Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Preview: 2024 Food City 500

tháng 3 16, 2024

Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Preview: 2024 Food City 500

Farewell to Bristol Motor Speedway's dirt track, and hello again to the Food City 500.

This week, the NASCAR Cup Series contenders return to the high banks of the iconic Bristol Speedway for the first spring race on concrete since 2020. Known affectionately as The Last Great Colosseum and The World’s Fastest Half-Mile, this historic East Tennessee short track has seen its fair share of unforgettable moments over the years. Racing legends like Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Darrell Waltrip, and Kyle Busch have left their mark here, thrilling fans with their aggressive driving styles.

The key focus this week will be on tire management and car handling, a lesson Kevin Harvick learned the hard way last fall when struggles with his car's handling early in the race put him at a significant disadvantage. Despite his efforts, he was unable to recover and missed out on the playoffs in what turned out to be his final season.

Last week at Phoenix Raceway was tough for me. Very few of my selections worked out, and I missed out on all three of my recommended bets. However, as I always say, it's a new week, and there are opportunities to be seized and money to be earned.

Before I delve into my picks, let me quickly outline the rules.

On DraftKings, points are awarded based on finishing position, position differential, fastest laps, and laps led. The race winner earns 45 fantasy points, with the runner-up receiving 42 points, and the third-place finisher earning 41 points, continuing through the top 10. The 11th-place finisher receives 32 points, while the 21st-place finisher earns 21 points, and the 31st-place finisher receives 10 points.

Additionally, the number of positions gained or lost on the track is either added to or subtracted from the score. Furthermore, if a driver leads a lap, they earn 0.25 points for each lap led and 0.45 points for each fastest lap.

DraftKings NASCAR Scoring Rules

Here are my selections for the week. Bristol presents a formidable challenge for both the cars and the drivers navigating them. Achieving success at this track requires a delicate balance between aggression and finesse. I believe the following drivers exemplify these qualities:

Fantasy Picks

1. Denny Hamlin ($11,200)

Key stats: With 3 career wins at Bristol, Denny Hamlin boasts a career average finish of 13.9 at the track, having completed 95.8% of his laps there.

After a potential missed opportunity in Phoenix last week, Denny Hamlin is determined to make amends. Outside of Kyle Larson, few drivers command as much attention at Bristol as Hamlin. His track record speaks volumes, with three wins and 17 top-10 finishes in 33 starts. What's particularly impressive is his remarkably low number of DNFs, having only failed to finish twice in his extensive career. Hamlin is undoubtedly a frontrunner this week and is poised to be a top scorer in fantasy.

2. Chris Buescher ($9,800)

Key stats: Chris Buescher has 1 career win at Bristol and has secured 3 top-10 finishes in his last four starts at the track. He also recorded 86 fastest laps between last fall and the 2022 Bristol Night Race.

While Chris Buescher's 2024 season hasn't started as strongly as he may have hoped, RFK Racing displayed promising signs at Phoenix last weekend. I anticipate a continuation of this momentum into the upcoming race. Buescher's breakthrough victory at Bristol in 2022 remains fresh in memory, and he has maintained strong performances at the track since then, including a fourth-place finish last fall. Bristol stands out as one of his best tracks statistically, and his speed has been evident even before Brad Keselowski's involvement with Jack Roush's team. Expect to see the No. 17 car leading the pack and posting quick lap times come Sunday.

3. Chase Elliott ($8,300)

Key stats: With 1 career win at Bristol (2020 All-Star Race) and 3 top-10 finishes in his last four starts at the track, Chase Elliott maintains a career average finish of 11.9 at Bristol.

This team is just one breakthrough performance away from a turnaround, and Bristol could be the venue for it. Despite an unfortunate turn of events at Phoenix Raceway last week, where a late caution thwarted his chances of a top-10 finish, Bristol remains one of Elliott's strongest tracks. He has demonstrated a knack for staying competitive until the end here. It will be intriguing to see if the No. 9 car can contend for victory this week, but there's certainly potential for a season-defining moment. Elliott has expressed his fondness for Bristol, making a motivated and contented performance from him a possibility for significant returns this weekend.

4. Ty Gibbs ($8,000)

Key stats: Ty Gibbs secured a 5th-place finish at Bristol last fall and is riding the momentum of back-to-back top-five finishes at Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Ty Gibbs is finally showcasing the potential he's long been believed to possess, evident in his strong performance at Phoenix last week, where he surged into the top five after a dominant start. This recent momentum, coupled with his 5th-place finish at Bristol last fall, suggests that Gibbs and his team may have identified a winning formula. Despite his limited experience at Bristol, Gibbs' willingness to be assertive when the opportunity arises makes him a compelling choice.'

Key stats: With 4 top-15 finishes in his last five starts at Bristol and a total of 126 green flag passes in his last two races at the track.

Front Row Motorsports may have experienced a recent slowdown in momentum, but Michael McDowell could be the one to reignite it. While his overall track record at Bristol may not be stellar, recent performances have been encouraging, particularly with a career-best finish of sixth last fall. If McDowell and his team can replicate the qualifying speed they've demonstrated at larger tracks, it could bode well for a successful race day. Additionally, McDowell's ability to make 126 green flag passes in his last two races at Bristol could prove crucial in a circuit where passing opportunities are limited.

6. Ryan Preece ($5,900)

Key stats: With a career average finish of 15.5 at Bristol, Ryan Preece has never finished worse than 25th at the track.

Stewart-Haas Racing has been enjoying success this season, with strong performances from drivers like Noah Gragson and Chase Briscoe. Now, it's time for Ryan Preece to join the fray. Renowned as a short-track specialist during his days in the Modified Tour, Preece presents excellent value at his current price point. His track record at Bristol is commendable, with an average finish of 15.5 throughout his career, a notable feat given the challenging nature of the track. While he may be considered a dark horse, Preece has the potential to be the underdog that propels your team to victory in your fantasy leagues.

Prop Bets and Locks

Hamlin (+475) to win: As mentioned earlier, there's perhaps no safer bet than Hamlin on Sunday. The No. 11 team has demonstrated mastery of Bristol on concrete surfaces, making this recommendation the most reliable choice.

Kyle Busch (+450) to be the top finishing Chevrolet: Busch's prowess at Bristol is undeniable, with an impressive tally of eight career wins at the track. The odds for this wager are too tempting to pass up.

Ford (+240): Ford is still in pursuit of its first win, and with drivers like Keselowski and Buescher from the RFK Racing team, it's difficult to overlook them in this category. This week could very well be the moment when Ford secures victory for your betting slip.

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