One race left in the NASCAR Playoffs and we're coming off a week that was full of some wild boy shenanigans in Texas. Kevin Harvick ended up the victor in the AAA Texas 500 after a pretty dominant performance by the Stewart Haas Racing team. Tony Stewart was very vocal about fights, and other things, and (in my crazy mind) that could have sent some wild juju to the cars.
Denny Hamlin tried to turn his car into an airplane and soared through the infield only to realize he was driving a car, and with that put himself in a tough position coming into Pheonix. The big story was Bubba Wallace intentionally spinning to bring out the caution. That move pissed Kyle Larson's grits, and in an amazing turn of events, Wallace admitted to it in a video on twitter, and cost himself $50,000.
#NASCAR ... Here is what @BubbaWallace said about his spin last weekend at @TXMotorSpeedway pic.twitter.com/8wkyaf4NC6
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A lot is at stake in this race, and with seven playoff drivers in the Top 10, things are most definitely going to get heated. My driver picks will for sure have the race winner this week (I'm feeling cocky this week), but a good lineup is nothing without some sleepers. Below are the guys you should turn to fill in the gaps in your lineups on Sunday, and some you should ghost harder than your ex-girlfriend who still texts you in the middle of the day asking how your mom is doing (the crazy ones are tough to shake).
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What We Learned At Texas
- When Aric Almirola says he's gonna make things hell for a driver you better listen.
- Tony Stewart still packs a ton the heat in his words ( Forever Smoke).
- Bubba Wallace wants to drive the ME car from Talladega Nights (seems that way).
- John H. Nemechek is worth a watch the next two weeks.
- Daniel Suarez pulled a shocker with a third-place finish.
DFS Lineup Sleepers - Bluegreen Vacations 500
Landon Cassill
Cassill was featured on this week's edition of 10 Minute Tour on NASCAR's YouTube channel, and his energy seemed to be high. Aside from the high level of energy, Cassill seems to have an advantage at this track in the winter months. Since 2016, Cassill has averaged about 28 FPTS in November when running the desert, and almost always tends to end up with positive place differential.
Ryan Newman
Newman has gone from the Hot Dog Man to the Deep Fry Man with his new sponsor Mazola decking out the Rousch Fenway No. 6 Mustang. Even with the switch, nothing should affect him when running this track. Newman has consistently gained spots over the past three races at ISM and averages a total of 45 FPTS.
John H. Nemechek
Since taking over Matt Tifft's seat in the No. 36 Mustang, Nemechek has been showing that he has some skill at the cup level. Last week in Texas, Nemechek pulled out a 21st place finish after starting 29th, and showed some decent speed in practice at ISM this weekend. Looking a Tifft's numbers at this track, and assuming it's the car itself making magic in Pheonix, Nemechek could have himself a day on Sunday.
DFS Lineup Avoids - Bluegreen Vacations 500
Joey Logano
Logano has been "oof" at this track since his ISM win back in November of 2016. He has a solid record of pulling off negative placement over the past three years, except for the race back in March where he gained two spots to finish 10th. There is just too much to risk putting Logano in your lineup with a P2 qualifying start.
Alex Bowman
Bowman has had what some would say the best year of his career in 2019, but those days are over, and when running this track he seems to have a knack for falling down into the pack. Out of four Top 10 starts at ISM, Bowman only finished with one Top 10 since he started racing in the cup series. Keep this man locked up in the garage this Sunday.
Kyle Larson
I've got a feeling that Larson is going to get a bad case of the jitters on Sunday (might even "Hit The Woah a couple of times). Although he's had two Top 10 finishes in the last two races at ISM, I don't think he gets a chance to advance to the playoffs, or give you solid production this weekend. All I'm saying is beware of this driver, because when the going gets tough, Larson likes to catch the wall (for the most part).
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase.
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