The 2024 NASCAR Cup Season has made its way to the final race of the season. It is now time to crown the 2024 champions, but before I get into the Driver Group Game picks for the championship race, I want to say THANK YOU!!! My goal every year is to provide you the best picks and teach you a little bit about how to be a better Fantasy NASCAR player. I appreciate you giving me the chance to be your “Fantasy NASCAR Crew Chief.” The 2024 season is almost complete and I already cannot wait for the 2025 season. Now onto Phoenix…
This is championship weekend and that means NASCAR needs a championship schedule. The Cup Series had a 50-minute practice session Friday night and then were able to make adjustments before qualifying Saturday afternoon. This is how the schedule used to be and it is refreshing to see this schedule back for the races at Phoenix.
Here is my starting lineup for the Championship Race…
RYAN BLANEY (5): Can Blaney be the first driver to win back-to-back championships since Jimmie Johnson won five in row from 2006 – 2010? I would not bet against the No. 12 car Sunday. Blaney posted the fastest speed in practice and he qualified 17th for the race. Blaney started 15th last year and won the championship. I think he can still win from the middle of the pack.
JOEY LOGANO (1): “Big Race Joey” is back in the championship four. That should not surprise anyone. He has made the championship four in every even year since 2014. Logano has been great when he is racing for a championship at Phoenix. He won the last two races at Phoenix when he was racing for the Bill France Trophy and he led the most laps and qualified on the front row. Logano shows up when there is a lot to race for. His team had three weeks to prepare their car for this race. Logano will be good Sunday. * I am not worried about NASCAR picking the pit stall for Logano.
ROSS CHASTAIN (3): Chastain broke the streak of championship four drivers winning the last race of the season when he went to Victory Lane at Phoenix last year. I am not sure he can win again Sunday, but the No. 1 car has enough speed to run up front Sunday. Chastain should be one of the better non-playoff drivers in the race at Phoenix.
CARSON HOCEVAR (4): Hocevar has competed in two races in the Cup Series at Phoenix. He finished 15th at Phoenix in March and Hocevar finished 19th in this race last year. Hocevar has some speed again this weekend. The No. 77 car posted the 11th-fastest long-run speed in practice and they qualified 15th for the race. Hocevar should be good enough to finish in the top-15 again Sunday.
* If you are out of allocations and need to know which driver to use Sunday, simply look at the Driver Rankings for the CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Follow me on X (Twitter) @MrFantasyNASCAR
If you like Fantasy NASCAR, LIKE my Fantasy NASCAR Tips Page on Facebook