Fantasy NASCAR: KC Masterpiece 400 Power Rankings

The rules I have implemented for myself are:

1.I will not pick a driver more than 10 times this season.

2.Due to #1 these are “Power Rankings” (in quotations) I’m looking for value here.

My general format for my power rankings:

•Top 2 picks will generally be the favorites, the ones who should be top 5 or top 10 finishes.

• #3 and #4 will be your riskier picks, could be top 5 or bottom 15.

• Pick #5 is the dark horse.

Race Information

Race: KC Masterpiece 400

Laps: 267

Date: May 12^th

Venue: Kansas Speedway

2017 Winner: Martin Truex Jr. (3:24:16)

Track: Kansas Speedway. Built in 1999, this 1.5mile tri-oval asphalt track has been hosting two races annually since 2011. The turns hold a 17-20degree tilt, the front stretch is 9-11 and the backstretch is 5 degrees. This track hosted the first races for Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, Ryan Blaney and Erik Jones

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Power Rankings

Favorites

1) Kevin Harvick (4^th selection this year). He’s a favorite through and through. Fresh off a win last week he comes to Kansas where he finished 3^rdand 2^nd respectively the last two years. I almost forgot, he was 2^nd in 2015 too.

2) Kyle Busch (3^rd selection this year). It’s rough using the top two racers again so early but Kyle was 5^th here last year and he won in 2016. He struggled a bit the last few races and he will surely be in the top 3 in this or the next race, he’s too good to lag down for more than a few races.

High Risk/High Reward

3) Clint Bowyer (4^th selection this year) Fresh off a 2^nd place finish (his 5^th top ten finish in the last 6 races), Clint comes to Kansas where he finished 9^th last year.

4) Daniel Suarez (1^st selection this year). Coming off a 3^rd place finish right behind Clint last week, Daniel comes to Kansas Motor Speedway where he finished 6^th last year. His recent races have been trending better and better as he finished 11^th, 10^th , 10^th and 3^rd over his last four.

Dark Horse

5) William Byron (1^st selection this year). I went with fellow rookie Alex Bowman last week but William came through strong with a 14^th place finish. William has landed 3 top 15 finishes in his last 5 and seems to be trending better each race.

2018 Stats:

Favorites: Avg Finish 11^th place (29^th percentile)

High Risk/High Reward: Avg Finish 16^th (42^ndpercentile)

Dark Horse: Avg Finish 19^th (50^th percentile)