This weekend, the Cup series rolls into my home track Michigan International Speedway. Was planning on going to this race like I did last June to see my driver Clint Bowyer win but those plans fell through this weekend. Michigan is a 2 mile oval and as we saw in practice, it should be a much more interesting race then last weekend at Pocono. In practice, cars were using the draft and passing seemed to be more prevalent. As for strategies this weekend, in cash games I can see you playing the place differential strategy with what practice showed us. At most in gpps, I would probably go 2 dominators or less. I think there are some great plays that stand out this weekend and I am always excited when the big boys come to Michigan.
Kyle Larson (DK $9,500 FD $12,000)
Kyle Larson dominated this track in 2017, winning both races here. Last season he ran into some bad luck getting spun around in June and finishing 28th and finishing 17th last August. Larson should be one of the more popular picks this weekend, not only because he has been successful here but he also qualified 22nd. At Michigan there are multiple grooves that work and Larson likes to ride up high and that is one of the fastest ways around this track. I like Larson in all formats this weekend and both sites.
Chase Elliott (DK $10,000 FD $12,500)
In six career races here, Chase’s worst finish is 9th. Chase has had a good run of races lately with five top 5s in a row. Chase starts 17th and has top 5 potential here at Michigan. In practice, I liked how he was able to improve the car from the first practice to the end of final practice. He’s another driver that is good in all formats on both sites.
Kevin Harvick (DK $10,700 FD $14,000)
Kevin Harvick takes the top spot for me from the big 3. I know Kyle and MTJ have place differential upside but Kevin has shown speed all weekend and has been great throughout his career here at Michigan including a win here last August. Kevin also gives you a discount off of Kyle Busch of $1100 which helps in lineup construction. SHR starts 2nd, 3rd and 5th so he will have teammates around him and can see him jumping out front early and accumulating dominator points. Not sure you need him on fanduel for cash games and depending on your cash game strategy he may be a gpp play on draftkings as well.
Erik Jones (DK $8,300 FD $10,000)
Oh Erik Jones….He owes me some money. Last time i played him was the Coca Cola 600 and we all know how that went. However as everyone knows, you need a short memory in dfs. He is coming off a 3rd place finish in Pocono. At Michigan, Erik has not finished worse then 15th and has a 3rd place finish here as well. In practice, Erik was one of the top guys in consecutive speeds in 10 and 15 laps. I really like him on Fanduel as they score finishing position higher then place differential and i can see a top 10 out of him as long as he doesn’t blow a tire!
Jimmie Johnson (DK $7,900 FD $9,700)
I would have to go back but I believe this is the first time I have written up good ol’ 7 time. As much grief as he caused dfs players last year he has quietly put together a better then average season. This week he starts 19th at Michigan. At his price, I like the place differential upside he provides, He had top 10 speed in practice and was top 12 in 10 lap consecutive speed. The grizzly old veteran has the ability to get up and contend for a top 10 this week especially with teammates, Byron(21), Bowman(20) and Elliott(17) starting right around him. They can work their way to the front together.
Chris Buescher (DK $7,200 FD $7,300)
Chris has been a staple in successful dfs lineups this season. Every week he seems to be competing for not only top 20 positions but top 15 and in a couple cases top 10s. His price has slowly risen on draftkings but is still low on fanduel. At Michigan in the last three he has finished 24th, 20th and 6th. He gives place differential upside starting 31st. Can see him as a play in both formats on both sites.
Any questions about drivers, lineup construction, strategy feel free to message me on twitter @davidjr831 and look for my final thoughts out Sunday morning.
