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Fantasy Fastlane: It’s Truex’s time to shine, bullish on Byron at Charlotte
By RJ Kraft | Published: May 22, 2020 20
Christian Petersen | Getty Images
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Editor's note: Fantasy Fastlane will look at each race from a fantasy perspective, examining the top plays and sleepers as well as plays to avoid for NASCAR Fantasy Live. Garage driver will lock at end of Stage 3 for ONLY the Coca-Cola 600, and drivers will ONLY earn stage points in Stages 1 and 2. There will be a pole pick for the Coca-Cola 600. This race includes a $10,000 prize to the highest scoring roster.
For the second race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, on Wednesday, the garage will lock after Stage 2 and there will be NO pole pick for that race.
Odds come from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday morning.
PLAY NOW: Set your Fantasy Live lineup today
For the second race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, on Wednesday, the garage will lock after Stage 2 and there will be NO pole pick for that race.
Odds come from DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday morning.
PLAY NOW: Set your Fantasy Live lineup today
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Meg Oliphant | Getty Images
Kevin Harvick | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Odds: 6-1
Fastlane forecast: Harvick has had a few blemishes of late at the oval Charlotte layout, but he has three victories with two in the Coca-Cola 600. He remains a strong intermediate track play as evidenced by his Sunday win at Darlington Raceway. You are going to want to make sure you have uses for him at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway next month as well.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Odds: 6-1
Fastlane forecast: Harvick has had a few blemishes of late at the oval Charlotte layout, but he has three victories with two in the Coca-Cola 600. He remains a strong intermediate track play as evidenced by his Sunday win at Darlington Raceway. You are going to want to make sure you have uses for him at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway next month as well.
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Christian Petersen | Getty Images
Chase Elliott | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Odds: 9-1
Fastlane forecast: Elliott has been THE car in most of the 2020 races, but circumstances have hindered him late in the race. He has two top-four finishes in his last Charlotte oval races and the fifth-most points at the track in the last four. He's one of my Sunday cornerstone picks, with some consideration on a double dip.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Odds: 9-1
Fastlane forecast: Elliott has been THE car in most of the 2020 races, but circumstances have hindered him late in the race. He has two top-four finishes in his last Charlotte oval races and the fifth-most points at the track in the last four. He's one of my Sunday cornerstone picks, with some consideration on a double dip.
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Meg Oliphant | Getty Images
Kyle Busch | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Odds: 11-2
Fastlane forecast: For the sport's longest race, I want the best there is, and that is Kyle Busch. His last three Coca-Cola 600s: a dominating victory in 2018 sandwiched between a second in 2017 and a third in 2019. The intermediate speed hasn't fully shown itself, but I'm riding with "Rowdy" this weekend.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Odds: 11-2
Fastlane forecast: For the sport's longest race, I want the best there is, and that is Kyle Busch. His last three Coca-Cola 600s: a dominating victory in 2018 sandwiched between a second in 2017 and a third in 2019. The intermediate speed hasn't fully shown itself, but I'm riding with "Rowdy" this weekend.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Denny Hamlin | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11 Toyota
Odds: 9-1
Fastlane forecast: Hamlin's 12.3 average finish at the Charlotte oval is second-best among the field. However, he has yet to win in 27 starts. He does have five top-five finishes in his last seven races at the 1.5-mile track and the third-most points over the last four at the track. Wednesday's Darlington winner is a solid choice.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11 Toyota
Odds: 9-1
Fastlane forecast: Hamlin's 12.3 average finish at the Charlotte oval is second-best among the field. However, he has yet to win in 27 starts. He does have five top-five finishes in his last seven races at the 1.5-mile track and the third-most points over the last four at the track. Wednesday's Darlington winner is a solid choice.
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Christian Petersen | Getty Images
Martin Truex Jr. | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 19 Toyota
Odds: 6-1
Fastlane forecast: Truex has one finish outside the top five in his last eight oval starts at Charlotte. That stretch includes three wins with two in the Coca-Cola 600. His average of 53.25 points in the last four races here is best. He's a must for Sunday -- the day to night transition is a strong suit. A strong 600 will put him in my midweek lineup, too.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 19 Toyota
Odds: 6-1
Fastlane forecast: Truex has one finish outside the top five in his last eight oval starts at Charlotte. That stretch includes three wins with two in the Coca-Cola 600. His average of 53.25 points in the last four races here is best. He's a must for Sunday -- the day to night transition is a strong suit. A strong 600 will put him in my midweek lineup, too.
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Christian Petersen | Getty Images
Joey Logano | View stats
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Odds: 8-1
Fastlane forecast: Logano was the runner-up in the Coca-Cola 600 last year and has two wins in 2020 with one on an intermediate. Holding an average finish of 12.5 here and with the most points on 1.5-mile tracks over the last 10 races, double dipping with "Sliced Bread" is a sound thought if you have the uses.
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Odds: 8-1
Fastlane forecast: Logano was the runner-up in the Coca-Cola 600 last year and has two wins in 2020 with one on an intermediate. Holding an average finish of 12.5 here and with the most points on 1.5-mile tracks over the last 10 races, double dipping with "Sliced Bread" is a sound thought if you have the uses.
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Katelyn Mulcahy | Getty Images
Alex Bowman | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 88 Chevrolet
Odds: 16-1
Fastlane forecast: Bowman has been rock solid on intermediates and 1.5-mile tracks for the past year-plus. He has earned the fifth-most points on 1.5-mile tracks over the last 10 races at tracks of that length. He has two straight top 10s in the Coca-Cola 600 -- good enough for the seventh-most points in that stretch.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 88 Chevrolet
Odds: 16-1
Fastlane forecast: Bowman has been rock solid on intermediates and 1.5-mile tracks for the past year-plus. He has earned the fifth-most points on 1.5-mile tracks over the last 10 races at tracks of that length. He has two straight top 10s in the Coca-Cola 600 -- good enough for the seventh-most points in that stretch.
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Matt Sullivan | Getty Images
Brad Keselowski | View stats
Team Penske, No. 2 Ford
Odds: 8-1
Fastlane Forecast: Keselowski and new crew chief Jeremy Bullins are starting to knock on the door of Victory Lane. In the five races since Daytona International Speedway, Keselowski has averaged 36.6 points. The Charlotte record is spotty of late, with three finishes outside the top 10 in the last four there, but he has a knack to rise up in big races.
Team Penske, No. 2 Ford
Odds: 8-1
Fastlane Forecast: Keselowski and new crew chief Jeremy Bullins are starting to knock on the door of Victory Lane. In the five races since Daytona International Speedway, Keselowski has averaged 36.6 points. The Charlotte record is spotty of late, with three finishes outside the top 10 in the last four there, but he has a knack to rise up in big races.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 Chevrolet
Odds: 16-1
Fastlane forecast: Johnson has eight wins on the Charlotte oval layout, and even in recent years, he has performed solidly at the 1.5-mile track. In the last four races at Charlotte’s oval, "Seven-Time" has the fourth-most points -- an average of 35.75 -- more than Harvick, Elliott and all three Team Penske drivers.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 Chevrolet
Odds: 16-1
Fastlane forecast: Johnson has eight wins on the Charlotte oval layout, and even in recent years, he has performed solidly at the 1.5-mile track. In the last four races at Charlotte’s oval, "Seven-Time" has the fourth-most points -- an average of 35.75 -- more than Harvick, Elliott and all three Team Penske drivers.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Kurt Busch | View stats
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 1 Chevrolet
Odds: 25-1
Fastlane forecast: After a slow start to 2020, Busch has been one of the best drivers in recent races with three top-six finishes in his last four races. While he has just one win at Charlotte in 37 starts, he does have seven top-11 finishes in his last nine starts. He also has the seventh-most points over the last four races here.
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 1 Chevrolet
Odds: 25-1
Fastlane forecast: After a slow start to 2020, Busch has been one of the best drivers in recent races with three top-six finishes in his last four races. While he has just one win at Charlotte in 37 starts, he does have seven top-11 finishes in his last nine starts. He also has the seventh-most points over the last four races here.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK: Matt Kenseth | View stats
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Odds: 40-1
Fastlane forecast: Kenseth has two wins at Charlotte with his first Cup victory coming in the 2000 Coca-Cola 600. Three of his last five Charlotte oval starts resulted in top 10s, and four of them resulted in top-11 finishes. With two Darlington races in the books, the veteran has his feet under him and is a sneaky play to make.
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Odds: 40-1
Fastlane forecast: Kenseth has two wins at Charlotte with his first Cup victory coming in the 2000 Coca-Cola 600. Three of his last five Charlotte oval starts resulted in top 10s, and four of them resulted in top-11 finishes. With two Darlington races in the books, the veteran has his feet under him and is a sneaky play to make.
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Christian Petersen | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK: William Byron | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 24 Chevrolet
Odds: 22-1
Fastlane forecast: Byron scored a top 10 from the pole in last year's Coca-Cola 600. In his last 10 starts on 1.5-mile tracks, he has scored at least 34 points in five of those races. His 2020 season hasn't gotten off to the fast start the rest of his teammates have had, but Charlotte feels like a prime place for a turnaround.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 24 Chevrolet
Odds: 22-1
Fastlane forecast: Byron scored a top 10 from the pole in last year's Coca-Cola 600. In his last 10 starts on 1.5-mile tracks, he has scored at least 34 points in five of those races. His 2020 season hasn't gotten off to the fast start the rest of his teammates have had, but Charlotte feels like a prime place for a turnaround.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK: Aric Almirola | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 10 Ford
Odds: 40-1
Fastlane forecast: In his last four Cup races, Almirola is averaging 34.5 points with an average finish of 8.8. He has the seventh-most fantasy points entering this race. While he only has one top 10 in 13 starts at Charlotte's oval, there's something to be said about taking advantage of a play while he's Almi-rolling. Am I right?
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 10 Ford
Odds: 40-1
Fastlane forecast: In his last four Cup races, Almirola is averaging 34.5 points with an average finish of 8.8. He has the seventh-most fantasy points entering this race. While he only has one top 10 in 13 starts at Charlotte's oval, there's something to be said about taking advantage of a play while he's Almi-rolling. Am I right?
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Christian Petersen | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK: Tyler Reddick | View stats
Richard Childress Racing, No. 8 Chevrolet
Odds: 50-1
Fastlane forecast: Reddick carried his positive momentum prior to the stoppage with speed at Darlington. The secret is out on the rookie who is a strong play to utilize on rough surfaces with tire wear like Atlanta and Miami. He won at Charlotte in the Xfinity ranks last year, and I like how he is trending up as a play to consider.
Richard Childress Racing, No. 8 Chevrolet
Odds: 50-1
Fastlane forecast: Reddick carried his positive momentum prior to the stoppage with speed at Darlington. The secret is out on the rookie who is a strong play to utilize on rough surfaces with tire wear like Atlanta and Miami. He won at Charlotte in the Xfinity ranks last year, and I like how he is trending up as a play to consider.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | View stats
JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 47 Chevrolet
Odds: 33-1
Fastlane forecast: Here's a sneaky option for you at Charlotte. In his last seven starts on the oval layout, he has notched six top 15s with a best finish of fifth in last year's Coca-Cola 600. He also has the eighth-most points in the last four races there. In the year's lone 1.5-mile race to date, Stenhouse posted his lone top five of the season -- a third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 47 Chevrolet
Odds: 33-1
Fastlane forecast: Here's a sneaky option for you at Charlotte. In his last seven starts on the oval layout, he has notched six top 15s with a best finish of fifth in last year's Coca-Cola 600. He also has the eighth-most points in the last four races there. In the year's lone 1.5-mile race to date, Stenhouse posted his lone top five of the season -- a third-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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Christian Petersen | Getty Images
STAY AWAY FROM: Clint Bowyer | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Odds: 25-1
Fastlane forecast: Bowyer does have one win at Charlotte (from 2012 when he was at Michael Waltrip Racing). He has just two top fives and five top 10s in 26 starts there. That's just not a solid percentage of good results to bank on in fantasy. Save your Bowyer uses for upcoming races at Bristol Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Odds: 25-1
Fastlane forecast: Bowyer does have one win at Charlotte (from 2012 when he was at Michael Waltrip Racing). He has just two top fives and five top 10s in 26 starts there. That's just not a solid percentage of good results to bank on in fantasy. Save your Bowyer uses for upcoming races at Bristol Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
STAY AWAY FROM: Erik Jones | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Odds: 25-1
Fastlane forecast: While Darlington has been one of the best tracks for Jones in his Cup career, Charlotte is at nearly the opposite end of the spectrum. He has one top 10 in four starts on the oval layout and hasn't finished higher than 17th in his last three starts there. You can find better options for these two races.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Odds: 25-1
Fastlane forecast: While Darlington has been one of the best tracks for Jones in his Cup career, Charlotte is at nearly the opposite end of the spectrum. He has one top 10 in four starts on the oval layout and hasn't finished higher than 17th in his last three starts there. You can find better options for these two races.
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Christian Petersen | Getty Images
STAY AWAY FROM: Austin Dillon | View stats
Richard Childress Racing, No. 3 Chevrolet
Odds: 66-1
Fastlane forecast: Dillon won this race in 2017 thanks to a fuel-mileage play. Since that win, his last three results on the oval layout are a pair of 34th-place finishes in the Coca-Cola 600 and a 16th-place finish in the fall of 2017. In the last three races at Charlotte, he has the 27th-most points at the track. Not the type of production you want to roster.
Richard Childress Racing, No. 3 Chevrolet
Odds: 66-1
Fastlane forecast: Dillon won this race in 2017 thanks to a fuel-mileage play. Since that win, his last three results on the oval layout are a pair of 34th-place finishes in the Coca-Cola 600 and a 16th-place finish in the fall of 2017. In the last three races at Charlotte, he has the 27th-most points at the track. Not the type of production you want to roster.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
The first Charlotte lineup could see a shift after qualifying (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on FS1), but my overall thought is to go big for the 600-miler and take a few more chances Wednesday.
My lineup for Sunday's race: Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Jimmie Johnson, William Byron; Garage: Kevin Harvick .
My lineup for Wednesday's race: Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, William Byron; Garage: Aric Almirola
Tweet at me @kraftdaddy85
with your lineups and questions before Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 race at 6 p.m. ET on FOX and Wednesday's Alsco Uniforms 500 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.
My lineup for Sunday's race: Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Jimmie Johnson, William Byron; Garage: Kevin Harvick .
My lineup for Wednesday's race: Alex Bowman, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, William Byron; Garage: Aric Almirola
Tweet at me @kraftdaddy85
with your lineups and questions before Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 race at 6 p.m. ET on FOX and Wednesday's Alsco Uniforms 500 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.