BACK TO GALLERIES
Fantasy Fastlane: 2018 Bank of America ROVAL 400
By RJ Kraft | Published: September 25, 2018 15
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
1 of 15
NASCAR Digital Media
Editor's note: Fantasy Fastlane will look at each race from a fantasy perspective, examining the top playoff and non-playoff plays as well as drivers to avoid for NASCAR Fantasy Live. Garage driver will lock at end of Stage 2.
PLAY NOW: Set your Fantasy Live lineup today
PLAY NOW: Set your Fantasy Live lineup today
2 of 15
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Erik Jones (P) | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Jones is one of six drivers to score top 10s in both 2018 road course races. He's also tied for the fourth-most points on road courses among playoff drivers. The concern lies in his playoff position – he is 21 points outside the cutline and will need to gamble to advance.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Jones is one of six drivers to score top 10s in both 2018 road course races. He's also tied for the fourth-most points on road courses among playoff drivers. The concern lies in his playoff position – he is 21 points outside the cutline and will need to gamble to advance.
3 of 15
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Kurt Busch (P) | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 41 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Busch has been a top 10 machine of late on road courses with 10 in his last 12 starts at that type of racing. Combine that with his solid showings of late at Charlotte – seven top 10s in his last eight starts – and this track layout seems to set up quite well for him.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 41 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Busch has been a top 10 machine of late on road courses with 10 in his last 12 starts at that type of racing. Combine that with his solid showings of late at Charlotte – seven top 10s in his last eight starts – and this track layout seems to set up quite well for him.
4 of 15
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Clint Bowyer (P) | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Bowyer may have only one win on a road course – Sonoma in 2012 – but he has 10 top fives in 26 career starts. His overall Charlotte numbers are spotty – just five top 10s in 25 starts. Given that he's just outside the cutoff, I'd expect plenty of aggression.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Bowyer may have only one win on a road course – Sonoma in 2012 – but he has 10 top fives in 26 career starts. His overall Charlotte numbers are spotty – just five top 10s in 25 starts. Given that he's just outside the cutoff, I'd expect plenty of aggression.
5 of 15
Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Chase Elliott (P) | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: In addition to earning a victory at the most recent road course race – Watkins Glen – Elliott earned the most points of all drivers this year at that style of track. Given his playoff position, he will likely be aggressive in pursuing stage points as he was in previous road races.
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: In addition to earning a victory at the most recent road course race – Watkins Glen – Elliott earned the most points of all drivers this year at that style of track. Given his playoff position, he will likely be aggressive in pursuing stage points as he was in previous road races.
6 of 15
Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Kevin Harvick (P) | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Harvick just has to start the race to lock into the Round of 12. That puts him in position to chase playoff points. His road course history is solid with two career wins and a runner-up at Sonoma in 2018. The bigger parts of this layout are set up well for him, too.
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Harvick just has to start the race to lock into the Round of 12. That puts him in position to chase playoff points. His road course history is solid with two career wins and a runner-up at Sonoma in 2018. The bigger parts of this layout are set up well for him, too.
7 of 15
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Martin Truex Jr. (P) | View stats
Furniture Row Racing, No. 78 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Truex is locked into the Round of 12 so why play him? I've got three reasons: 1. Recent Charlotte success so the traditional parts of the track are in his comfort zone. 2. Finished 1-2 at Sonoma & Watkins Glen. 3. Three stage wins (out of four run) in the 2018 playoffs.
Furniture Row Racing, No. 78 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Truex is locked into the Round of 12 so why play him? I've got three reasons: 1. Recent Charlotte success so the traditional parts of the track are in his comfort zone. 2. Finished 1-2 at Sonoma & Watkins Glen. 3. Three stage wins (out of four run) in the 2018 playoffs.
8 of 15
Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Kyle Busch (P) | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Fresh off his 50th Monster Energy Series victory, Busch is locked into the Round of 12. It's easy to forget, though, the 2015 champion is one of the best road racers in the sport with four wins and 18 top 10s in 28 starts. He can go for broke to build more playoff points.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Fresh off his 50th Monster Energy Series victory, Busch is locked into the Round of 12. It's easy to forget, though, the 2015 champion is one of the best road racers in the sport with four wins and 18 top 10s in 28 starts. He can go for broke to build more playoff points.
9 of 15
Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Daniel Suarez | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 19 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Suarez has earned the most points among non-playoff drivers in 2018 road course races. His success at Watkins Glen – an average finish of 3.5 -- and three top-15 finishes at Charlotte – are a nice combo for this weekend.
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 19 Toyota
Fastlane forecast: Suarez has earned the most points among non-playoff drivers in 2018 road course races. His success at Watkins Glen – an average finish of 3.5 -- and three top-15 finishes at Charlotte – are a nice combo for this weekend.
10 of 15
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
AJ Allmendinger | View stats
JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 47 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Allmendinger's road course stats may him a prime play among the non-playoff drivers. With a win and eight top 10s in 20 road course starts, it's hard to find a driver with a better road racing history.
JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 47 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Allmendinger's road course stats may him a prime play among the non-playoff drivers. With a win and eight top 10s in 20 road course starts, it's hard to find a driver with a better road racing history.
11 of 15
Josh Hedges/Getty Images
Michael McDowell | View stats
Front Row Motorsports, No. 34 Ford
Fastlane forecast: McDowell has earned the fourth-most points among non-playoff drivers in 2018 road course races. He won at Road America in the Xfinity Series in 2016. The veteran is an under-the-radar play this weekend.
Front Row Motorsports, No. 34 Ford
Fastlane forecast: McDowell has earned the fourth-most points among non-playoff drivers in 2018 road course races. He won at Road America in the Xfinity Series in 2016. The veteran is an under-the-radar play this weekend.
12 of 15
Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Chris Buescher | View stats
JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 37 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Of the non-playoff drivers, Buescher has earned the second-most points in the two 2018 road course races making him a sneaky play. His first national series win came in the Xfinity ranks at Mid-Ohio in 2014.
JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 37 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Of the non-playoff drivers, Buescher has earned the second-most points in the two 2018 road course races making him a sneaky play. His first national series win came in the Xfinity ranks at Mid-Ohio in 2014.
13 of 15
Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
STAY AWAY FROM: Joey Logano (P) | Stats
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Of the 16 playoff drivers, Logano has earned the least amount of points in the two 2018 road course races. That is extremely concerning for a race that features 17 turns around a 2.28-mile layout.
Team Penske, No. 22 Ford
Fastlane forecast: Of the 16 playoff drivers, Logano has earned the least amount of points in the two 2018 road course races. That is extremely concerning for a race that features 17 turns around a 2.28-mile layout.
14 of 15
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
STAY AWAY FROM: Kyle Larson (P) | Stats
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Individually, Charlotte and road course racing haven't brought out the best in Larson. He has two top 10s in 10 road course starts in the top series and his Charlotte average finish of 17.5 make this a combo to avoid.
Chip Ganassi Racing, No. 42 Chevrolet
Fastlane forecast: Individually, Charlotte and road course racing haven't brought out the best in Larson. He has two top 10s in 10 road course starts in the top series and his Charlotte average finish of 17.5 make this a combo to avoid.
15 of 15
Bob Leverone/Getty Images
I am not setting a preliminary lineup since this is the first time the course will be used. I’ll be keeping a close eye on practice speeds and qualifying throughout the weekend and I recommend you do the same. Check back for our 'Fantasy Update' piece this weekend for the lineup. Tweet at me @kraftdaddy85
with your lineups and questions ahead of Sunday's race at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.
with your lineups and questions ahead of Sunday's race at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.