Fantasy Fastlane: Leaning on dirt-track veterans for Bristol Dirt Race

MUST START:
Kyle Larson | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 5 Chevrolet
Odds: 9-2
This week, we're going heavy with drivers who have dirt-racing experience, and at the top of everyone's list is Kyle Larson. It's obvious why he's the favorite for Bristol. Last year, he looked to be well on his way to a strong finish after starting from the rear before clobbering into Christopher Bell after the No. 20 car went for a spin. This should be the race the No. 5 team turns its season around, having four finishes of 19th or worse in the last five showings.

MUST START:
Christopher Bell | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Odds: 8-1
If for some reason, you've already used Larson a few times and want to save him for later in the year, Bell is a solid 1B driver this weekend. Like the reigning champion, Bell has plenty of wins on dirt tracks across the country. Bell is on a wave of momentum, too, having two top-five efforts in the last three races, and he was running well at Martinsville before a late pit-road penalty.

MUST START:
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | View stats
JTG Daugherty Racing, No. 47 Chevrolet
Odds: 20-1
Stenhouse is a definite use here, finishing runner-up in the only other Bristol Dirt Race. As my colleague Pat DeCola stated earlier this week, Stenhouse is a "bonafide superstar of the dirt racing community," so don't be shocked to see the No. 47 car contending for the win.

MUST START:
Alex Bowman | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 Chevrolet
Odds: 16-1
Bowman grew up racing in the dirt scene, and continuously works on getting better. This year, he challenged himself by making his World of Outlaws debut in early February, finishing 21st. Last year, Bowman was involved in the "Big One" at Bristol, relegating the No. 48 Chevrolet to 22nd.

SLEEPER PICK:
Tyler Reddick | View stats
Richard Childress Racing, No. 8 Chevrolet
Odds: 14-1
It wouldn't be surprising at all for this to be the weekend Reddick breaks through and wins his first Cup race. Growing up, he ran a bunch of races on dirt and he finished seventh in the dirt race last season. Reddick also has past NASCAR experience on dirt, competing in three Truck Series races at Eldora with two top-five results.

SLEEPER PICK:
Daniel Suárez | View stats
Trackhouse Racing, No. 99 Chevrolet
Odds: 20-1
No doubt, the biggest surprise in last year's Bristol Dirt Race was Suárez. For not having any dirt experience before making laps in Cup and Truck Series practices, the Mexico native handled himself well, leading 58 laps. This time around, that type of performance wouldn't be a surprise.

SLEEPER PICK:
Chase Briscoe | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Odds: 14-1
Realistically, Briscoe probably isn't a real sleeper for this weekend. Many players will probably have him in their starting lineups, given his previous success on dirt, including multiple appearances in the A-main of the Chili Bowl. If you want to go way off the beaten path, maybe look at a driver like Justin Allgaier, who will compete for Spire Motorsports and is listed at 250-1.

STAY AWAY FROM:
Denny Hamlin | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11 Toyota
Odds: 12-1
Hamlin has a real knack for adapting to new styles of racing quickly. Such was the case last year, when he rounded out the podium in this race. However, the No. 11 team has been very hit-or-miss in 2022, with just one top-10 effort. Choose wisely, and use Hamlin for a more efficient race this year.

STAY AWAY FROM:
William Byron | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 24 Chevrolet
Odds: 12-1
With the way Byron has performed over the last month, winning two of the past four races, this could really come back to haunt you. However, his lack of dirt experience -- he did compete in a late model race on Thursday at Volunteer Speedway, however -- is limited. Save the No. 24 car for later in the year. He did finish a respectable sixth last year, though.

STAY AWAY FROM:
Ross Chastain | View stats
Trackhouse Racing, No. 1 Chevrolet
Odds: 22-1
Staying away from Chastain this weekend is bold, too, as the No. 1 team leads the series with five top-five efforts this year (all coming in the last six races). But Chastain wrecked out of this race last year, and doesn't have a dirt racing background. When thinking of utilizing a driver to their maximum potential, other tracks come to mind for Chastain.

MY LINEUP: Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Chase Briscoe, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Alex Bowman;
Garage: Daniel Suarez

One would think regular dirt drivers would have the advantage this weekend; my lineup certainly thinks so. That wasn’t the case last year, but two of those drivers – Larson and Bell – were taken out in the same accident. This year around should be different, and it should surprise no one if their recent Chili Bowl battles translates over to Bristol on Sunday.