Hey there, race fans!
Bryan here—and after the superspeedway chaos of Talladega, it’s time to trade in the drafting packs and adrenaline spikes for something a little more… technical. We’re heading to the heart of Texas for the Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, and while it might not have the wildcard rep of Dega, this place still demands strategy, speed, and a cool head.
Texas is one of those tracks where history actually does matter. Some guys just get it right here year after year—and those are the ones I’m locking into my fantasy lineup this week. So grab your hat, buckle up, and let’s ride into this weekend’s picks.
Locked and Loaded: My Main Driver – Tyler Reddick
No change here—Tyler Reddick stays locked in as my season-long anchor.
He’s been strong across the board this year and is currently sitting 6th in the standings. He’s aggressive, he runs that high line beautifully, and he’s always a threat on worn-out tracks like Texas. If 23XI brings him a good piece (and they usually do), Reddick could absolutely score a top-five—or better—this weekend.
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: Reddick doesn’t need the perfect car—he just needs clean air and a long run to get in rhythm. If he gets both, watch out.
Top 12 Picks: The Ones I’m Banking On
William Byron (#24 – Hendrick Motorsports)
Byron is sitting pretty at the top of the standings with 389 points, and Texas has been one of his strongest tracks in the past. He’s got five top-five finishes already this season and leads the field in consistency. He won the spring race here back in 2023 and finished second in this race last year. Enough said.
Fantasy Risk Level: 🟢 Low
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: If you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” driver this week, Byron is your guy.
Kyle Larson (#5 – Hendrick Motorsports)
Second in points, two wins already, and over 500 laps led this season—Larson is back in form. He’s been so close to winning at Texas in the past (remember when he led 256 laps here in 2021?), and this might finally be the weekend he closes the deal.
Fantasy Risk Level: 🟡 Medium (just because of recent bad-luck wrecks)
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: If Larson doesn’t get caught up in someone else’s mess, he’s winning this race. Book it.
Outside the Top 12 Picks: My Texas Sleepers
Austin Cindric (#2 – Team Penske)
Cindric’s been sneaky-good at Texas. He’s got a 5th-place finish in 2021, a 3rd in 2022, and a 9th just last year. Not to mention he’s coming off a huge win at Talladega and seems to be riding a wave of momentum. This might be one of his better tracks on the schedule.
Fantasy Risk Level: 🟡 Medium
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: He’s not always a safe bet—but at Texas, he’s proven himself. I’m rolling the dice.
Daniel Suárez (#99 – Trackhouse Racing)
Suárez has quietly become a Texas top-10 machine. He finished 5th in 2022, 8th in 2023, and 9th again last year. His average finish over his last three races here is around 8.7—which makes him a total sleeper steal if your league’s ignoring him.
Fantasy Risk Level: 🟡 Medium
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: Not flashy, but crazy efficient. Suárez is the fantasy version of that dependable wrench you always keep in your glovebox.
Justin Haley (#7 – Spire Motorsports)
Haley might not be a name that jumps off the page, but don’t overlook him here. He scored a 3rd-place finish at Texas in 2022 and backed it up with another top-15 last season. If you’re in a deep league or just looking for a bold sleeper, this could be your guy.
Fantasy Risk Level: 🔴 High
Bryan’s Bonus Tip: Boom-or-bust pick. But if he booms, you’ll look like a genius.
Final Thoughts: Time to Tame Texas
After Talladega’s demolition derby vibes, Texas is a welcome shift back to tire management, aero balance, and clean racing—at least for a little while. I’ve built this week’s lineup around track history, current momentum, and a few strategic risks that could really pay off.
We’re heading into the meat of the season, and now’s the time to stack those points before the playoff push. I’ll be back after the race with a full recap (and probably a few “what could’ve been” moments), but for now, good luck with your lineups—and don’t forget to double-check those qualifying results before you hit submit.
Catch you after the checkered flag,
– Bryan
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