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Fantasy NASCAR Picks for the 2025 Jack Link’s 500: My Best Bets, Sleepers & Strategy for Talladega

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Hey there, race fans!
Bryan here, back with this week’s fantasy NASCAR picks—and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like trying to predict what’s going to happen at Talladega.

Superspeedway racing is like playing chess on a rollercoaster. You can have the fastest car, the best drafting partners, the perfect strategy… and still wind up in the wall because someone sneezed wrong three rows ahead of you.

But hey, that’s part of the fun!

The Jack Link’s 500 is coming up this Sunday, and I’ve built my lineup to survive the chaos, thrive in the draft, and (hopefully) cash in big if things break our way. Here’s who I’m rolling with this week:

Locked and Loaded: My Main Driver – Tyler Reddick

Once again, no surprises here—Tyler Reddick is locked in as my main driver for the season.
Sitting 7th in the standings, Reddick has had a quietly strong year so far. While Talladega hasn’t exactly been his playground in the past, he’s aggressive when he needs to be and isn’t afraid to stick his nose where others lift. With the right drafting help, he could absolutely sneak into a top-five—or better.

Bryan’s Bonus Tip: Reddick’s been strong at surviving long runs this season. That skill is priceless when Talladega turns into a survival game.

Top 12 Picks: The Big Dogs I’m Backing

Ryan Blaney (#12 – Team Penske)

Blaney is basically a Talladega wizard at this point. Three wins here already and a nose for being in the right place at the right time. He’s one of the few drivers you can consistently trust at Dega, and with Penske power behind him, he’s always got friends in the draft.

Fantasy Risk Level: Low
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: If there’s a late-race restart (and there will be), Blaney’s the guy you want sitting on the front row.

William Byron (#24 – Hendrick Motorsports)

Byron’s been the guy this year—leading the points, running up front everywhere, and already proving he can win big races (hello, Daytona 500!). He’s not always the flashiest superspeedway driver, but he’s smart, patient, and knows when to strike.

Fantasy Risk Level: Medium
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: Byron’s best weapon is clean racing. If he keeps the fenders straight, he’s a top-5 threat.

Outside the Top 12 Picks: Rollin’ the Dice on These Sleepers

Chase Briscoe (#19– Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

Briscoe has been grinding all year, hanging right outside the Top 12. Superspeedways can reward that gritty, determined style—and Talladega’s been kind to him in the past with some sneaky top-10 finishes.

Fantasy Risk Level: Medium
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: Briscoe’s best runs come when the race turns messy. He’s your “chaos is coming” insurance policy.

Ryan Preece (#60 – RFK Racing)

Preece doesn’t always get the spotlight, but he’s got the skills to survive the draft and make moves late. He’s sitting 14th in points for a reason—steady hands, good instincts, and a knack for avoiding trouble.

Fantasy Risk Level: Medium
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: Preece is the perfect plug-and-play if you want someone who won’t overdrive early and can capitalize on others’ mistakes.

Kyle Busch (#8 – Richard Childress Racing)

Rowdy is always a wildcard at Talladega. He’s either riding at the front with a shot to win, or…well, he’s finding a creative new way to end up sideways. But when he’s on, he’s still one of the best at working the pack.

Fantasy Risk Level: High
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: If you’re playing catch-up in your pool, Busch is exactly the kind of high-risk, high-reward pick you need to shake things up.

Final Thoughts: Hoping to Dodge the Big One

Picking for Talladega is like filling out a March Madness bracket—you can do all the research in the world, and one weird bounce changes everything. That’s why I’m stacking my lineup with a blend of proven superspeedway performers and smart, low-key grinders who can sneak into the top 10 when everyone else wipes out.

As always, my advice?

  • Pray for patience.

  • Hope your drivers find friends in the draft.

  • And remember: sometimes just surviving Talladega is the biggest win of all.

I’ll be back after the race with a full recap of how our picks did—and knowing Talladega, we’ll have plenty to talk about. 😂

Good luck this week, race fans—and may your fantasy points survive the storm!

Catch you after the checkered flag,
– Bryan

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Bryan
"🏁 Cruising the fast lane for over a decade at DrivingOnMarbles.com! 🚗 Passionate about all things NASCAR and dedicated to connecting fellow fans. Gear up and join the race with me! 🏎️💨 #10YearsAndCounting"