This weekend we head to Long Pond, Pennsylvania to Pocono Raceway for the Pocono 400. The track nicknamed the “Tricky Triangle” is a unique track in every sense. It only has three turns and each turn is at a different degree and shape. Typically restarts here get a little crazy because of the wide frontstretch going into turn 1 which isn’t really made for three wide racing. You can slightly compare this track to Indianapolis but for the most part Pocono is a track that stands out on its own. Going into this race we don’t have a lot of dominator points seeing only 160 laps of racing here. Therefore typically we look for 0-2 dominators in cash and tournaments and puts more emphasis on place differential cars. Qualifying created some place differential plays that would have been looked at even if they didn’t qualify poorly. As I build my cash lineup, I can see a strategy that takes the place differential plays and look in my tournament builds to hit on the dominator of the weekend.
Martin Truex Jr (DK 10,900 FD $14,000)
Martin Truex qualified 20th and is the high cost place differential play. He won this race last June and has the third best average finish here in recent races. His discount over Kyle Busch along with the upside in place differential makes him a safer pick this week. Martin is riding momentum from winning the Coca-Cola 600 and seems to have hit his stride in recent races winning 3 of the last 5 points races.
Chase Elliott (DK $9,200 FD $12,000)
There is going to be a trend in this article of drivers starting between 10th-20th who are good drivers. This is the target zone for cash games this week. Chase starts 12th this week. In the last 4 races here, Chase has sported the 4th best average finish here of 8.75. Like Martin Truex, Chase has had a run of good finishes since winning in Talledega he has finished 5th, 4th, and 4th. Combine his past history here along with the place differential upside he provides he can be a solid play this weekend
Kurt Busch (DK $8,800 FD $11,500)
I think Kurt is the top play this weekend. He hits all the marks for a play in all formats. Kurt starts 21st which gives him place differential upside. He got loose in qualifying which caused him to lose a little speed and put him back here. Kurt was at the top of the board when it came to practice speed in final practice so the speed is there. Kurt also posts the 5th best average finish in recent races here. Along with the price on both sites being lower then some of the top guys gives you flexibility in lineup construction
Ryan Blaney (DK $8,900 FD $10,500)
Ryan Blaney is another driver who had a subpar qualifying effort. Seems to sum up Blaney’s season so far. Last week it seemed like he turned it around only to have a loose wheel and have to pit running top 5. Blaney qualified 17th and gives us a decent floor with nice place differential upside. In six career races at Pocono, he has finished in the top 12 in 5 of those races including one win. At some point Ryan will turn it around and with the safety net he provides this week, I think he is worth it this week.
Kyle Busch (DK $11,400 FD $15,500)
I didn’t start this article off with Kyle this week because I don’t think he is a must play in cash games. Between his price on both sites and the upside of other drivers cheaper then him I would put him in the gpp category this week. Kyle has a fast car this week and will probably be the top dominator this week. However, as mentioned above, the dominator points are limited here. Kyle has two wins here in the last three races here and is going to probably me my pick to win the race on Sunday….or Monday depending on the weather.
Michael McDowell (DK $6,300 FD $4,500)
The value pool this week has a few interesting options. This week I think Michael McDowell is the top value option. Last season in this car he finished 21st and 16th. Starting 28th, if he were to duplicate one of those finishes he would hit value at his price. Matt DiBenedetto has to drop to the back with an engine change so be careful if you play him. Could see you playing Preece, Stenhouse or Ragan as a second value driver on dk but I think McDowell is your top spot here.
If you have any questions about drivers, lineup construction, strategy feel free to message me on twitter @davidjr831 or in our DFS Karma Nascar Discord
