2 years agoComing off of his first career win, Tyler Reddick will be starting in fourth place. Reddick has all of the momentum going into Atlanta Motor Speedway. Not only did Reddick get his first career win, but he locked himself into the playoffs after previously being below the cut line. With stats of one win, five top-fives and seven top-10 finishes, he is now in ninth place in the standings. In the spring race at Atlanta, Reddick finished in 28th place, but only because he was involved in a wreck. If Reddick were to win this race, he would be a contender in the playoffs as he starts to put it all together. Reddick should be worth a look on Sunday.--Maison MaerzSource: NASCAR

2 years agoKyle Larson will be starting in third place at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday. It's been safe to say Larson has taken a considerable step back from last season, as he had 10 wins to end the season. Larson's stats as of right now are one win, eight top-fives and 10 top-10s, which puts him in sixth place in the standings. However, Larson has only taken a step back in the wins department, as he's been racking up top-five finishes. In the spring race, Larson was involved in a crash and finished in 30th place. Hopefully, Larson can break through and get his second win of the season. Larson should be worth a look on Sunday.--Maison MaerzSource: NASCAR

2 years agoRoss Chastain will be starting on the front row in second place at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday. It's been safe to say Chastain has been having a breakout season, as he recorded his first career win this season, and he has been remarkably consistent. With two wins, nine top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes, Chastain is in second place in the standings. In the spring race at Atlanta, Chastain put together a runner-up finish. It is also important to point out that Chastain has made many enemies this season, so you always need to keep an eye on him to see if anything goes awry. Chastain is a great option on Sunday.--Maison MaerzSource: NASCAR

2 years agoThanks to qualifying getting rained out, Chase Elliott will be starting on the pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday. Elliott will be searching for his first win on his home track. His stats of two wins, four top-fives and 11 top-10 finishes will be good enough to put Elliott in first place in the standings with 624 points. In the spring race earlier this season, Elliott finished in sixth place, which is respectable. However, we all know Elliott will be searching for the win since he is starting on the pole. Elliott should be one of the favorites to bring home the checkered flag.--Maison MaerzSource: NASCAR

2 years agoKurt Busch and his 23XI Racing car handled great during the March race at Atlanta. He finished third after starting in ninth. For those wondering about last year, the elder Busch led 144 laps during the summer race. That was on his way to a dominant win where he finished second in stage one and won stage number two. Other than a DNF last March, Busch has finished in the top-ten at Atlanta seven times in his previous eight races. The fact that he starts 21st will help with place differential at a bare minimum. Even contending is quite likely. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoRicky Stenhouse Jr. does not have the results on the surface for the JTG Daugherty Racing team. Look closer into the numbers and even in his last two DNF's (accident and suspension), Stenhouse Jr. was running well. In March, the No. 47 Chevy led 22 laps. Also, he finished fourth in that first stage before that accident. The previous two runs before suspension issues sacked his July 2021 race went well. Stenhouse Jr. had a 12th and 13th place result. If he can handle that bouncing of the car and there is a bit more attrition, then Stenhouse Jr. may catch more than just a few eyes. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoKyle Busch has done everything lately but win at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He has three top-five results, and four top-ten's. The Joe Gibbs Racing car finished second last July while leading 91 laps in all. It is why the younger Busch is one to keep an eye on early. Even in March, the No. 18 Toyota led 21 laps before an accident claimed his car. Considering, he has finished in contention five straight times, few would be surprised if he made it six. Also, Busch even won a stage last July. If his car maintains late speed, Busch will be up near the front once more late on Sunday. That might be Monday, depending on the rain. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoJoey Logano has not finished better than ninth in his last five appearances at Atlanta. He has been close to the front, even leading 12 laps in March before falling back to ninth. The No. 22 Team Penske Ford does not have much in the way of stage finishes and has negative place differential the last four times out (-6,-9,-12, and -7). The fact that he starts 17th on Sunday negates that a little bit but his overall results do not inspire much hope either. This is typically not a track that Logano excels at. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoDenny Hamlin seems to contend more often than not at Atlanta. The problem is external and internal issues. He does have two top-five results and an average finish of 12.4. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver was running second after Stage 1 in March before an accident derailed his day. Last summer, Hamlin's car ran into trouble later in the race after being in the top-five throughout. It is more about finishing what Hamlin starts. If conditions are closer to March like, that benefits Hamlin. Again, the weather only increases the risk. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoChristopher Bell and his Joe Gibbs Racing car may not be the best idea for Sunday's race on the surface. However, Bell led 16 laps in March and was tenth after Stage 1 before issues plagued his race car. The summer race in 2021 showed that Bell was quite fast on the track as he finished eighth. With conditions being a bit of a blend of the last two races at Atlanta, maybe Bell has a better chance than expected. So many variables exist with the course along with the conditions. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoChase Briscoe is another driver in a strange sort of position for the Sunday race? Does the lack of practice and qualifying hurt or help the Ford driver? That remains to be seen for the Stewart-Haas racer. He starts 14th on Sunday and does have a couple of top-20's in three appearances. Briscoe even led five laps in this span. He might be able to do that on Sunday. In March, the No. 14 Ford was third after Stage 2 before problems impacted his car. He may hold position but could rise even if conditions are right. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoWilliam Byron has endured a mostly rough season in his Hendricks Motorsports car. On the other hand, Byron has won on this track (March of this year). Even during the summer race, Byron was well into the top ten before problems struck. With the possible weather conditions that might cool the track a little, this may benefit the No. 24 Chevy. Also in March, Byron showed that he could negotiate the Atlanta track quite well. He led 111 laps after all. While William Byron will not lead that many laps again, he expects to contend once more. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoMichael McDowell is normally good on super speedway tracks but this 1.54-mile Atlanta track is a little more of a hybrid. McDowell has not performed well here. The wildcard is the 60-70% chance of thunderstorms On Sunday. Now, McDowell starts 12th in his Front Row Motorsports Ford. The No. 34 car has an average finish outside the top 16 over the past five races at Atlanta Motor Speedway. If there are less cautions, McDowell's Ford may not have the late, closing speed to stay in the top-15. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoChris Buescher, due to NASCAR metrics, will start in 11th for Sunday afternoon's Quaker State 400. Thunderstorms sacked qualifying and practice yesterday and could be an issue with the race. The No. 17 Ford has three top-ten results on the track in his last five appearances. Now, this summer version of the race is a little different. Track temperatures could be quite hot. The RFK Racing driver has gone on record saying he likes the amplified 28 degree banking. How does the Next-Gen Car Ford do here? That's still a bit of an unknown. --Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com

2 years agoCole Custer will be the last car inside the top 10 as he starts in 10th place on Sunday at Road America. It is safe to say that Custer is having a horrible season, as he doesn't even have a top-10 finish to his name. Custer's only good stat this season is that he has one pole to his name. Custer has only led one single lap as well. He will be looking to change that as he starts in 10th, but keeping that spot won't be easy. Any finish inside the top 10 will be excellent for Custer, and a win would shock the world. Custer sits in 27th place in the standings, meaning he needs to win to make the playoffs for this season. Custer should not be on the fantasy radar.--Maison MaerzSource: NASCAR