This weekend we head to Vegas for the first race of the playoffs. Vegas is a 1.5 mile track. Nascar was here in the spring but the temperatures were much different back then. At the green flag, we are expecting temperatures of over 100 degrees and will make for great racing. We will be looking for 1-2 dominators on draftkings and have some great options which should make it less chalky in cash games. Playoff drivers are starting throughout the field and at this time of year I try to look to get as many of those guys in my lineup because they will be racing safe and trying to get the best finish possible.
Kevin Harvick (DK $10,300 FD $14,000)
Kevin Harvick starts from the 3rd position Sunday night. He is surrounded by his Stewart-Haas teammates, 2 of which are in the playoffs with him. In the last 6 races here, he has won twice and finished top seven, four of six times. Harvick started this season off slow but has seemed to turn it up a notch as the playoffs approached and is probably my pick to win the championship at this point. Harvick has had a fast car in practice this weekend in not only single lap speed but also long run speed. He’s a top option as a dominator starting near the front.
Martin Truex Jr. (DK $10,700 FD $13,200)
MTJ along with most of the JGR cars as of recently had a sub-par qualifying effort this weekend. He starts 24th. Truex hasn’t finished worse then 11th since 2014 at Las Vegas. This season, Truex hasn’t been as successful as he was at 1.5 mile tracks but thats comparing to results where he was one of the top drivers at 1.5 mile tracks over the past couple seasons. He has top 13 speed this weekend and at a track where it starts in the daytime and ends at night you cannot count Truex out.
Erik Jones (DK $9,100 FD $10,400)
Another JGR car that had a bad qualifying lap, Erik starts 26th. In four career starts here at Vegas, he has three top 15 finishes. Along with Truex, Jones floor is why he is a cash game option as well. As it comes to practice, Erik Jones had top 5-10 speed in single and consecutive lap averages. Jones is also another playoff driver who will make sure he does what it takes to be there at the end of the race.
Clint Bowyer (DK $8,500 FD $8,800)
Clint earned his first pole since September 14th, 2007 today. We have seen where track position has been key. At his price, Clint is a lower cost dominator who is surrounded by SHR car. I can see Clint getting out front and leading a portion of the first stage. With Clint being in the playoffs, he should be around the top 10 by the end of the race. At a track where we see 2-3 dominators in gpp winning lineups, Clint offers dominator potential at lower cost. He also has been in a playoff mindset for a few weeks trying to get in whereas some of these guys have been locked in for months. Clint drives on emotion and that could drive a good finish from him.
Ryan Newman (DK $8,100 FD $7,800)
As opposed to other weekends this season, Newman actually unloaded faster then normal. His practice speeds were top 10 in both single and consecutive lap averages. Newman qualified 17th and has top 12 potential. Newman is another playoff driver who is always there at the end. He has been a constant top 15 car over the past couple months securing his spot in the playoffs. He finished 9th here in this race last year and has the ability to do that again this year.
Chris Buescher (DK $7,200 FD $7,000)
Just like last week, Buescher vs MDB. Buescher starts 28th and has finished 18th or better in 3 of 5 career races here. MDB, even though he is getting cars from JGR, has struggled with these types of tracks where the results come more from the car instead of driver skill. I think they are both good plays this weekend, but I will have more exposure to Buescher then MDB this week.
Any questions, message me on twitter @davidjr831
