We are headed west to Las Vegas – who are we not to put a little money on the line? Las Vegas is the definition of a cookie cutter track but it always produces interesting slates. 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
Kevin Harvick – Don’t let the single lap speed fool you, Harvick is without a doubt one of the fastest cars at the track this week. He has tremendous long run speed and should power foward very quickly as tires begin to wear. The Fords have unexplainable speed thus far and we need to strike while the iron is hot. I see Harvick 35-40% owned.
Kyle Larson – Larson doesn’t just have short run speed – he has all around speed. He rolled the competition in today’s xFinity race and I expect more of the same come Sunday afternoon. He had a fantastic Las Vegas performance in 2017 and I think his car is even faster this time around. I think we will see him 30-35% owned.
Martin Truex Jr – The Toyotas haven’t have the advantage they had in 2017, but they are still very competitive. At the tip of that iceberg is defending Vegas champion MTJ. The 1.5 Mile king has great long run speed and has a way of dictating the pace of races when he gets out front. I believe if he gets out front, a big if, he will lead a BUNCH of laps.
Keselowski – Kes is a top ten machine at Las Vegas. He hasn’t shown a ton of speed so far this weekend, but has gotten faster and faster every day. I think he will end up in the top five and compete for a win when it’s all said a done. I don’t know how many laps he can lead, which makes this a little risky of a play as he starts 8th. I see him around 25% owned.
Fades
I know this may seem obvious – but I would advise avoiding Michael McDowell starting way up in 15th. I don’t think that car can’t keep up in the top 20.
Value
Aric Almirola – I guess that secret is out on Almirola – he can race. Almirola had a poor qualifying effort and will roll off 29th, but his car is much faster than that. Almirola was good at Vegas when he was in not so good equipment, I can’t wait to see what he can do in GOOD equipment. He will be highly owned, but I think eating the chalk is worth it. I love this play.
Ryan Newman – Another guy with some sneaky speed – Zoomin’ Newman rolls off 25th at one of his best race tracks. Newman showed at Atlanta that he can hang on the 1.5s, and honestly has been one of the faster Chevy’s in 2018. Another not so sneaky play, but a good play none the less.
Trevor Bayne – Starting one tick better than Newman, I think Bayne is a sneakier value play. Bayne was competitive here last year, and the Fords are faster now. I have questions about his long run speed and his survivability, but if you are looking to avoid the chalk, go with Bayne.
Cole Custer – OOOOOOOO I love it. Listen, I rarely suggest playing drivers making their Cup debuts but DAMN I just can’t help myself. Make no mistake – this is a Stewart Haas Racing car. The car itself is a top 15 car. The question is how quickly can Custer figure it out. I think Custer is an underrated prospect who will go underlooked and is underpriced. He starts 30th so there is a bit of a safety net. Play with caution…but play ;).
So there it is folks. Keep an eye on the DFS Army Slack Room right up until lock. Get 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. As always, use my research as a launching point for yours. Trust your process, good luck this week, and let’s make some cash.
