Last year, I didn’t write an article for the Rovel because I simply had no idea what to expect. This year I think we have a little better idea, but this is still a very risky race. I have gone through the same research process I go through for every race, and these are the plays I have come up with. That said, I would encourage you to take these picks with a grain of salt – this race is going to be so crazy. 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
Chase Elliott – Chase has had a weird weekend thus far, but by the time final practice it appeared he had it figured out. The Hendrick cars all look fast this weekend, thanks in part to a roster of solid road course drivers. Chase will start back in 19th, but seems to have found the sauce that his Hendrick squadmates have. If you look back at the 2018 Rovel race, you’ll see that Chase was top five in terms of driver rating, and I think he will be even better this year.
Kurt Busch – Remember we don’t have many laps to run on Sunday, so place differential is at a premium. Kurt Busch provides a tremendous amount of differential potential with a 23rd place starting spot. He is fast though, and he was top five the whole race in 2018. He should break into the top ten with a swiftness and compete for a win.
Kyle Busch – I honestly haven’t been blown away by KBs Rovel performance this week, or last year for that matter. However, there isn’t a single track on the circuit where he can start 17th and not be a top play. His average running position in 2018 was 9th, and we all know he will build on that number this time around. Kyle Busch should end up in the top five.
Kyle Larson – If I was setting odds for this race, this would be my favorites. Don’t forget, Larson was dominating this race last year before finding all sort of trouble. It looks like he hasnt missed a beat this year. He may not have been the fastest in any metric, but he looks very smooth and comfortable running this course. I expect Larson to lead a good portion of this race and compete for a win.
Fades
This race is too crazy to fade anyone.
Value Plays
Michael McDowell – Value is so hard to find this week, as there is just no information on who can outrun there equipment on this track. So lets fall back to what we know. We know McDowell is one of the best road course runners in the field, and we know he can run top 20 at the Rovel. There isn’t a lot to go on, but I trust McDowell at a $6000 price tag.
Matt DiBenedetto – Matty D is priced a little higher than I would have liked, but he has shown a marked improvement at road courses this year and that can’t be ignored. He has top five speed by some accounts, and if he can keep the nose clean a top 10 isnt out of the question.
Matt Tifft – Playing Tifft always makes me nervous, but he has finished top 30 in both road course races thus far in 2019, and should be able to replicate that here against a 36th place qualifying effort. If this thing dissolves into chaos, Tifft could even find himself in the top 20.
Parker Kligerman – I will call this Punt of the Week but this is a legit play. Kligerman is super solid on the road courses and this car by all accounts will run all the laps. This is one of the better value plays full stop.
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.