RADIO
Welcome to one of the most exciting weeks in NASCAR and DFS NASCAR. The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race of the year, and it's a big bet that the drivers will need some heavy hydration after the challenging circumstances they will face. Even though no fans will be in attendance, NASCAR is starting to show us that it can still give us one hell of a show in our living rooms.
Aside from the entertainment factor, the DFS strategy has to be slightly tweaked when NASCAR runs this race. It's going to be important to take in historical data, but also take a closer look at how strong a driver's pit crew is. Race strategy is always important, but it's STUPID important for this long of a race.
Another important thing to note is that unlike the last two NASCAR Cup Series races, the drivers will actually be qualifying for this race. On Sunday at 1 PM ET, the drivers will hit the track to compete for starting position, and shortly after I will be adding notes to each of my picks to give you updated takes (please for the love of god don't forget to check these before setting your lineups). We are riding the hot hand thus far since racing's return, and I expect to see the RotoBaller Racing Gang (and Garage Fam) stack bands, and bag tourneys on Sunday!
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DFS Lineup Picks - DraftKings, FanDuel
Be sure to also check out all of our other weekly NASCAR DFS articles and analysis to help you set your optimal DFS lineups, including my weekly YouTube video:
Kevin Harvick #4 (DraftKings $11,200 | FanDuel $12,500 | DK SportsBook +650)
This past week on Episode 164 of the Garage Guys Fantasy Sports Podcast, Drew, Randy The Plumber, and I all agreed that Harvick cannot be counted out of your lineups until we see a strong decline. He's cheaper than Kyle Busch (who is always a good pick at Charlotte, but we gotta conserve that budget this week) this week, and has been absolutely electric in the past two races. Harvick's history has been a bit rocky at Charlotte in recent years, but the oddsmakers are seeing things the way I am this week.
Update: Harvick will be starting from P22, giving him a big opportunity for place differential. SHR driver Aric Almirola should also be considered starting from P40.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr #47 (DraftKings $7,400 | FanDuel $6,600 | DK SportsBook +10000)
Storybook Stenhouse wont be telling the average story this Sunday, and I'm willing to bet some Nacho Fries on it. Stenhouse Jr. has averaged roughly 31 FPTS in the last two races at this track, and finished both of them inside the Top 10. He's one of the best plays in his price range, and if he's running inside the Top 5 with less than 15 laps to go, he could have a shot at getting the victory and putting a lot of money in your pocket.
Update: Stenhouse Jr. will start from P17, and Is still one of my favorites on the slate.
Jimmie Johnson #48 (DraftKings $9,200 | FanDuel $10,700 | DK SportsBook +1600)
Johnson has had plenty of experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the course of his career, and winning this race would be a huge moment in his retirement year. Johnson's production has dwindled over the past few years, but at this track it's like nothing ever changed. Johnson has finished inside the Top 10 in five out of the last six races at Charlotte, and has an average of 36.5 FPTS.
Update: Johnson rolls off P2, and I'm not as heavy on him now with Kurt Busch being on the pole. Chase Elliott should be the Hendrick dominator early on.
Corey LaJoie #32 (DraftKings $5,400 | FanDuel $3,500 | DK SportsBook +75000)
LaJoie isn't a driver you'd expect to win this race by any means (but hey it could happen...maybe), but having a guy that is the value driver king of place differential is a must. LaJoie has one Top 15 finish at this track in the past two races, but with a 10.2 average place differential, I want all the LaJoie I can get. As long as he qualifies towards the rear, he'll be a lock for me at Charlotte.
Update: LaJoie starts from P24. I wish he was starting further back, and now other drivers like Timmy Hill, and Michael McDowell are now in my sights.
Martin Truex Jr. #19 (DraftKings $10,600 | FanDuel $13,700 | DK SportsBook +600)
Truex Jr. has one of the more impressive records at Charlotte Motor Speedway. With three wins at this track since 2016, He obviously has the lay of the land on lock. Truex Jr. should easily take you to Top 5 City on Sunday, and there's really nothing else that needs to be said.
Update: Truex Jr. rolls off from P8, so he's still a lock no matter what.
Matt Kenseth #42 (DraftKings $7,700 | FanDuel $8,000 | DK SportsBook +4000)
I'm doubling down on Kenseth going into Charlotte based on him holding his own well at Darlington, and his record at this track in years past. Between 2016 and 2017, Kenseth had three Top 10's and an average of 20 FPTS. It all depends on how he does in qualifying, but if he's behind 15th, he should be factored into your lineups.
Update: Since Aric Almirola pulled the back boy special, Kenseth doesn't appeal to me as much anymore. Kenseth starts from P4.
Alex Bowman #88 (DraftKings $9,400 | FanDuel $12,000 | DK SportsBook +1000)
Right now, Bowman is on one like Drake was back in 2017. The Hendrick driver has found his groove, and despite previous records at Cup Series tracks, you almost have to put the data on the back burner (but ill still give it to you guys). Bowman's averages 33.5 FPTS in Charlotte, and has two Top 10's in the last two races.
Update: I'm loving Bowman from P12 in this race. I'll be using him more where I originally ranked Jimmie Johnson.
Chase Elliott #9 (DraftKings $9,700 | FanDuel $11,500 | DK SportsBook +750)
Finally we get to the man who had one of the most impressive runs I've seen all year thus far. Elliott is still simmering down from Wednesday night at Darlington, and he's not the kinda guy that cracks under pressure. I fully expect Elliott to bring it to another level on Sunday night, adding to his already great record at Charlotte ( 38 FPTS on average, and 7,5 average finish).
Update: Elliott starting from P3 just screams "Early Laps Led". Nothing else to add.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase and subscribe to the Garage Guys Fantasy Sports Podcast for Fantasy NASCAR and Fantasy Football talk. Good luck RotoBallers!
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