We are headed to Pennsylvania this weekend to tame the tricky triangle. 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 – For the millionth time in a row, Harvick is the car to beat once again this weekend. He rolls off second, but he is a step ahead of Blaney and should get by him pretty quickly. In his last three tries at Pocono, Harvick has finished 2, 2 and 4th. After a disappointing Coke 600, I look for him to bounce back strong and dominate this race.
Aric Almirola – Pocono has never been a great track for Almirola, but he starts 34th with a top ten car. Almirola has shown he can hang with the big boys in that number 10 car, and should have no problem dicing through this field by the end of stage two. He won’t dominate, but if things get funky he could compete for a win.
Kyle Larson – Starting 13th, Larson looks to have a top 3 car, and possibly the fastest car on the long run. Pocono isn’t his bread and butter, but he certainly knows his way around this race. I don’t think he has the raw speed of Harvick, but long an infamous Pocono long run should serve him well. Look for him to compete for a top 3 pretty easily.
Ryan Blaney – Blaney admitted himself that they aren’t as good as Harvick. However, Pocono has been good to him in the past, and I legitmatly think he is the second best car at the track this weekend. This play only really works if you think he can stay ahead of Harvick at the start, so be careful.
Honorable Mentions
There is a lot of drivers in play this weekend, and while I think the four mentioned above are the best – I have to mention Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch as well. Pocono is a GREAT track for Brad K, who starts back in 17th. Look for him charge forward and compete for a top five. As for Busch, it’s just a matter if he can keep up with Harvick. Erik Jones is a great play too.
Value Plays
Michael McDowell – This is actually one of my favorite plays of the week. Pocono has been great to Mcdowell over the years, thanks mostly to his flat track prowess. He starts 30th and can legitimately compete for a top 20th. An easy play for me.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – Stenhouse as emerged as a B+ type driver in 2018, but he is still priced like a C driver. While he usually qualifies to well to consider, that is not the case this weekend. Stenhouse will roll of 23rd, but showed top 20 speed in practice. I think they will probably compete for a top 15 by the end of the day.
Matt Kenseth – Kenseth’s short 2018 campaign has been a bit of a stinker so far, but I am not ready to give up on him yet. There is no one better than Kenseth at survive races, and that alone makes him playable every week. Tie in the fact that he starts 26th, and has good long run speed – I am going to be sprinkle in some Kenseth this weekend.
Gray Gaulding – Gaulding usually does pretty well on big open tracks like this. If the equipment holds up, I think he can land in the top 30. A quality punt of the week candidate.
So there it is folks. We will be talking more strategy 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.