PixelatedPICK: NASCAR’s Return to Auto Club Speedway
FONTANA, California (February 27, 2022) – NASCAR is back in Fontana after missing last year’s event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the past 727 some-odd days, the sport has seen massive change.
The faces of the sport have cycled through from veterans like Jimmie Johnson to young guns like last week’s Daytona 500 winner Autsin Cindric.
The schedule has undergone a colossal overhaul as the sport has now returned to racing on dirt (Bristol), an uptick in road courses (Daytona, Road America, COTA), and as of this pre-season, an event in a stadium (Clash at the Coliseum).
The cars are completely new and are the biggest part of the push into NASCAR’s NextGen era. These new Gen 7 cars have proven to be a handful, providing a steep learning curve to teams, drivers and fans, while also providing a new element of excitement.
The aging surface in California, now NASCAR’s oldest surface (the previous oldest being Atlanta), has been tricky for drivers to navigate with the new car, as witnessed in Saturday’s practice and qualifying, which were chock full of close moments, spins and crashes.
The uncertainty of exactly how the new car will perform, and who will hit on the best setup when there virtually no notes to fall back on makes picking drivers for NASCAR’s Fantasy Live racing a tough chore.
The good thing for me is that I have a method. As mentioned last week, my strategy is clear and already set before me. Each week (except Daytona and special events), I will choose the top five drivers in the points standings that are available to me to be picked. Additionally, my official “Pick of the Week” will come from the Random Fantasy Racing generator.
Quickly recapping last week, it was a mixed bag, with Bubba Wallace performing the best finishing second but two drivers getting caught in big wrecks. Leaving Daytona, I am ranked 59,327th.
In race two of this young season, I find myself with a rather eclectic assortment of drivers; one that includes folks that I honestly feel like will not enjoy the top of the heap for very long, so being able to use them now is a bit of a treat, in a way. I just hope they perform well while they are there.
Cody Ware
For the second week in a row, Cody Ware makes my list of picks. I picked Ware last week at Daytona on the heels of a strong showing for him and his Rick Ware Racing teammate at the other California venue, the Clash at the Coliseum. After a 17th place finish in Daytona, Ware popped up as my Random Fantasy Racing pick of the week. So I suppose it’s “Go car 51!” this week.
Austin Cindric
Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric turned a lot of heads last week, becoming the first Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate to win the Great American Race. This was Cindric’s second start in the 500 and eighth Cup Series start overall. Coming into Fontana as the overall points leader, Cindric continued his impressive start by capturing his first pole position. It looks as though this rookie is the real deal.
Brad Keselowski
Bad Brad didn’t make many friends in the Daytona 500, being the epicenter of two massive crashes that resulted in many torn up race cars. Still, Keselowski scored well with a win in the Thursday Duel and ninth place finish overall, leaving Daytona second in the points standings.
Martin Truex Jr.
Not much to say here. The veteran driver was smooth in Daytona, avoiding the chaos and winning both Stages 1 & 2. He then positioned himself well late in the race, resulting in a solid 13th place finish and rolling into California third in the points standings.
Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace was my Random Fantasy Racing pick for Daytona and his performance did not disappoint. He kept his Toyota in the main camera frame all day long, led laps, and battled neck and neck with the Fords for the win. After all was said and done, Wallace was in position to capitalize on Ryan Blaney being blocked when made his attempt to take the lead on the final lap. Wallace dove low, and came within mere feet of winning the Daytona 500, picking up his second, second place finish. Wallace has some work to do in California after a spin during practice left his car with a damaged rear diffuser and unable to make a qualifying attempt.
Chase Briscoe
Not much to say here for young Chase Briscoe. He comes into California fifth in the points standings on the heels of an impressive late race charge that netted a third place finish in the Daytona 500. Aside from Cody Ware, Briscoe is my wild card this week, as I really don’t know how he will perform. For now, he sits as my garage pick, ready to be put into action if needed.
- By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining
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