Fantasy Sleepers and Value Picks – Phoenix Raceway (Camping World 500)

Erik Jones owns a 22.7 average finish so far in 2017.

Sleepers:

Kurt Busch: Kurt Busch had a battery issue at Las Vegas that cost him a top finishing position – placing 30th. Subtract last weekend. In his first two 2017 starts, he had one win at Daytona and a top 10 at Atlanta. Even with his poor finish at Vegas, Busch still sits 15th in fantasy points averaged per race. Since 2005, Kurt owns a driver rating of 98.3 at Phoenix – good for fourth amongst active drivers. He’s run 77.5% of his Phoenix laps in the top 15. In 28 starts in the desert, Busch has one win and 17 top 10s. KB41 is a sleeping giant.

Kasey Kahne: Let’s recap Kasey Kahne’s 2017 season so far shall we? In three races, Kahne has three top 15s, one top five and owns an average finish of 7.7. He owns an average place differential of +13.0 and has led seven laps. If that wasn’t good enough for owners, he sits 10th in fantasy points averaged per race. Kahne now heads to Phoenix where he has one win, five top fives and eight top 10s. He owns the average finish of 17.7 in the desert and has led 55 laps there. Kahne is a strong sleeper this week.

Ryan Blaney: We continue to push the gas pedal on Ryan Blaney this season. In his first three starts in 2017, Blaney has finishes of second (Daytona), 18th (Atlant a) and seventh (Las Vegas). His price across most leagues is almost a robbery at this point. He owns an average finish of 9.0 and an average place differential of +8.7. He’s even led two laps. It gets better... In two career races at Phoenix, Blaney has two top 10s. He is a bargain buy at the sleeper level this week. He sits ninth in fantasy points averaged per race.

Erik Jones: Erik Jones is slowly but surely becoming a strong sleeper pick. If you’re in season-long leagues, he could be the driver you pick with intentions to own for a long period of time at a bargain. He’s scored top 15s in his last two races and is averaging a 22.7 aver age finish through three races this season. Jones has raced in one MENCS race at Phoenix in his young career and finished 19th after starting seventh in the No. 20 Toyota. Jones has five XFINITY Series races at Phoenix and placed top-10 or better in each. 

Value Plays:

Paul Menard: Paul Menard has been considered a solid fantasy asset through three races this season. He’s finished top-25 or better in each start in 2017. He’s averaging a finish of 16.3, but owns an average place differential of +5.0 He’s affordable across most leagues and he currently sits 17th in fantasy points averaged per race. Menard has made 20 starts in the desert and owns an average finish of 21.4. He placed 10th in the fall race there in 2016, with a +10 place differential. His value is there for his price.

Ty Dillon: Ty Dillon has been a solid value play so far in 2017. He’s scored top-25 finishes in his last two starts and owns an average finish of 22.0 through three races. He currently sits 25th in fantasy points averaged per race and offers strong potential of positive place differential. He’s had positive place differential in his last two starts (+11 at Atlanta and +3 at Las Vegas). In this race last season with Stewart-Haas Racing, Dillon finished 15th after starting 28th. Dillon has a knack for getting to the front of the pack after starting in the back.

Michael McDowell: If you’re looking for a #FantasyNASCAR driver that can give you the bang for your buck, look no further than Michael McDowell. Through three races this season, McDowell currently sits 19th in fantasy points averaged per race. Given his salary, this is a value pick at its best. McDowell owns an average place differential of +7.3 and has an average finish of 20.7. McDowell is a perfect driver to fill in the back end of your lineup and actually brings value at that spot. He’s a solid buy-low candidate at Phoenix.

Cole Whitt: Cole Whitt is a strong value play this week at Phoenix. Through three races this season, Whitt has finishes of 18th (Daytona), 20th (Atlanta) and 28th (Las Vegas). He owns an average finish of 22.0 and an average place differential of +7.0. He is the perfect option for a high-dollar-starter lineup. Whitt currently sits 19th in fantasy points averaged per race and given his low asking price, Whitt is worth the gamble across every league at this point.