Some people in the garage say, “The real season starts after the Daytona 500.” I do not agree with that because all of the races are worth the same in Fantasy NASCAR. It is important to “survive” the Daytona 500 and if you used my pick last week (Michael McDowell finished 7th), you should be in good shape for the race at Auto Club Speedways.
I was asked by many people if I can make picks for One & Done contests that run from the Daytona 500 through the last race of the regular season (the summer race at Daytona). Many One & Done games use this format and then advance the top teams to the playoffs. I will provide picks for these contests since the strategy will be different. We do not need to take as many chances with lower-tier drivers in this format.
One & Done Pick for Auto Club: Deniel Hemric almost has to be our pick this week. Hemric will drive the No. 16 car for Kaulig Racing Sunday. His schedule for 2022 is: Daytona, Auto Club, Las Vegas, Talladega, Darlington, Daytona, Darlington and Talladega. I want to take a chance with lower-level drivers at the two races at Talladega and the race at Daytona. I want one of the drivers from the top teams at Las Vegas and Darlington is the toughest track on the schedule. I do not trust Hemric at the Track Too Tough Too Tame. That leaves Auto Club as the last choice. Hemric qualified fifth and was 13th fastest in practice. He should have a good chance to finish in the top-15 Sunday.
Regular Season + Playoff Game Pick: Kyle Busch will be my pick in games that reset at the end of the regular season. Busch has been fantastic at Auto Club in his career. He finished 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 8th, 25th, 1st, 1st, 2nd and 3rd since 2010 at the track. Busch posted the second-fastest speed in practice and qualified third. I know he said he is worried about his car, but he is always worried at the track. Busch is a glass half-empty driver, but he always runs well.
Good Luck This Week!
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