Bryan’s Fantasy NASCAR Picks for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA

Tyler Reddick (Main Driver) – #45 Toyota (23XI Racing)

✔ Why he’s in my lineup: I locked Reddick in for the season, and luckily, he’s actually great at road courses. He won last year’s COTA race and has proven to be one of the best in the field on these types of tracks.

✔ Why I like him at COTA: He’s got the aggression to make passes in the technical sections, but he’s also smart enough to not burn up his tires early.

✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Low (Barring a mechanical issue, Reddick is a top-5 threat here.)

Chase Elliott (#9 Chevrolet – Hendrick Motorsports)

✔ Why he’s in my lineup: The King of Road Courses. Elliott has seven career road course wins, and he won the inaugural COTA race in 2021.

✔ Why I like him at COTA: Hendrick Motorsports has always brought fast cars to road courses, and Elliott’s ability to manage braking zones, tire wear, and restarts makes him a safe fantasy pick.

✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Low (If you’re playing fantasy and don’t pick Elliott at COTA, what are you doing?)

Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet – Hendrick Motorsports)

✔ Why he’s in my lineup: Larson is just as dangerous as Elliott on road courses. He’s got wins at Sonoma and Watkins Glen and knows how to control a loose race car better than anyone.

✔ Why I like him at COTA: He might qualify on pole (he’s an excellent road course qualifier) and, if so, expect him to lead a ton of laps early.

✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (If he doesn’t overdrive the car, he’s a win contender.)

A.J. Allmendinger (#16 Chevrolet – Kaulig Racing)

✔ Why he’s in my lineup: If Chase Elliott is the King of Road Courses, A.J. Allmendinger is the Prince. He’s won in Cup, Xfinity, and IndyCar on road courses.

✔ Why I like him at COTA: Kaulig Racing builds their cars specifically for road courses, and Allmendinger’s experience means he knows how to make moves in the technical sections.

✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (He won’t win on raw speed, but he can pick up a sneaky top-10.)

Michael McDowell (#71 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports)

✔ Why he’s in my lineup: McDowell is an underrated road course driver. People forget he started in sports cars before NASCAR, meaning these tracks are his bread and butter.

✔ Why I like him at COTA: He’s not a flashy pick, but he’s had multiple top-10 finishes at places like Sonoma, Road America, and Watkins Glen.

✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (If his team nails the strategy, he could be a top-10 steal.)

Shane van Gisbergen (#88 Chevrolet – Trackhouse Racing)

✔ Why he’s in my lineup: SVG burst onto the NASCAR scene with a stunning debut victory at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, showcasing his exceptional road course talent. Now, as a full-time Cup Series driver in 2025, he’s eager to replicate that success at COTA.

✔ Why I like him at COTA: Van Gisbergen’s extensive background in Australian Supercars, where he clinched three championships, has honed his skills on diverse road courses. His adaptability and aggressive driving style make him a formidable contender on COTA’s technical layout.

✔ Fantasy Risk Level: Medium (While his road course prowess is undeniable, his limited experience in NASCAR’s Cup Series introduces some unpredictability.)

🏁 Final Thought: SVG’s impressive transition to NASCAR, combined with his road racing expertise, positions him as a potential high-reward pick for fantasy lineups at COTA.

✔ Fantasy Risk Level: High (He’s a gamble, but if he stays clean, he can surprise people.)