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If you want to win in DFS NASCAR on DraftKings and FanDuel, consult our 2023 guide to building the best lineups.
Many different types of DFS players eventually gravitate to DFS NASCAR on DraftKings and FanDuel. Some are playing for the first time, and want to build a few lineups to start participating in a new game. Others are passionate DFS players and want to add NASCAR to their suite of available gaming options. NASCAR purists and DFS pros play for the intense competition or aim to win big in tournaments.
For all types of players, there are some essential guidelines for success. No matter your level of experience, we provide a map that can either help you start out well in your initial contest endeavors, or provide strategic angles you may have not previously considered.
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Tips For DFS NASCAR Success in 2023
When you are playing DFS NASCAR games on DraftKings and FanDuel, you must keep in mind that the games and contests are more unique than other DFS sports. Most notably, the danger of a driver wrecking or having car trouble at any time looms large over every lineup. Also, every track is unique.
To be a successful DFS NASCAR player, you must be flexible and nimble while also sticking to some essential core approaches. Of course, nothing in fantasy sports is absolute, and these recommendations are not always hard and fast rules to follow in every situation.
Roll out multiple lineups, and diversify
Newer players will often set one lineup for a major race, and when one of their drivers wrecks or has car trouble, their DFS day is over. It is a primary basic rule of DFS NASCAR planning to employ multiple lineups with various builds to increase your chances of cashing out. Identify the drivers you like, and then utilize them in many different combinations.
The RotoBaller Lineup Optimizer can help you construct multiple builds, yet I do have fun putting together several of my own lineups. Some of my “ideal” lineups will simply feature the best available drivers in every tier that can fit into the salary structure without being concerned about “leaving money on the table.”
Don’t fade the chalk
It is a regular DFS practice to steer clear of widely rostered picks, but that does not have to be the case in DFS NASCAR. Anchoring your lineup with a potentially dominant or winning driver can keep you in the hunt for a top spot in a tournament or give you a better chance of winning in a cash game. Employing various builds around top drivers is what can set your lineups apart.
When you are rolling out multiple builds, though, you can top your lineup with a few standout drivers. At restrictor plate tracks, though, it is fun and sometimes a winning approach to build a lineup around some lesser-priced drivers that may survive and surprise. You can also consider working in a road course “ace” at those types of tracks.
Use the tools in our garage
If you are a newer player, lean on the lineup optimizer to help you formulate multiple lineups. More experienced players can utilize the optimizer to work off the projections as prime reference points. They will also use the optimizer as a natural tool to optimize a healthy amount of builds for their favored drivers.
The RotoBaller Research Station also provides a comprehensive menu of deep statistical data points that are essential to successful lineup construction. It is also very helpful when wagering on NASCAR. We also feature projections and algorithms from DFS pros and much more in the RotoBaller NASCAR Season Pass.
Recent history is important
When evaluating the field for each race, we always look at statistical trends from recent seasons and recent weeks after the season starts. How drivers perform at a certain track and how they have fared recently during the season are two major factors to consider when deciding on which drivers to put into your lineups. Every track has its own layouts and challenges, and drivers will go through hot and cold spells. Every week brings new numbers and trends to consider.
The Next Gen car made its debut last season, and many events were more competitive as hoped. I recommend putting a bit of extra emphasis on reviewing 2022 results this season in the second year of Next Gen racing.
Of course, we will always supply comprehensive Loop Data pointers to help provide a fuller scope of trends from recent seasons and races in our articles. The Research Station is your central hub for deluxe Loop Data reports.
Avoiding punt plays
When you are playing other DFS sports, finding the right low-value pick can make a big difference. That is not the case in DFS NASCAR, as you want to avoid the drivers at the back of the field, because many of those who start there consistently don’t advance enough during races.
While there are always exceptions, especially in restrictor plate races and on road courses, I generally tend to avoid drivers below $6000 on DraftKings.
Dominators and Place Differential
At some tracks, “dominators” will lead many laps and will function as the axis of your best lineups. A top driver who starts near the front of the pack and has a strong history at the site should often be a prime lineup target for that event.
As soon as the starting lineup is set for a race, we always identify the better drivers that can gain the most Place Differential points. Combining possible dominators and Place Differential targets are two central tenets of lineup construction.
Monitor pre-race events
Qualifying is not the only pre-race event to consider, as final practices can give us an additional advance peek into who may perform well in actual races. I also consult consecutive lap averages for practices in addition to seeing who is fastest.
In qualifying, keep in mind that some drivers who earn a high spot in the starting lineup and don’t have good recent stats or practice runs can be very risky plays. Those types of drivers can drop in the field and cost you Place Differential points.
Know your scoring system
This is a basic rule when playing any fantasy sport. For DFS NASCAR purposes, you must be aware of the scoring differences on DraftKings and FanDuel.
- DK awards 1 point for Place Differential, and FD awards 0.5
- DK awards 0.25 points for Laps Led, and FD awards 0.1
- The prime difference is that DK has Fastest Laps as a category (0.45) and FD features Laps Completed (0.1)
Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.
