Fantasy Fastlane: Drivers with dirt distinctions primed for Bristol

For the third time ever, the NASCAR Cup Series visits the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt track this weekend on Easter Sunday. Neither of the first two renditions were won by drivers with a multitude of dirt racing experience. But don’t let that shy you away from using drivers with dirt backgrounds this weekend.

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MUST START: 

Kyle Larson | View stats

Hendrick Motorsports, No. 5 Chevrolet

Odds: 5-1

This one should be obvious, right? Larson is regarded by many insiders in the dirt racing community as being among the best dirt racers in the world. He’s coming off a win at Richmond, and Hendrick Motorsports has brought the fastest cars to the track in 2023. The No. 5 car finished fourth last year and wrecked out in the inaugural Bristol dirt event.

MUST START: 

Christopher Bell | View stats

Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota

Odds: 7-1

While Bell doesn’t get to race on dirt as much as he once did, he’s no slouch. For a long time, Larson himself considered Bell one of the best dirt racers he’s competed against, winning multiple Chili Bowls straight up against Larson. The No. 20 team is still looking for its first win this season after earning four top five-finishes, and it won’t surprise anybody if it comes this weekend.

MUST START: 

Tyler Reddick | View stats

23XI Racing, No. 45 Toyota

Odds: 6-1

Oh, what could have been for Reddick last year on the Bristol dirt. He was a set of corners away from scoring his first Cup Series victory until Chase Briscoe sent it into Turn 3 hard and took out both cars. Reddick managed to loop his car around to finish runner-up. One would imagine redemption will be on the four-time Cup Series winner’s mind this weekend.

MUST START: 

Chase Briscoe | View stats

Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford

Odds: 9-1

Speaking of Briscoe, he’s worth a gamble this weekend. While the start of the 2023 season hasn’t gone as planned for the No. 14 team – Briscoe ranks 21st in the championship standings – with just one top-10 finish. As noted above, he was in contention last season at Bristol dirt, hunting down Reddick late in the race. Given another opportunity, maybe he will race differently this year.

SLEEPER PICK: 

Joey Logano | View stats

Team Penske, No. 22 Ford

Odds: 12-1

Given Logano’s a two-time Cup champion, a 32-time race winner and he won the first Bristol Dirt Race in 2021, it’s hard to consider him a sleeper. But he’s the lone driver in the field to have top-five finishes in both Bristol dirt races, and he’ll have extra track time in the Truck Series race.

SLEEPER PICK: 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | View stats

JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 47 Chevrolet

Odds: 22-1

Stenhouse came up just short of winning the maiden Bristol Dirt Race in 2021, and he’s a respectable dirt competitor as well. Having competed in many of the largest dirt races in the country, Stenhouse is no slouch when slinging mud. The No. 47 team has also shown an uptick in performance across the board this season, including winning the Daytona 500.

SLEEPER PICK: 

Justin Haley | View stats

Kaulig Racing, No. 31 Chevrolet

Odds: 80-1

Last year, the No. 31 car was quick in its qualifying heat, leading wire-to-wire. Though Haley dropped to 14th in the finishing order, he grew up dirt racing and has plenty of experience. After flying overnight back to North Carolina from The Clash in February, Haley drove down to Florida and captured multiple dirt modified wins at Volusia Speedway Park. Don’t overlook Haley this weekend.

STAY AWAY FROM: 

Ross Chastain | View stats

Trackhouse Racing, No. 1 Chevrolet

Odds: 22-1

One of the themes early on in 2023 has been Chastain continuously upsetting his competitors, though some of it has been no fault of his own. Avoid using the No. 1 team this weekend, as Chastain finished 33rd and 35th in the two Bristol dirt races. With the speed Trackhouse has shown this year, you will have plenty of chances to use him later.

STAY AWAY FROM: 

Austin Dillon | View stats

RIchard Childress Racing, No. 3 Chevrolet

Odds: 50-1

Growing up competing on dirt, Dillon could certainly be a threat this weekend. He also won the first Craftsman Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway – NASCAR’s return to dirt – in 2013. But in two tries at the Bristol dirt track, the No. 3 team has an average finish of 26th and never showed much potential in either event.

STAY AWAY FROM: 

Kevin Harvick | View stats

Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 4 Ford

Odds: 50-1

If the Bristol surface was concrete this weekend, there would be no reason why Harvick shouldn’t be in your lineup. But it’s dirt, and his nickname “happy” hasn’t been appropriate in his two Bristol races with finishes of 15th and 34th. Let’s not use the No. 4 team this weekend.

FEATURED MATCHUP:

Kyle Busch vs. Joey Logano

Who would have thought that these two drivers would be the first two competitors to win in the Cup Series on the Bristol dirt? Not me. It’s a unique matchup this weekend, as Busch and the No. 8 cars were in contention for the win separately last season. Logano was no scrub either, placing third. I’ll go with Logano this weekend because he’s the only driver to have top fives in both races at Bristol dirt.

FEATURED MATCHUP:

Tyler Reddick vs. Daniel Suárez

Before the Bristol dirt weekend two years ago, Suárez never competed in a race on dirt. He was a pleasant surprise that weekend, placing fourth. Reddick, however, is one of four drivers to have top 10s in both races. Based on last season, he will likely be a threat for the win on Sunday.

FEATURED MATCHUP:

Kyle Larson vs. Christopher Bell

Obviously, this is the toughest call of the week. It’s been a bit of a shock that neither Bell nor Larson have competed for the win in either Bristol dirt event. Two years ago, Larson was incredibly quick before getting caught up in a multi-car incident. He’s coming off a win, and Hendrick Motorsports has been lights out early on this year, so he gets an ever-so-slight advantage.

FEATURED MATCHUP:

Alex Bowman vs. Chase Briscoe

Briscoe and his No. 14 team need a good run this weekend. Unlike last year, when he already had a win, he might not be able to make daring moves at Bristol. Bowman, though, continues to power his way to top-10 finish after top-10 finish. Going into the weekend, I have both available in my lineup, but I’ll give the slight heads-up advantage to Briscoe.

MY LINEUP: Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano

GARAGE: Alex Bowman