cota cup

It's just so tough to give any real concrete advice with same day qualifying. Like the Trucks and Xfinity race, I think it's best to target guys you think can give you at least 8-10 position difference points. There's enough laps in the Cup race (and we've seen very few cautions so far this weekend) to where targeting laps led and fastest laps could work. But with the way strategies and stage breaks work out, this can get really risky.

Here are some specific targets I have in mind heading into qualifying--

• Chase Elliott -- I think he's pretty clearly the best road course guy in the Series. I'll definitely want him if he carries any position difference upside. Four wins in the last five road course races -- and probably wins five in a row if he doesn't get pushed off track at Daytona this year.
• Kyle Busch -- He was dominant in the Xfinity race on Saturday and should have a great feel for track at this point.
• I love the range from $8,100 (Kurt Busch) up to $9,200 (William Byron). I'd feel great stacking a few of those guys who offer position difference upside. Kurt, Bowman, Blaney, Byron, Bell, Allmendinger -- I like them all if they have some position difference upside. This is the sweet spot.
• Chris Buescher and Chase Briscoe are my favorite under $7k plays -- pending starting spot of course. Both are very solid course racers and I'd look for a Top 15 finish.
• Rickey Stenhouse, Daniel Suarez, Ross Chastain and Michael McDowell are others to consider in the lower salary ranges.