RADIO
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads to Bristol for some dirt track racing.
In the weirdest race on the circuit, Bristol Motor Speedway has been covered in dirt and clay, creating one of the fastest dirt tracks ever. The Cup and Truck Series will both be racing on it this weekend. Last year, Martin Truex Jr. won the inaugural Truck Series race here, leading 105 of 150 laps.
Here at RotoBaller, we want to help you make informed decisions about your DFS lineups, which is why I'll be breaking down the slates for the Truck Series. Let's look at some NASCAR Truck Series DFS lineup picks for the Pinty's Dirt Race on DraftKings. Be sure to also check out our NASCAR Premium Tools for Truck Series including our DFS Lineup Optimizer and powerful Research Station.
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Post-Qualifying Update
Normally, I'd have a post-qualifying update. But with how the dirt race works, I'm really not sure if I'll be able to or not. Check back pre-race to see if I've got some additional thoughts, but I can't guarantee it like I can most weeks.
Update: Okay, I had time.
How The Top-Priced Drivers Have Done At Bristol Dirt
Five drivers are priced at $10,000 or more:
Joey Logano ($10,900): Well, Logano won the only Cup Series race run here, leading 61 of the 253 laps last year. He was fastest in Truck Series final practice on Friday, running the only lap with an average speed of 91 miles per hour. And he was seventh in Cup final practice. So, this is your favorite.
Chase Elliott ($10,700): Elliott worries me a little. He struggled in Cup practice. He was seventh in Truck Series final practice, but will that translate to race day? I think he's someone who could end up being overused in lineups on Saturday.
Stewart Friesen ($10,400): The veteran dirt tracker in this field, Friesen was fastest in the first practice and is looing to avenge a 12th-place finish here last year. He had three top fives, including a win, in four Truck starts at Eldora, so he knows how to contend in this series on the dirt. Not quite as much of a favorite as Logano, but a good pick to anchor your lineups.
Zane Smith ($10,200): Off to a strong start to this season, Smith was seventh here last season, while the 38 truck that he now drives was fourth with Todd Gilliland driving. 12th in the first practice and 29th in the second practice, which definitely worries me though, so I probably won't play him if he starts in the top 10.
John Hunter Nemechek ($10,000): Crashed after earning the pole last year here, finishing 39th. 19th in the first practice. 24th in the second practice. At this price, I'll likely look elsewhere when putting together my lineups.
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Mid-Price NASCAR DFS Options
Here are some drivers to keep an eye on between $7,000 and $10,000.
Buddy Kofoid ($9,300): This will be Kofoid's Truck debut, but he's already a star in dirt racing, including winning last year's USAC National Midget Series title. He's in a Kyle Busch Motorsports truck this week and was fourth in the final practice. The lack of experience in this series is a concern, but Kofoid should be a contender for a top 10 on Saturday, with the upside for more.
Matt Crafton ($8,900): Matt Crafton is just incredibly solid on dirt. Seven Eldora starts resulted in seven Eldora top 10s. One Knoxville start has resulted in one Knoxville top 10. His worst dirt showing was the first Bristol dirt race, when he finished 14th. Crafton's a reliable pick on Saturday.
Kaz Grala ($7,900): Grala is the kind of driver who can jump into anything and run well. He hasn't been super quick yet this weekend, but he did win an Eldora heat race in 2017 in the Truck Series before crashing out of the main race, so there's at least some track record of Grala doing well on dirt in this series. Could wind up as a nice place differential play.
Ty Majeski ($7,700): Majeski was sixth in the first practice and eighth in the second practice. Known more for his short-track prowess than anything else, Majeski seems to be adjusting well to the dirt at Bristol.
Mike Marlar ($7,100): Marlar was 14th in the first practice. A dirt veteran, he finished fourth in 2019 at Eldora and then 28th here last year, which was still 10 spots above where he started. He might be priced too high, but if he winds up starting far enough back, I'll play some for the place differential.
Hailee Deegan ($7,000): Deegan was 10th in the first practice, but got into the wall and has to go to a backup truck. Hopefully the backup has the same kind of speed. Deegan has shown speed in the Truck Series on dirt, like when she started in the top five last year at Knoxville. Can she put together a full race?
Potential NASCAR DFS Sleeper Picks
Let's look at some potential plays for under $7,000.
Tanner Gray ($6,800): Gray is off to a stellar start to this season, with more top 10s already than he had in 2021. He sits fifth in points and seems to have figured things out. He was ninth in the first practice and 16th in the second practice.
Colby Howard ($6,300): Howard came on strong in the final practice, posting the 13th-fastest time. His average finish this year is only 26.4, but he's had some bad luck, crashing in the first two races. He's coming off his first top 20 at Martinsville and seems to be trending up after consecutive lead lap finishes.
Dean Thompson ($5,400): Thompson had the 14th-best consecutive 10-lap average in final practice. Niece has struggled this year, but both Thompson and teammate Lawless Alan showed some practice speed and could be nice value plays on Saturday.
Tate Fogleman ($5,200): In final practice, Fogleman had the sixth-best consecutive 10-lap average and the 11th-fastest individual lap. Considering he finished ninth at Knoxville last year, there might be something going on here. I expect to have a lot of Fogleman rostered.
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