The lights are on and PJ1 is layed down and we are prepped for one of the best races of the year. Short and sweet like Bristol itself, lets hop right in. To start, make sure you check you my primer article “The Competition Caution” . As always, the research is just getting started, so think about getting signed up and get exclusive access to our projection model, the domination station lineup optimizer, and most importantly, direct chat room access to some of the sharpest NASCAR minds in the industry. I will be on there all weekend updating everyone on my research.
Top Plays
Kyle Busch – KB is blistering fast this weekend, showing off top 3 speed on the long run, of which I think there will be many. He was a good play before qualifying, and he’s a great play after. During the second round of qualifying, it seemed as if their air pressures were just a tad off, and Kyle was bottoming out through three and four. This resulted in first place car starting 18th. Not to worry though, KB has been shredding through fields all week – winning both the truck and xfinity race even after being sent to the back in both races. His form at Bristol isn’t great, but his history as a whole is. He is the safest play of the week, and he is the most likely to win this race too.
Kevin Harvick – The entire SHR camp botched their qualifying effort, but showed decent speed in race trim. Harvick comes in boasting four top tens in a row at Bristol. The real kicker is his 29th place starting spot. If Harv can stay out of trouble, he will be in the optimal no doubt. He is a great low risk play, but he will be extremely chalky.
Matt Kenseth – It seems like everyone is looking at Kenseth as a potential winner this week – and for good reason. He is one of the best Bristol drivers in the field, and almost always either wrecks or finishes top 5. He starts fifth, and will lead the charge for the Toyota’s. If the Toyota’s are going back to dominance this week, and I am pretty sure they are, Kenseth will get to the front first. He has top 3 speed and I really believe he will dominate a part of this race before competing for a win.
Jimmie Johnson – The spring race winner seemed like a non factor during first practice, but showed some real long run prowess in second practice. He single lap speed is abysmal, and is starting 21st as such. However he has top 5 ten lap speed, and we know just how good he can be at Bristol. I don’t think he will dominate, so he needs to grab a top five to be relevant. I think he has a good shot though – but dont go overboard.
Fades
Kasey Kahne is starting third, and hasn’t had a top ten at Bristol since spring of 2014. I don’t think he has domiantor top speed, and has been a magnet for trouble at Bristol. I will be avoiding him.
Value Plays
Ricky Stenhouse Jr – The worst kept secret in motorsports, Stenhouse somehow transforms into an elite finisher at Bristol. His driver rating doesn’t exactly tell that story, and starting 14th doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. Regardless, Stenhouse’s incredible prowess on this half miler is hard to ignore, considering he can compete for a top 7.
Matt Dibenedetto – Speaking of great Bristol prowess, DiBuritto has been a straight sneaky assassin on Bristol, racking up top 20s and even top 10s in cars that have no business in the top 30. He starts 34th, but showed top 25 speed throughout all the practices. I will serving up a healthy dose of Burrito this week.
Aric Almirola – Almirola thinks he has top 10 speed in race trim, I dont buy that…but he is quick. He starts 28th, so it is a relatively safe play. His Bristol history is good enough, and he really needs a good run to get back to form. I have enough confidence in him to roll him out at a pretty high clip tonight.
Dale Jr. – I…uh…um…I don’t know. Just…make your own decision.
So there it is folks. Lots of options this week, and with 500 laps, there will be a couple dominators at least. Keep an eye on the DFS Army Slack Room right up until lock. Get signed upand get exclusive access to our projection model, the domination station lineup optimizer, and most importantly, direct chat room access to some of the sharpest NASCAR minds in the industry.As always, use my research as a launching point for yours. Trust your process, good luck this week, and let’s make some cash.