This weekend the Cup series heads to the infamous Indianapolis Motor Speedway for what is known by most as the Brickyard 400 but is actually called the Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400. Indy is a unique track so there aren’t many tracks that we can use to compare data too. However the one track that does compare well is Pocono and that’s where the Cup series was last week. This week will be about nailing the dominators which will probably fall right around 2. We have some good place differential options this week and Draftkings has priced Christopher Bell up as the highest salary driver with him starting 35th. The decision to play Bell or not play Bell will dramatically affect your lineup construction and strategy. We also learned on Friday that Jimmie Johnson won’t be racing this weekend as he tested positive for Covid-19. Allgaier will replace Johnson this weekend as Jimmie and his wife recover from it and hope to see him back racing soon.
Kevin Harvick (DK $11,000 FD $14,200)
As I mentioned above, Indy compares well to Pocono. We saw just how good Harvick was last week at Pocono finishing 1st and 2nd in the two races there last week. Harvick won this race last season and has not finished outside the top 10 in the last six races here. He has shown great speed all season and especially after the lay off. I know I mention it a lot with Harvick but he has seemed to unload almost every week with a set up that works or they are able to adjust quickly to get him up to the front.
Denny Hamlin (DK $10,100 FD $13,700)
If I am going to mention Harvick after his performance last weekend then I also have to mention Hamlin. He finished 2nd and 1st last weekend at Pocono. He has four top 5 finishes and a 6th place finish in the last six races here. He has never won at the Brickyard, however I think if there was ever a year that he could win, this would be the year for Hamlin. Hamlin was near the top in green flag speed at Pocono and should be just as fast this weekend as well.
Joey Logano (DK $9,200 FD $12,500)
Logano got the luck of the draw and will start from the pole this weekend. There will be a competition caution on Sunday, however I like Logano to lead early here and accumulate some dominator points in a race where dom points will be limited as recent history has shown with the pole sitter. Logano has led laps at Indy in 5 of the last 7 races here and finished inside the top 10 in six of the last seven races here.
Clint Bowyer (DK $9,000 FD $9,500)
Another driver who was in my write up last week at Pocono. The statistics show that Bowyer will be another great play this weekend. Bowyer finished inside the top 10 in both races at Pocono last weekend and has two straight 5th place finishes at Indy. Bowyer starts from the 22nd postion and is a solid place differential option this weekend. I like him in all formats on both sites.
William Byron (DK $8,700 FD $10,000)
Byron is coming of a 7th and 14th place finish at Pocono and had great track history at Pocono. Last season, Byron scored a 4th palce finish here at Indy. Byron ranked inside the top 13 in green flag speed at Pocono and has consistently shown speed all season. He starts from the 18th postion on Sunday and has top 10 finishing upside.
Erik Jones (DK $8,100 FD $10,600)
Everyone’s favorite phrase when it comes to NASCAR dfs, “Chalk Erik Jones”. No other driver is more frustrating when he is chalk then Erik Jones. This week has that boom or bust feel for him. In three career starts he has wrecked twice and finished 3rd. Coming from Pocono where he was chalk as well, he finished 38th after getting wrecked by Reddick and then 3rd on Sunday. I do love the upside Jones brings starting 23rd this week and he has shown speed in multiple races this season. Just know what you are signing up for.
Any questions, message Dave on twitter @davidjr831 and sign up for final thoughts, core plays and prop plays by clicking on the NASCAR package link below.
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