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Have you ever had a girlfriend or boyfriend who seemed pretty normal at first, and then turned into a wild crazy maniac before you even realized it? If so then you're somewhat experienced what the Charlotte ROVAL is like (it's nuts). The one thing that makes this race so important is that it's an elimination race, and four drivers will seal their fate this upcoming Sunday.
Last year was the first-ever ROVAL race, and with it being so young, there is still so much to learn as we watch drivers handle the twists and turns. Ryan Blaney was able to seal the deal at last year's Bank of America ROVAL 400, and strangely enough, he's found himself in the same starting position as last year. Many of NASCAR's big names found themselves victims of the track last year, and that can be a big worry when getting your lineups ready on race day.
William Byron grabbed the pole on Friday during qualifying, and finished inside the Top 10 in all three practices over the weekend. Byron knows he needs a win here to ensure he makes the second round of the playoffs, but I'm not so certain he has what it takes to get the bag at this track. When I say anything can happen at this track, I multiply it by a million compared to any other race during the season.
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DFS Lineup Picks - DraftKings, FanDuel
Kyle Larson #42 (DraftKings $9,400 | FanDuel $11,800)
Larson looked great all weekend in practice posting three Top 10 finishes, and securing the seventh spot behind the pole winner. Although Larson had a rough finish at this track last season, he showed that he has what it takes to be great.
In his only other race at the ROVAL, Larson led 47 laps, but only posted 26 FPTS. Expect more from Larson this Sunday and feel confident knowing that his need to win is stronger than ever.
Chase Elliott #9 (DraftKings $9,600 | FanDuel $13,000)
Elliott could be dubbed the NASCAR road warrior, and I probably wouldn't challenge the take. Elliott has proven that he has what it takes to maneuver his ride through the twists and turns, and is (in my mind) the most comfortable play this weekend.
Elliott qualified 19th with a speed of 101.732, which will give him some solid points production as he moves his way through the pack. Expect no less than a Top 10 finish from Elliott this Sunday.
Matt DiBenedetto #95 (DraftKings $7,600 | FanDuel $8,000)
DiBenedetto has nothing to lose, and everything to gain at this track come Sunday. As the newly anointed Woods Brothers Racing driver prepares to give up his seat to Christopher Bell at Levine Family Racing, he'll be sure to remind them what they are giving up.
DiBenedetto put up 49 FPTS at this track last season, and finished 13th after starting 28th. The speed is there as well, as he finished two out of three practices in the Top 10 over this weekend, and should easily be the best value on the board.
Martin Truex Jr. #19 (DraftKings $10,900 | FanDuel $14,500)
"Champ Master Truex Jr." is looking to pull off the sweep before the playoffs advance to round two this weekend, and he could put up one of the sexiest place differentials at this track thus far. Truex was dropped to the rear after exploding his engine from missing a shift (bet he'll never let that happen again), but from a fantasy perspective, this is the best news ever.
Truex Jr. did an excellent job during practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday posting his best lap of 102.009 in Saturday's practice. Truex Jr has been the man recently so don't expect much to change this weekend.
More NASCAR DFS Analysis
Be sure to also check out this week's Revvin' Up, a weekly video series by Sean Engel focused on previewing every Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race from DFS perspectives. Sean Engel is a six-time DraftKings NASCAR DFS tournament winner and a 15-year NASCAR veteran.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase and subscribe to the Garage Guys Fantasy Sports Podcast for Fantasy Football and NASCAR talk. Good luck RotoBallers!
