted in finishes outside the top 15. Use him elsewhere.
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My lineup heading into the weekend: Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones and Kurt Busch; Garage: Alex Bowman.
Check back for our 'Fantasy Update' on Saturday. Tweet at me @kraftdaddy85
with your lineups and questions ahead of Sunday's race at 2 p.m. ET on FS1.
Check back for our 'Fantasy Update' on Saturday. Tweet at me @kraftdaddy85
with your lineups and questions ahead of Sunday's race at 2 p.m. ET on FS1.