Fantasy Focus: Can Ryan Blaney Flip the Script at Darlington?
Darlington, SC – Heading into the Southern 500, fantasy players face a tantalizing dilemma: Ryan Blaney’s practice speed was elite, but the track itself hasn’t historically been kind to him. With all playoff drivers available for fantasy lineups, is this the week to take the gamble?
Practice Pace: Blaney’s Breakthrough Signal
In Saturday’s practice sessions, Blaney showed long-run speed that ranked near the very top of the field. His balance over extended laps suggests that the No. 12 Penske Ford is set up for consistent pace in the attrition-heavy Southern 500. At a track where tire wear defines the outcome, that kind of stability could be gold for fantasy points.
Darlington: A Statistical Weak Spot
Despite his pace this weekend, Blaney’s Darlington record is patchy:
Just two top-10 finishes in 11 Cup Series starts. An average finish of 18.4, making it one of his weaker tracks historically. However, earlier this season he nearly stole the win in the spring race, finishing runner-up in a race that turned heads and hinted at progress.
This mix of poor averages and recent improvement makes him a volatile—but intriguing—pick.
Fantasy Implications
With all playoff drivers available, lineup choices hinge on risk appetite:
The Case For Blaney: His long-run speed advantage in practice looks real, especially for stage points. Momentum from nearly winning in April can’t be ignored. Lower ownership in some fantasy pools could make him a differentiator pick. The Case Against Blaney: Track history suggests lurking risk of mid-pack results. If Penske misses pit strategy or adjustments, his upside may not be realized.
Final Lap
Ryan Blaney’s fantasy stock for Darlington sits at the crossroads of data vs. momentum. The practice charts scream “start him,” while career numbers whisper “proceed with caution.”
For players holding all playoff drivers, Blaney is a high-upside swing—not the safest play, but perhaps the one that could separate your lineup from the rest.
