Speedweeks continues in Daytona this week with the Duels at Daytona which are the qualifying races to set the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. Typically when we have a race on a superspeedway, we target back markers and just wait for the wrecks to happen. However this is a different type of race(s). These cars are the ones they have prepared and are using for the Daytona 500. These races tend to be a little more tame and less action compared to carnage we saw in Busch Clash. Draftkings has a slate for each race and each duel has some very intriguing options. The key in theses races is to target some place differential options but also try to predict who can possibly lead and win each duel. I’ll split up my driver recommendations to three per duel and as always I am available to answer questions on twitter @davidjr831 or in our Nascar Discord.
DUEL #1
Brad Keselowski
Brad starts 12th in the first duel and is a solid place differential option. We saw last year that even though these races can be tame, things can still happen and Brad was one of those victims last year. However Brad has a couple advantages going his way in this duel. I already mentioned his starting spot, but starting right behind him is his teammate Ryan Blaney. Also in this duel is Joey Logano starting 6th, another teammate. These factors bode well for them to team up and try to move towards the front together. Brad had a great car in the clash and is always a factor to try to get to the front and not play it safe.
Ryan Blaney
As I mentioned above Ryan starts right behind Brad in 14th. He is another solid place differential option for the first Duel. Ryan won a Duel race in 2018 and has shown his ability to do well at superspeedways including a 6th place finish in the Duel last season. Ryan will work with his teammates and will stick out as a safe option for cash an gpps Thursday.
Bubba Wallace
Bubba starts 17th in the duel, the same position he started in last years duel. Last year, he finished 6th. A result like that is huge in these Duels due to the place differential points it provides in these calmer races. Bubba has a 2nd place finish here in the Daytona 500 two years ago. He has no qualms about making moves and trying to get to the front. Bubba always feels risky however you need to find those place differential drivers in these types of races.
DUEL #2
Kurt Busch/Kyle Larson
I feel like this Duel will be a little more chalky as the good place differential options are obvious here. This Duel has a lot of underfunded teams in it who will play it real safe. With that being said, I think these two are the best options in this duel. Not only do they start 10th/11th but they are also teammates(see a pattern in this write up?) I think if these two can get 4-6 place differential points barring an accident they could be the drivers with the most place differential in this race.
Ty Dillon
In Ty’s last 4 duels, he has finished 10th, 11th, 9th and 5th. Last season in the two regular Cup races at Daytona he finished 6th and 4th. I guess what I’m saying is that Ty is a great value play Thursday. Unlike other superspeedway races we actually have to worry about salary as we are using some of the higher salary drivers. Ty starts 15th and should be popular play for his upside.
I have a dance at my daughters school on Thursday night so my availability will be limited near lock. This is why I wanted to get this article out as early as possible and will have my cores posted for the Nascar Core Subscribers by Wednesday evening. If you have any questions please feel free to message me asap and I will get back to you as quick as I can. We had a good day in the Clash, lets keep it going Thursday!
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