Welcome to the Monster Energy Cup Series Preview. This week we will be looking ahead to the Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway. If you are just finding the DFS Army and are not a VIP member sign up and use code LARKIN to save 20%!! Our DFS Army VIP members get access to the Domination Station and Research Station post qualifying. Also, VIP members get access to our VIP Slack and direct contact to the NASCAR coaches. Come join the best team in NASCAR DFS! You can follow myself Ryan Larkin on twitter @Larkin8
The Monster Energy Cup Series heads to the Tricky Triangle of Pocono Raceway. After the June race here and the complete lack of ability for cars to pass, NASCAR and Pocono have decided to add the PJ1 traction compound to all 3 corners of the track. My only expectation for this is that the outside line will become more of an advantage on restarts but once things get single file we will see the same Pocono as before. Since the start of stage racing the in race cautions has greatly drop and with this new 2019 aero rules package giving optimal grip I don’t expect much in terms of accidents. As always when there is a lack of cautions long run speed becomes vital. We will also see multiple strategies in terms of stage racing with teams around the playoff bubble staying out looking to maximize stage points. The drivers searching for wins or who are already locked into the playoffs will be more aggressive strategy wise trying to set themselves up for the win.
This week is another impound race so it will be best to make lineups post inspection the day of the race. If a team fails inspection their qualifying time will be disallowed and will be scored as starting from the rear.
Quick Facts
Date: July 28th
Practice 1: Saturday 9:05 am ET.
Practice 2: Saturday 11:05 am ET.
Qualifying: Saturday 4:05 pm ET.
Race: Sunday 2:00 pm ET.
Laps: 160 Stages: 50/100/160
Drivers: 40
Defending Champion: Kyle Busch
AVG. # of Cautions: 6 excluding stage breaks
AVG DNF’s: 5 per race
Lineup Building
Dominator / Top Tier
At only 160 laps Pocono doesn’t offer many dominator points. Lineups should feature 1 or 2 dominators at most. A 1 dominator lineup will need a strong #2 stud who will score decent dom points. Recent trends have seen one driver lead 80+ laps with a second driver leading 20-30 laps. This will come as no surprise but Kyle Busch and Martin Truex have absolutely dominated this track the last few years and based off their current form should be the favorites to do it again. The Gibbs and Penske cars are the clear favorites to run up front and with most of them securely in the playoffs I expect them to gamble on strategy setting up for a chance at the win.
The level of domination the DFSArmy has experienced this year in NASCAR has been unbelievable. The Army absolutely crushed the Coke 600 last week. Our VIP Slack was filled with winners thanks to the hard work of all the NASCAR coaches. If you aren’t already a part of the winning culture then sign up to become a VIP Member and use code LARKIN to save 20%!!
Mid to Low Tier
The best plays in this area will be determined by who has to start from the back for failing inspection. If we don’t end up with any of these drivers like the last couple impound races I would instantly start looking at the race here in June for information. There will be a slew of drivers in this group searching for stage points thus hurting their overall upside. While this isn’t the end of the world I am not a fan of playoff bubble drivers like Newman, Byron and Bowyer having to drive from deep in the field during the final stage on a track that offers little passing. This would greatly hurt their overall upside.
Punts
Hard to say avoid this group but realistically this race will be extremely difficult for the punt level teams to be successful. Out right speed will be king. A driver like Lajoie or Chastain who can out run the other punts will be the best plays but will only have the chance to pay off if several drivers have issues.
If you are looking for more information on what the Army offers it’s members check out this video on how to utilize our elite tools to better your DFS game!!
I will be giving my Fanduel Top Plays in a VIP article prior to the race.
I will also answer any questions you may have in the VIP Slack!
This will conclude this edition of The Monster Energy Cup Series Preview. If you would like to reach out and talk NASCAR Follow me on twitter @Larkin8 or of course Become a VIP member and join me as well as our other DFS Army NASCAR contributors (Brady Miller, Taco, and NillyJay) in the NASCAR coaching channels.