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It's time to get tricky in the Pocono mountains this weekend, and we're kicking off the doubleheader with 325 miles of pure speed on a Saturday. Pocono Raceway is one of the most fascinating tracks in NASCAR to me due to its configuration, and the fact that no one really knows whether to call it a tri-oval or a road course. One of the coolest features is that each turn was modeled after other tracks (Trenton Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and The Milwaukee Mile).
This track is most definitely an acquired taste for drivers, and while some take to it easily, others have a hard time adjusting. Veteran Drivers are my preferred plays this week with the exception of a few noobs to get the most out of lineups. Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have a pretty hot track record in recent years, and with the majority of them being slightly underpriced, you should consider building some of your lineups around them.
While reminiscing on the two races that took place at this track in 2019, I remembered that there wasn't a ton of passing. Many DFS players will have their eyes set on the high priced Christopher Bell this week (pretty insane to be honest), and while I'll have him in a few lineups, I'm not looking to go overboard due to the nature of the track. These turns will be tricky, and if you want to bag at Pocono you need to study all you can by watching the latest NASCAR DFS Preview Show, and subscribing to RotoBaller's NASCAR Premium Content.
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DFS Lineup Picks - DraftKings, FanDuel
Be sure to also check out all of our other weekly NASCAR DFS articles and analysis to help you set your optimal DFS lineups, including the RotoBaller NASCAR DFS Preview Show on YouTube:
William Byron #24
(DraftKings $8,400 | FanDuel $10,400 | DK SportsBook +2000 )
Willy B should be hot on the scene this weekend starting in P16 at his fifth Cup Series run at Pocono. Byron has finished inside of the Top 10 in three of his four career starts at this track, and seems to be really comfortable driving though the legendary turns. Either Byron ran this track until his eyes went blurry on iRacing throughout his life, or he's just really fond of triangles.
Kevin Harvick #4
(DraftKings $10,100 | FanDuel $14,000 | DK SportsBook +650)
Harvick starts in P9 this Saturday, and is one of the odds maker's favorites this season. It seems like every other week we have been talking about "K Harv", but this week (like every other week there has been a race at this track) it could be a really special thing to have him in your lineups. Harvick has never won at Pocono, and with him knowing he's in the final years of his career, we could finally see him roll up in victory lane.
Erik Jones #20
(DraftKings $7,100 | FanDuel $10,000 | DK SportsBook +1600 )
Here I am again "Jones' in" for Erik Jones, and even though he's been burning us here and there, I have a hard time believing that it will happen at Pocono. Jones is the "Chalk Boi" for this race due to his impressive stats, and JGR equipment rolling off in P19. There has only been one race at this track where he didn't get a Top 10 finish, so hopefully no one at DraftKings loses their job next Monday.
Kyle Busch #18
(DraftKings $9,300 | FanDuel $13,500 | DK SportsBook +450 )
Chef Boi and I were torn between Busch and Harvick for this race, and even though we both think the odds are more in Harvick's favor, we can't rule M&M's Busch out of our lineups. Busch has been in a funk as of late, but with him starting in P4 at this track, things could take a turn for the better. Busch has three Pocono victories since 2017.
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Matt DiBenedetto #21
(DraftKings $7,600 | FanDuel $8,100 | DK SportsBook +10000 )
Matty D is the most unlikely suspect based on his past record, but I'm ready to roll the dice on him this Saturday in his new Wood Brothers whip. Looking at Chef's Premium Rankings this week, DiBenedetto landed second in Tier 3 behind Byron, which makes him a solid mid-tier option. DiBenedetto rolls off in the #21 on Saturday in P21, and has a chance to deliver a solid return for his price.
Michael McDowell #34
(DraftKings $5,500 | FanDuel $5,000 | DK SportsBook +75000 )
McDowell has been "Ole Trusty" for me in the past few weeks, and seeing his price drop back down made me even giddier. The big debate will be between starting McDowell or Preece, and I'm going to trust experience over equipment. McDowell has what it takes to deliver positive place differential at a low price, and has shown he can do it safely and efficiently at the Tricky Triangle.
Denny Hamlin #11
(DraftKings $8,800 | FanDuel $13,000 | DK SportsBook +650)
Dennis "Denny Hamlin" Hamlet is starting Saturday's race in P3, and we should see an instant battle between him and Ryan Blaney starting in P2. Hamlin has had the most success out of the Joe Gibbs Drivers so far this season, and the pressure to win a championship is stronger than ever. With a win, and a Top 10 finish at this track in 2019, it's easy for me to put money on him.
Ryan Blaney #12
(DraftKings $9,000 | FanDuel $11,800 | DK SportsBook +1000 )
Blaney has really impressed me this season, as well as every other NASCAR fan and DFS player. The changes made at Team Penske before the start of the season seem to be working in his favor, and now he has another shot to continue the success he's having starting behind the pole sitter (Aric Almirola). Blaney has one win under his belt at Pocono, and was a big place differential play in the past three races at this track.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase and subscribe to the Garage Guys Fantasy Sports Podcast for Fantasy NASCAR and Fantasy Football talk. Good luck RotoBallers!
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