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Fantasy Fastlane: Repeat performance from Ross Chastain at Las Vegas?
By Dustin Albino | Published: October 14, 2022 16
Sean Gardner | Getty Images
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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 2. Odds come from BetMGM (as of Thursday).
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
INTRO:
MUST START:
Ross Chastain | View stats
Trackhouse Racing, No. 1 Chevrolet
Odds: 10-1
Welp, we’re six races into the 2022 playoffs, and for as many feathers as Chastain ruffled earlier in the season, he’s one of just eight drivers left battling for the championship. Las Vegas in March was his coming out party, at the time leading a career-high 83 laps and winning his first stage. Trackhouse has been fast on intermediates this season; don’t see that stopping this weekend.
MUST START:
Ross Chastain | View stats
Trackhouse Racing, No. 1 Chevrolet
Odds: 10-1
Welp, we’re six races into the 2022 playoffs, and for as many feathers as Chastain ruffled earlier in the season, he’s one of just eight drivers left battling for the championship. Las Vegas in March was his coming out party, at the time leading a career-high 83 laps and winning his first stage. Trackhouse has been fast on intermediates this season; don’t see that stopping this weekend.
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Logan Riely | Getty Images
MUST START:
Kyle Busch | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Odds: 10-1
OK, I get it, Busch has had a postseason to forget. He’s had just one finish better than 20th – that being a third last weekend at the Charlotte Roval – and just one top-five effort in the last four months. The 17 races between top fives (Gateway to Charlotte) is the longest stretch of his career. But at Vegas in March, the No. 18 car was in contention for the hometown win until a late-race strategy dropped him to fourth in the finishing order. Given Toyota has been dominant on intermediates in the second half of the season, you could choose worse than Busch.
Kyle Busch | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 18 Toyota
Odds: 10-1
OK, I get it, Busch has had a postseason to forget. He’s had just one finish better than 20th – that being a third last weekend at the Charlotte Roval – and just one top-five effort in the last four months. The 17 races between top fives (Gateway to Charlotte) is the longest stretch of his career. But at Vegas in March, the No. 18 car was in contention for the hometown win until a late-race strategy dropped him to fourth in the finishing order. Given Toyota has been dominant on intermediates in the second half of the season, you could choose worse than Busch.
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Tim Nwachukwu | Getty Images
MUST START:
Christopher Bell | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Odds: 8-1
In walk-off fashion, Bell advanced to the Round of 8 last weekend at the Charlotte Roval. This round looks to be in his wheelhouse, as the No. 20 car has been wicked fast on 1.5-mile tracks in 2022, though still looking for its first win on such race tracks. At Kansas, a similar layout to LVMS, Bell led 12 laps and finished third last month. In the spring, he led 32 laps from the pole and finished 10th.
Christopher Bell | View stats
Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 20 Toyota
Odds: 8-1
In walk-off fashion, Bell advanced to the Round of 8 last weekend at the Charlotte Roval. This round looks to be in his wheelhouse, as the No. 20 car has been wicked fast on 1.5-mile tracks in 2022, though still looking for its first win on such race tracks. At Kansas, a similar layout to LVMS, Bell led 12 laps and finished third last month. In the spring, he led 32 laps from the pole and finished 10th.
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Mike Mulholland | Getty Images
MUST START:
Kyle Larson | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 5 Chevrolet
Odds: 8-1
With four races left in the season, you’re probably in a similar predicament as me, where you need to use Larson sparingly. Even with limited usages remaining, it’s probably worth considering putting the No. 5 car in your lineup this weekend. Larson is going to have something to prove after getting knocked out of the playoffs last weekend (still in the owners championship hunt). He also has eight top 10s in his last nine Vegas starts, five of which were on the podium.
Kyle Larson | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 5 Chevrolet
Odds: 8-1
With four races left in the season, you’re probably in a similar predicament as me, where you need to use Larson sparingly. Even with limited usages remaining, it’s probably worth considering putting the No. 5 car in your lineup this weekend. Larson is going to have something to prove after getting knocked out of the playoffs last weekend (still in the owners championship hunt). He also has eight top 10s in his last nine Vegas starts, five of which were on the podium.
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Logan Riely | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK:
Chase Briscoe | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Odds: 33-1
Briscoe has defied the odds in the first two rounds of the playoffs and the last true Cinderella story remaining. Prior to sweeping the Round of 12 with top-10 finishes, the No. 14 team had four in the first 29 races. Survive and advance is the name of the game, and he’s had success in the Xfinity Series at the track, including a 2020 sweep.
Chase Briscoe | View stats
Stewart-Haas Racing, No. 14 Ford
Odds: 33-1
Briscoe has defied the odds in the first two rounds of the playoffs and the last true Cinderella story remaining. Prior to sweeping the Round of 12 with top-10 finishes, the No. 14 team had four in the first 29 races. Survive and advance is the name of the game, and he’s had success in the Xfinity Series at the track, including a 2020 sweep.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK:
Bubba Wallace | View stats
23XI Racing, No. 45 Toyota
Odds: 14-1
With how Wallace performed at Kansas, it’s not a stretch to have him as a starter this weekend. For the most part, Toyotas have dominated the last few D-shaped ovals. Seemingly, the No. 45 team has put its pit road woes behind them and currently sits ninth in the owners standings.
Bubba Wallace | View stats
23XI Racing, No. 45 Toyota
Odds: 14-1
With how Wallace performed at Kansas, it’s not a stretch to have him as a starter this weekend. For the most part, Toyotas have dominated the last few D-shaped ovals. Seemingly, the No. 45 team has put its pit road woes behind them and currently sits ninth in the owners standings.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
SLEEPER PICK:
Brad Keselowski | View stats
RFK Racing, No. 6 Ford
Odds: 66-1
With how Keselowski has performed on similar tracks this season, it’s understandable as to why you would want to stay clear of the No. 6 car. However, he’s a stud in Sin City, with a trio of victories and 12 top-10 finishes in 18 starts. The 2012 champion also won the pole and led 31 laps at Texas, the last intermediate track.
Brad Keselowski | View stats
RFK Racing, No. 6 Ford
Odds: 66-1
With how Keselowski has performed on similar tracks this season, it’s understandable as to why you would want to stay clear of the No. 6 car. However, he’s a stud in Sin City, with a trio of victories and 12 top-10 finishes in 18 starts. The 2012 champion also won the pole and led 31 laps at Texas, the last intermediate track.
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Logan Riely | Getty Images
STAY AWAY FROM:
Chase Elliott | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Odds: 8-1
When asked about Las Vegas last weekend, Elliott didn’t sugarcoat his feelings as he struggled in the spring. Still, the No. 9 team finished ninth, the worst in the Hendrick bunch. With a top-10 rate of 45.5% at Las Vegas, consider saving Elliott for the final few races of the season.
Chase Elliott | View stats
Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet
Odds: 8-1
When asked about Las Vegas last weekend, Elliott didn’t sugarcoat his feelings as he struggled in the spring. Still, the No. 9 team finished ninth, the worst in the Hendrick bunch. With a top-10 rate of 45.5% at Las Vegas, consider saving Elliott for the final few races of the season.
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James Thomas | NASCAR Studios
STAY AWAY FROM:
Daniel Suárez | View stats
Trackhouse Racing, No. 99 Chevrolet
Odds: 33-1
If Suárez didn’t have a power steering issue at the Roval, it’s very likely he would still be in championship contention. Either way, that doesn’t impact his past Las Vegas stats. In 10 starts at the track, Suárez has a solo top 10 and has finishes of 20th or worse.
Daniel Suárez | View stats
Trackhouse Racing, No. 99 Chevrolet
Odds: 33-1
If Suárez didn’t have a power steering issue at the Roval, it’s very likely he would still be in championship contention. Either way, that doesn’t impact his past Las Vegas stats. In 10 starts at the track, Suárez has a solo top 10 and has finishes of 20th or worse.
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Dylan Buell | Getty Images
STAY AWAY FROM:
Austin Dillon | View stats
Richard Childress Racing, No. 3 Chevrolet
Odds: 66-1
Rounding out the top 10 last weekend at the Roval, Dillon now has nine top-10 finishes this year – tied for the most he’s had in a single season since 2016. However, accumulating top 10s at Las Vegas has been a difficult task for the North Carolina native, as he has just two in 14 starts. Granted, one of those was in the spring.
Austin Dillon | View stats
Richard Childress Racing, No. 3 Chevrolet
Odds: 66-1
Rounding out the top 10 last weekend at the Roval, Dillon now has nine top-10 finishes this year – tied for the most he’s had in a single season since 2016. However, accumulating top 10s at Las Vegas has been a difficult task for the North Carolina native, as he has just two in 14 starts. Granted, one of those was in the spring.
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Buda Mendes | Getty Images
MY LINEUP: Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr.
GARAGE: William Byron
GARAGE: William Byron
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
FEATURED MATCHUP: Christopher Bell vs. Ryan Blaney
Due to Toyota’s dominance on intermediates in the final two-thirds of the season, it’s realistic to think Bell could win at Las Vegas. Blaney is still looking for his first win of 2022 and has been consistently consistent in Sin City. With sheer speed, Bell has a small advantage.
Due to Toyota’s dominance on intermediates in the final two-thirds of the season, it’s realistic to think Bell could win at Las Vegas. Blaney is still looking for his first win of 2022 and has been consistently consistent in Sin City. With sheer speed, Bell has a small advantage.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
FEATURED MATCHUP: Chase Elliott vs. Joey Logano
While Elliott’s stats aren’t appalling at Las Vegas, Logano is a two-time winner at the track. Chevy has the clear advantage on intermediates this season, but Logano is known to throw a block or two should he gain track position. This is a near draw, but maybe surprisingly (?), I'll take the No. 22 car. In the first two rounds, Elliott has had a trend of having issues in the opening race.
While Elliott’s stats aren’t appalling at Las Vegas, Logano is a two-time winner at the track. Chevy has the clear advantage on intermediates this season, but Logano is known to throw a block or two should he gain track position. This is a near draw, but maybe surprisingly (?), I'll take the No. 22 car. In the first two rounds, Elliott has had a trend of having issues in the opening race.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
FEATURED MATCHUP: Ross Chastain vs. Denny Hamlin
While these two drivers haven’t seen eye-to-eye in 2022, both still have a realistic shot of winning the championship. Hamlin is the defending winner of the race and has three top-five finishes in his last four starts. Chastain, however, showed out in the spring and picked up his first top five of the year. After a summer slump, the No. 1 team is due for a breakout performance, and don’t be surprised if it comes this weekend.
While these two drivers haven’t seen eye-to-eye in 2022, both still have a realistic shot of winning the championship. Hamlin is the defending winner of the race and has three top-five finishes in his last four starts. Chastain, however, showed out in the spring and picked up his first top five of the year. After a summer slump, the No. 1 team is due for a breakout performance, and don’t be surprised if it comes this weekend.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
FEATURED MATCHUP: William Byron vs. Chase Briscoe
When there’s a will, there’s a way and Briscoe continues to charge on during the postseason. But Byron has turned around his regular season woes, and will likely be fast again at Vegas. Think there’s a clear-cut favorite here: Byron.
When there’s a will, there’s a way and Briscoe continues to charge on during the postseason. But Byron has turned around his regular season woes, and will likely be fast again at Vegas. Think there’s a clear-cut favorite here: Byron.