The NASCARCup Series has arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway, marking the second superspeedway event in a row. EchoPark requires more strategic racing than typical draft-heavy tracks, making longshot wins less common, though still possible. When playing fantasy NASCAR, it’s crucial to consider all options.
Recent winners here since the repave, and in the NextGen era, feature Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and William Byron, each having won twice. As for a long shot winning, Daniel Suarez has done that. Meanwhile, weak finishers include Chase Briscoe and Ryan Preece. With our direction now guided, these are the best picks for fantasy NASCAR.
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Top Picks
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Feb 11, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) during practice for the Daytona 500. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images© Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
(© Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images)
Blaney is the favorite leading into this event at +1000 odds. He has an average starting position of 3.1 and an average finishing position of 10.9. Despite not winning in the NextGen era, Blaney has finished in the top 5 four times and in the top 10 six times. The Fords looked very solid at Daytona, so Team Penske is bound to have a good product back at EchoPark.
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The 2x winner at EchoPark looks to be stronger than ever in 2026. He nearly won the Daytona 500 last week and won Duel No. 2 last Thursday. The Hendrick’s cars are set to be led by Elliott, with two wins here in the NextGen era and four top-10 finishes. Elliott is also the best average finisher since 2022, being the only NASCAR racer with an average finish in the top 10 (9.1).
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Mid-Tier Picks
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Chastain may be on a tier two team, but Trackhouse fields winning racecars all the time. They looked just fine at Daytona, and now, they should thrive at EchoPark. Chastain has four top-10 finishes in the NextGen era at EchoPark, with an average finishing position of 14.1 despite an average starting position of 20.4. Only six full-time drivers average in the top 15 in this timeframe. If Chastain qualifies in the top 10, he can absolutely win this race. If not, he can honestly still win, just at longer odds.
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Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Busch won the pole at Daytona, and these Richard Childress Racing cars looked geared up in their superspeedway package. As Busch looks to find victory lane again in 2026, EchoPark provides a great opportunity with his success here in his post-Joe Gibbs Racing era.
Busch has the 4th best average finishing position since 2022 at EchoPark. It includes five top 10 finishes in eight races. He has also run the 5th most laps of any NASCAR racer in this timeframe, so Busch clearly knows how to run the right lines and stay out of the pit lane.
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Longshot Picks
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
Stenhouse Jr. is often hailed as a master of superspeedways. As he backed this up with a near-win at Daytona, he looks to find victory lane at EchoPark. Stenhouse Jr. has an average starting position beyond 28th place, yet his average finishing position is in the top 15 since 2022. In that eight-race timeframe, Stenhouse Jr. has reached the top 10 on four occasions. Do not be surprised to see this No. 47 car in the mix, especially if he qualifies in the top 20.
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Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Suarez won at EchoPark as a longshot for Trackhouse Racing. In 2026, he now races with Spire Motorsports, but many would consider the move more lateral than anything. Suarez has proven he can race very well here, with one win and five top-10 finishes in the eight-race NextGen era. In that time, he is also the 5th best in average finishing position at this track.
Fade Picks
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
His car is much better than he ever worked with at Stewart-Haas Racing. However, Briscoe has still lacked much to be desired at EchoPark. Briscoe has never had a top-10 finish at this track, averaging a finish outside the top 25 despite starting 10th.
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Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
It may sound crazy to fade Larson, but the statistics make it a legitimate move. He will be among the lower odds to win the race, but that will make him overvalued. Larson has had only one top-10 finish since 2022, and his average finishing position is poor at 24.9.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
