Will Kyle Busch finally be ‘California Dreaming’? – Auto Club 400 Fantasy Picks

We are now four races into the new season, but NASCAR fans have yet to be treated to a genuine shock in the Sprint Cup.

Perhaps the only real surprise is the absence of a win for reigning champion Kyle Busch, but it is surely only a matter of time before the Nevadan seals his place in the Chase phase with a pace-fuelled surge to victory lane.

The key to success in 2016 is set to be willpower, with many fantasy team managers resisting the urge to use their entire allocation of Kyle Busch starts.

Instead, there is the reliance on Joe Gibbs drivers successfully emulating last year’s “Summer of Love” in order to surge into the highest percentiles.

 

 

 

GROUP A

STARTER – Kevin Harvick

Harvick surged to the top of the power rankings after claiming an enthralling photo-finish victory in the Good Sam 500 and subsequently booking an automatic Chase berth in the process. A combination of consistency and confidence can overcome any amount of pace from rival teams, and Harvick presently has an abundance of both.

Like a vow of chastity, the waiting continues until the time is right to unleash hell in the form of this week’s reserve choices.

RESERVES – Kyle Busch or Matt Kenseth

Both drivers are bereft of a win this season, but the summer races are set to be bountiful once again for the deadly duo. While Kenseth’s history at the circuit is decidedly checkered, Kyle Busch boasts an excellent historical record in Fontana, with four consecutive podiums (and two wins) prior to Sunday’s race.

Logic would dictate Busch’s immediate appointment as the Group A starter, but it is worth noting that he has not run this event for two years, having missed last year’s Auto Club 400 through injury. In just two short years, NASCAR regulations have undergone major changes, and this may ultimately work against Busch on Sunday.

GROUP B

STARTERS – Martin Truex Jr & Austin Dillon

Truex Jr may not boast the finest history in Fontana, but he continues to grow as an all-round driver under the wing of Furniture Row Racing, determined to prove that his place in last year’s final four at Homestead Miami was claimed on merit. The #78 driver also finished eighth in last year’s corresponding event.

Austin Dillon is proving more popular than usual ahead of a Fontana meet, and his consistency in the early races of this season has come as a pleasant surprise. Three finishes out of four in the top ten also indicates that the man from North Carolina could well be a dark horse once again this weekend.

RESERVE – Carl Edwards

Again there is the ever-present temptation to ‘max out’ on starters for Carl Edwards, and it is hard to ignore his rampant popularity ahead of Sunday’s race. However, as the old adage goes, good things come to those who wait.

GROUP C

STARTER – Ryan Blaney / RESERVE – Chase Elliott

Ryan Blaney is now the highest ranking Group C driver, and he is once again the most popular choice to lead the line in Group C.

The mania of cat #24’s legacy was waned with disquieting speed. After such a promising start, Elliott’s popularity has dived since crashing out of contention in his Daytona 500 bow. Until he is more experienced, Elliott will feature regularly in the reserves.

Regan Smith is set to be third-fiddle in Group C for the foreseeable future.

For the latest standings and statistics, visit Motorsport24.com

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