It’s Bristol, baby! We are running a little late so I will keep things short and sweet, much like Bristol itself. Ba-dum-tss. 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 – It hasn’t been a great weekend for Kyle Busch. He had a forgettable qualifying session, and was dominating the xFinity race before blowing an engine. But its a new day and a 31st place starting spot is just irresistible for the defending race winner. Kyle should have no trouble getting to the front inside the first stage. There is no doubt he leads some laps and competes for a win, assuming he can keep the fenders clean all night.
Kevin Harvick – This may be a bit of a controversial pick, but despite not topping any of the speed charts in practice, Harvick has impressed me most this weekend. He has great form on both lanes and most importantly, has consistent speed throughout the run. He doesn’t have superb short or long run speed, but has great overall speed. He is in great form after a win last week, and I think he will compete for a win tonight.
Jimmie Johnson – At $7000 Jimmie Johnson is pretty much a lock, as he will roll off 30th. He is still a top 10 driver at Bristol, and finishes as such more often than not. This is an easy play.
Kyle Larson – Given how quickly laps click off at Bristol, it is imperative that you find the earlier dominator and get them into your line up. I think Larson is that guy. He is much faster than Hamlin on the long run, and assuming he can stay in front of Martin Truex Jr off the start, I think he blows by Denny Hamlin and leads a lot of laps to start this race. Bristol is one of his best tracks, and I anticipate he wont leave the top five most the night.
Worth Mentioning
Martin Truex Jr and Joey Logano are both worth a look, too.
Value Plays
Paul Menard – Menard didn’t run too many laps in practice, so it is hard to know exactly where he is speed wise (though it appears he is around a 25th place car). However, his reserved driving style serves him very well at Bristol, and he is very capable of turning this 25th place starting spot into a top 15.
Chirs Buescher – Buescher rolls off 29th but showed pretty consistent top 15 speed across all metrics. He is a great short track racer, but Bristol has been tough on him at times. I think he can compete for a top 15 here regardless, with a small chance of dipping into the top 10.
Ty Dillon/Bubba Wallace – This is a coin flip for me. Similar equipment, similar starting spots, similar speeds, similar track history. I think you can work either (or both) these guys into your lineup and expect decent production.
Ross Chastain – Bristol can be a wreckfest, and that means any of the back markers can end up in the top 25 by default. Chastain represents may favorite play of the sub $6000 gang – but any of them can get a look. Don’t play any RWR cars though (JJ Yeley, Josh Bilicki, Kyle Weatherman, BJ McLeod), they tend to not finish races.
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.