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Fantasy Fastlane: 2018 Gander Outdoors 400
By RJ Kraft | Published: July 25, 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 plays to avoid for NASCAR Fantasy Live. Garage driver will lock at end of Stage 2.
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Denny Hamlin | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Hamlin has four wins at Pocono but none have come since 2010 – he has just four top fives here since. The veteran struggled in the New Hampshire race, so it's hard to get a read on this group. The history says play; recency says approach with caution.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Hamlin has four wins at Pocono but none have come since 2010 – he has just four top fives here since. The veteran struggled in the New Hampshire race, so it's hard to get a read on this group. The history says play; recency says approach with caution.
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Kurt Busch | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 41 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Busch looked as strong as he has looked all season last weekend at New Hampshire. The numbers say that should continue at Pocono, where he has three wins including one in 2016. The 2004 champion has four top-five finishes in his last nine starts at the track.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 41 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Busch looked as strong as he has looked all season last weekend at New Hampshire. The numbers say that should continue at Pocono, where he has three wins including one in 2016. The 2004 champion has four top-five finishes in his last nine starts at the track.
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Ryan Blaney | View stats
Team Penske, No. 12 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Blaney won at Pocono last year and his 11.6 average finish is third-best among active drivers (only one finish outside the top 11). YRB grabbed the pole in June and earned the fifth-most points in that race. He is averaging 44 points in his past two 2018 races.
Team Penske, No. 12 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Blaney won at Pocono last year and his 11.6 average finish is third-best among active drivers (only one finish outside the top 11). YRB grabbed the pole in June and earned the fifth-most points in that race. He is averaging 44 points in his past two 2018 races.
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Brad Keselowski | View stats
Team Penske, No. 2 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Despite only having one win at Pocono, Keselowski holds the best average finish (10.2) among Sunday's field. That stat is buoyed by six straight top-five finishes here – earning the most points in that stretch. He's as strong a play outside the 'Big 3' as you’ll find.
Team Penske, No. 2 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Despite only having one win at Pocono, Keselowski holds the best average finish (10.2) among Sunday's field. That stat is buoyed by six straight top-five finishes here – earning the most points in that stretch. He's as strong a play outside the 'Big 3' as you’ll find.
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Kyle Larson | View stats
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Larson notched a runner-up finish at the Pennsylvania track in June and has finished outside the top 12 just once in nine starts. His 10.6 average finish is second-best among active drivers. This is one of several tracks that shape up well for the young star.
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Larson notched a runner-up finish at the Pennsylvania track in June and has finished outside the top 12 just once in nine starts. His 10.6 average finish is second-best among active drivers. This is one of several tracks that shape up well for the young star.
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Martin Truex Jr. | View stats
Furniture Row Racing, No. 78 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: The most recent Pocono winner has two wins at the track. The 2017 champion is on a hot streak with three wins and nine top-four finishes in his past 10 2018 races. As with any 'Big 3' play, uses are likely an issue. If you have three or more, play him.
Furniture Row Racing, No. 78 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: The most recent Pocono winner has two wins at the track. The 2017 champion is on a hot streak with three wins and nine top-four finishes in his past 10 2018 races. As with any 'Big 3' play, uses are likely an issue. If you have three or more, play him.
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Kyle Busch | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Busch has led 187 laps in the last three Pocono races while averaging 49.3 points in that stretch. His average running position for the June race was 2.86. Uses are tight, so if you have three or more, the recent numbers push me to play him.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Busch has led 187 laps in the last three Pocono races while averaging 49.3 points in that stretch. His average running position for the June race was 2.86. Uses are tight, so if you have three or more, the recent numbers push me to play him.
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Kevin Harvick | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Fresh off a bump-and-run win, Harvick enters Pocono searching for his first 'Tricky Triangle' win – he’s 0-for-35. Since moving to SHR, he has four runner-ups and a pair of fourths. As always, it comes down to uses. If you have more than two, play him.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Fresh off a bump-and-run win, Harvick enters Pocono searching for his first 'Tricky Triangle' win – he’s 0-for-35. Since moving to SHR, he has four runner-ups and a pair of fourths. As always, it comes down to uses. If you have more than two, play him.
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SLEEPER PICK: Chase Elliott | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Elliott has finished outside the top 10 just once at Pocono in five starts and holds the best average running position. Fresh off a top five at New Hampshire, Chase has turned a corner.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Elliott has finished outside the top 10 just once at Pocono in five starts and holds the best average running position. Fresh off a top five at New Hampshire, Chase has turned a corner.
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SLEEPER PICK: Aric Almirola | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 10 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Almirola’s third-place finish at New Hampshire was impressive. The June Pocono race saw the veteran come from 34th to finish seventh. He is enjoying a career year and we expect that to continue.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 10 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Almirola’s third-place finish at New Hampshire was impressive. The June Pocono race saw the veteran come from 34th to finish seventh. He is enjoying a career year and we expect that to continue.
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SLEEPER PICK: Jimmie Johnson | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: A three-time winner at Pocono is a sleeper? Yes, that’s where we are with 'Seven-Time' these days. Johnson finished eighth in June and is at his best at strategic tracks where Chad Knaus can work some magic.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: A three-time winner at Pocono is a sleeper? Yes, that’s where we are with 'Seven-Time' these days. Johnson finished eighth in June and is at his best at strategic tracks where Chad Knaus can work some magic.
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SLEEPER PICK: Paul Menard | View stats
Wood Brothers Racing, No. 21 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Menard’s Pocono numbers are far from impressive with just two top 10s in 23 starts. What has us believing? His 11th-place run in June is part of a stretch of six top 14s in his past nine races in 2018 and the team has speed.
Wood Brothers Racing, No. 21 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Menard’s Pocono numbers are far from impressive with just two top 10s in 23 starts. What has us believing? His 11th-place run in June is part of a stretch of six top 14s in his past nine races in 2018 and the team has speed.
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STAY AWAY FROM: Clint Bowyer | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Fastlane forecast: It’s hard to maximize value with Bowyer when he has just two top fives in 25 Pocono starts. Throw in the fact Watkins Glen and Bristol have been solid for him in recent years, his June Michigan win and I'm passing to have him for those races.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Fastlane forecast: It’s hard to maximize value with Bowyer when he has just two top fives in 25 Pocono starts. Throw in the fact Watkins Glen and Bristol have been solid for him in recent years, his June Michigan win and I'm passing to have him for those races.
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STAY AWAY FROM: Joey Logano | View stats
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Logano has four finishes of 20th-or-worse in his last six Pocono starts. He also isn't accumulating the points quite as much as he was earlier this year, with his highest total in one race over the past eight races being 33 points.
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Logano has four finishes of 20th-or-worse in his last six Pocono starts. He also isn't accumulating the points quite as much as he was earlier this year, with his highest total in one race over the past eight races being 33 points.
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My lineup heading into the weekend: Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney; Garage: Chase Elliott. Check back for our “Fantasy Update” piece this weekend for the final lineup. Tweet at me @kraftdaddy85
with your lineups and questions ahead of Sunday’s race at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
with your lineups and questions ahead of Sunday’s race at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.