Welcome to the Cup Series Setup for Fanduel. Here we will be breaking down the best plays for Fanduel purposes. My name is RyanLarkin88 and you can follow me @Larkin8 on twitter. This week the Cup Series is at Texas Motor Speedway. Be sure to check out the VIP Member Research Station and Domination Station to help create your lineups. Also, jump in the NASCAR VIP Slack as tons of info is being talked about all the time. If you are not a DFS Army VIP Member then sign up now and use promo code Xfinity for 20% of your subscription.
Top Tier Plays
Kurt Busch – As the 10th most expensive driver on the slate he just barely qualifies for the top tier. I like the value he provides at his price. Kurt’s average finish in the last five races is 6.6 and he starts 30th. With the position differential upside plus his finishing position potential Kurt is one of the best plays this week.
Kevin Harvick – Harvick has been amazing at Texas with 7 top 5s and 2 wins in his last 9 races. He starts 23rd so he offers differential upside, strong finishing position possibility and also has a shot at leading some laps. Harvick has had one of the fastest cars all year in terms of pure speed despite not finding victory lane yet in 2019. He is still on the expensive side at $14000 so finding the right value plays to pair with him will be important.
Brad Keselowski – Brad also sits at $14000 so there is some price concern but this is a driver who has a 1st, 2nd and 3rd in races which the 2019 aero package where in use. He starts 12th so a little position upside but more importantly he is a driver with the ability to lead laps and win. Keselowski was also 4th in 15 lap average during final practice so he has shown speed this week as well.
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Value Plays
Jimmie Johnson – Johnson sits on pole for the race which gives him a strong shot at leading laps early. He also posted the fastest 15 lap and 20 lap averages in final practice. Anytime a driver shows that much speed he should get some attention. There is some risk with him but I feel comfortable enough based off what we have seen so far that he could pay off at his price.
Aric Almirola – Almirola comes in at a solid $10500. He offers good position upside starting 21st especially considering he has finished inside the top 10 in the last five races this year. I like everything about Aric this week including the fact he posted the 5th best 15 lap average.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr – Everytime I say his name I get some form of mockery but he has finished 16th or better in 5 of the last 6 races at Texas. He also has finished 18th or better in 5 of the 6 races in 2019 including a 6th at Vegas using the new aero rules package. I am not saying he is an elite play but at $8400 he could offer great value with top 15 finishing ability. Should see low ownership as well which can also give some leverage over the rest of the field.
Alex Bowman – Bowman starts 24th so he offers some decent position upside. He finished 14th here at Texas last fall and has put together some decent runs this season. While I don’t see him getting into the top 10 I do believe he is another driver with top 15 finishing ability. He comes in at $8200 so he offers great value with solid upside. Of course unlike Stenhouse, Bowman will be much higher owned and won’t give as much of an edge on the rest of the field.
Punts
Ryan Preece – Preece’s price did move up to $5500 this week but that is still a relatively low cost for a driver who I believe could make his way into the top 20. Starting 27th he offers some position upside and is probably the most helpful driver when trying to pay for the high priced guys such as Keselowski and Harvick.
Matt Dibenedetto – Dibenedetto has showed solid speed at times and comes in at $6000. He starts 26th this week and is a strong contender for a top 15 finish. If he can do this he will be a must play.
This will conclude this edition of The Monster Energy Cup Series Setup for Fanduel. If you would like to reach out and talk NASCAR Follow me on twitter @Larkin8 or Become a VIP and join me as well as our other DFS Army NASCAR contributors (Brady Miller, Taco, and NillyJay) in the NASCAR coaching channels.