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Sean's NASCAR DFS picks for DraftKings, FanDuel for the DuraMAX Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) (2026). His top NASCAR daily fantasy lineup plays and DFS sleepers.
Two races are down for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, and Tyler Reddick has now won both of them. After two straight races at drafting tracks, NASCAR goes road racing at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Below are my NASCAR DFS lineup picks for the DuraMAX Grand Prix on DraftKings and FanDuel this week. This slate locks on 3/1/2026 at 3:30 p.m. EST. If you have further questions or want to discuss racing, you can find me on X at @SeanE247.
Originally built as the first American race track designed specifically for F1 competition, COTA is a road course that has hosted NASCAR since 2021. The Cup Series raced on the original full-course layout from 2021 to 2024, but now it races on the 2.4-mile NASCAR Circuit layout, which is similar to the National Course layout but with two fewer turns, shortening the route NASCAR races through.
This race will also mark the first race of the year with the new adjusted rules packages for teams. Compared to last season, the cars on road courses and all tracks that are less than 1.5 miles will have increased horsepower from 670 to 750. The increase in horsepower is meant to encourage further passing and more challenging race conditions in order to enhance the racing product. Despite this notable change, the strategy for DFS will largely remain the same for this week; pick drivers who can finish in the best position possible, lead laps if possible, and also gain solid Place Differential on track.
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DFS Lineup Picks - DraftKings, FanDuel
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Disclaimer: All the drivers presented as picks for this week's race are meant to be some of my top DFS recommendations of the week. They are not originally intended to fit all into one lineup.
Shane Van Gisbergen
Starts 13th - DK: $13K, FD: $15K
When it comes to road course events, there is one name that immediately commands attention: Shane Van Gisbergen. The No. 97 Trackhouse Racing driver dominated road racing events last year, winning at five out of the six road and street course events. The only race in the Cup Series he did not win was at COTA one year ago.
SVG still performed well last year at COTA, however. He led the second-most laps (26) and finished in the sixth position after running in the top five at the end of the first two stages. Van Gisbergen's only other start at the site was in 2024, when he finished 20th after being penalized for speeding on pit road. The Trackhouse driver, however, did win the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA earlier in the weekend.
A Texas triumph for Shane van Gisbergen!
Brought to you by @KFC pic.twitter.com/GmqbnstAgl
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) February 28, 2026
In practice for Sunday's race, SVG ranked third in both five and 10 consecutive lap averages and 13th in overall lap averages. Considering that SVG will have upside from his starting position and his extremely high ability to compete for road course wins, he will be a chalky driver to roster, but has to be considered for all lineups, especially in cash games.
Tyler Reddick
Starts 1st - DK: $9.5K, FD: $11.5K
There has been no driver with a hotter start to the year than Reddick. The No. 45 23XI Racing driver won the first two races of the season and sits first in the overall standings. Now, the question is whether or not Reddick could become the first driver in Cup Series history to open a Cup Series season with three victories.
RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE TYLER REDDICK ON HIS NASCAR CUP SERIES WIN AT COTA!
"That's my boy."- @KurtBusch pic.twitter.com/TzjPqGhDeW
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 26, 2023
COTA is a track where it is realistic for Reddick to compete for the win and make history. In five races at COTA, Reddick has one win and five top-10 finishes (one of only two drivers in the field with that mark), and a series-leading average finish of 4.6. Reddick also has a series-leading four top-5 finishes at COTA, and his 53 laps led rank third of all active drivers at the site.
In practice, Reddick ranked eighth in 10 consecutive lap averages, but ended up qualifying in the pole position for this week's race at COTA. There is a pretty high chance, based on his top-notch equipment and due to his track history, that Reddick can dominate, lead plenty of laps, and compete for the win on Sunday.
Ross Chastain
Starts 2nd - DK: $8.1K, FD: $9.5K
One driver who should never be underestimated for COTA is Ross Chastain. The Texas road course is the site of Chastain's first career Cup Series win, and he has always performed very well at this track in his career. Trackhouse Racing's drivers have also shown plenty of speed in the past at this track compared to the field and are all great DFS choices, including rookie Connor Zilisch (DK: $11.5K | FD: $14K).
A smashing success for @RossChastain, whose first career win came at @NASCARatCOTA. 🍉 pic.twitter.com/94DE3B0c8Q
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 25, 2026
In five races at COTA, Chastain has one win, four top-10 finishes, and 45 laps led with an average finish of 5.6 (third-best of all drivers). The Trackhouse Racing driver has never finished lower than 12th in a Cup Series race at COTA, and he placed ninth in the O'Reilly Series race at the site earlier in the weekend.
In practice, Chastain ranked second in 10 consecutive lap averages and overall lap averages. The No. 1 Chevrolet driver will start in the front row for the first time as he qualified second. Although he does not carry much upside, Chastain has the potential to lead laps early and compete for the win, especially at one of his best tracks in the Cup Series.
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Austin Cindric
Starts 28th - DK: $7.2K, FD: $7K
Team Penske's Austin Cindric is known for his proficiency on drafting tracks, but also on road courses dating back to his time in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. The No. 2 Ford driver has been hit-or-miss in terms of results at COTA, but is worth consideration for DFS this week, especially for his salary.
Austin Cindric in his Road Course dominance heyday being the ONLY one on slicks on a wet COTA 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aJQumaCP6p
— 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙮𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙩¹² (@BlaneyBest) February 27, 2026
In five races at COTA, Cindric has three top-20 finishes, including two inside the top 10. He also led in three of his five starts at the site and also obtained positive PD twice. In last year's race at COTA, he was on track for a top-15 finish before he was spun off track and failed to recover for a higher position.
During practice for Sunday's race, Cindric displayed top-20 speeds and ranked 18th in five consecutive lap averages. With Cindric's high upside given his starting position and past history at COTA, he is worth rostering as a driver who can finish inside the top 20.
Daniel Suarez
Starts 23rd - DK: $6.9K, FD: $6.8K
Daniel Suarez has been one of the more quietly consistent performers to start the 2026 season. The No. 7 Chevrolet driver has finished in the top 15 in all races so far this season, including the America 250 Florida Duel at Daytona and the Clash at Bowman Gray. Suarez finished fifth last week at Atlanta and is currently seventh in the points standings.
In five races at COTA, Suarez has never finished better than 24th and never scored positive PD once. However, he did lead in two different events at the site and placed in the top 10 at the end of the first stage in the last four. He also placed 10th at the end of the second stage in last year's race. Suarez has typically displayed plenty of speed and runs well, but has struggled to close out with favorable finishes at COTA.
In practice, Suarez ranked fifth in five consecutive lap averages and sixth in 10 consecutive lap averages among all drivers. The Spire Motorsports driver has favorable upside based on his starting position. Despite his track history, Suarez is an underrated DFS option who should not be overlooked. Suarez's results at road courses have been improving with three top-15s in his last three road course starts.
Bubba Wallace
Starts 24th - DK: $6.5K, FD: $7.2K
Another driver who has been off to a strong start in the 2026 season is 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace. The No. 23 Toyota driver currently sits second in points and is one of only three drivers to finish in the top 10 in both of the first two races this season.
Missed opportunity for Bubba Wallace. He got shucked out of line and slid back to eighth at the checkered flag
Wallace climbs out of his car not where he wanted to end up, but still with back-to-back Top 10s to start the year pic.twitter.com/RcwXYInb5S
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 23, 2026
In five races at COTA, Wallace has two top-20 finishes with a best finish of 15th. He also led four laps in last year's race at the site and won the first stage. Road courses are one of Wallace's weaker track types, but he produced for DFS lineups, with four top-20 finishes and four positive PD finishes in six road racing events.
During practice for Sunday's race at COTA, Wallace ranked 15th in five consecutive lap averages and ninth in 10 consecutive lap averages. Due to his practice speeds and upside, Wallace should not be underestimated as a respectable value option, especially when he has been hot to start the year.
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