👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


Big Machine Vodka 400: DFS NASCAR Lineup Sleepers And Drivers To Avoid

NASCAR is rolling into one of the most prestigious tracks in history this week, and the playoffs are one race from being set. The Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was graced with its first NASCAR win by Jeff Gordon in 1994, and since then every driver throughout the sport dreams of kissing those bricks. Expect some intense racing between drivers fighting to grab the tail end of the cutoff.

Drivers have to be hyped that they won't have to race until 2:00 AM again for a while after last week's delay in Darlington. Erik Jones surprisingly took down the house with his first win of the season, while Kyle Busch dropped a lot of folks points in DFS while trying to catch Jones (Why Kyle!?). Matt DiBenedetto was the best sleeper play last week with a total of 48.50 FPTS.

For more DFS NASCAR from top analysts and proven winners, upgrade to our Premium Package.

Featured Promo! Save 50% on any PGA Premium Pass using discount code MASTERS, this week only! Win more with our DFS and Betting Packages, get expert tools and advice from proven winners including the Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, betting/props cheat sheet and more. GAIN FULL ACCESS HERE

 

What We Learned At Darlington

  • Young drivers had Instagram on point all weekend.
  • Matt DiBenedetto did way better than expected.
  • Kyle Busch pulled off another wow performance with 122 FPTS.
  • William Byron has a big learning curve at Darlington.

 

DFS Lineup Sleepers - Big Machine Vodka 400

Paul Menard

Menard pulled off another Top 10 finish last week in Darlington and could do it again this week at the Brickyard. Since 2015, Menard has averaged 37 FPTS on DraftKings, which is decent for a driver at his price. He's out there racing for fun at this point in the season, and a relaxed Menard could wreck shop in DFS.

Clint Bowyer

Bowyer is one of the drivers fighting for the last playoff spot this Sunday. Bowyer finished inside the Top 5 in 2018 at this track, and with a good qualifying position, we could see another great performance this year. With Bowyer holding on to get a playoff spot, he should push himself a little harder than usual.

Ryan  Newman

Hot Dog Man Ryan Newman will be dancing toe to toe with Bowyer and Daniel Suarez this Sunday, and out of these three, I've got my eye dialed into Newman. Over the past two years, Newman has been no stranger to a Top 10 finish, and knows he needs something big to get Rousch Fenway into the playoffs. Look for Newman to be sneaky around the Top 5 this week.

 

DFS Lineup Avoids - Big Machine Vodka 400

Martin Truex Jr.

Truex Jr. is a sure lock for the playoffs and has no worries going into this weekend other than trying to get his first win at this track. As bad as Truex Jr. may want to kiss the bricks, it's not likely to happen, and more likely to wreck your lineups this Sunday. When you only average 13 FPTS at this track since 2015, there's no way I'm paying up for you.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Even Dog The Bounty Hunter couldn't help Stenhouse Jr. capture a decent finish at Darlington, and don't expect much more this weekend in Indianapolis. Stenhouse Jr. has only finished one race inside the Top 20 at this track in his career, and averages 6 FPTS since 2015. It's just not a good week for juniors.

Chase Elliott

Eliott is one of NASCAR's most popular drivers, and with that, he can be a tempting play for the casual DFS player. I hope you find this well if you're that player because this isn't the week for Elliott. Elliott has never had a Top 10 at this track, and has finished with negative placement in all but one race at the Brickyard.

For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase.  

More Fantasy NASCAR Analysis

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Braelon Allen

Dynasty Stock Takes a Hit After Teammate's Extension
Josh Allen

Still the Top Dynasty QB in his Prime
Kyler Murray

Suddenly a Rising Dynasty Target in Minnesota
Logan Webb

on Track to Start Against Dodgers on Monday
Mike Matheson

Leads by Example in Game 2 Win
Jakub Dobes

Rebounds After Loss Yet Again for Montreal
Rachaad White

Undervalued in Dynasty Leagues Despite a Path to Upside
Alex Newhook

Sets Tone in Big Montreal Victory
Stephon Castle

Overcomes Shooting Struggles Friday
Jake Tonges

Should by Now Be Rostered by Every Kittle Dynasty Manager
Anthony Edwards

Carries Heavy Usage in Defeat
Chig Okonkwo

a Clear Breakout Candidate in Washington
Lukas Dostal

Gets Pulled in Game 3 Loss on Friday
Victor Wembanyama

Joins Historic Playoff Company
Mikal Bridges

Continues Postseason Surge with 23-Point Game
Aaron Jones Sr.

Still a Low-Cost, Short-Term Dynasty Target
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Keeps Scoring Role Alive
Romeo Doubs

' Buy Window Could Soon Be Wide Open
Joel Embiid

Held to 18 Points in 76ers Game 3 Loss
Brett Howden

Notches Sixth Goal of the Postseason
Jalen Brunson

Tallies 33 Points to Take 3-0 Series Lead
VEG

Mitch Marner Hat Trick Helps Vegas Take Series Lead
Pat Bryant

Working With Training Staff This Offseason
Jacoby Brissett

in Communication With Cardinals Despite Skipping Workouts
Daniel Jones

Could Take Part in 7-on-7 Drills at OTAs
Tyler Glasnow

Dodgers Put Tyler Glasnow on Injured List With Back Spasms
Sam Merrill

Iffy for Game 3 on Saturday
Anthony Edwards

Rejoins Starting Lineup Friday
Kevin Huerter

Likely to Remain Out Saturday
Jarred Vanderbilt

Considered Questionable for Saturday
Jalen Williams

Ruled Out for Game 3 Against Lakers
Ayo Dosunmu

Cleared to Play Friday
Anthony Edwards

Available Friday Night
Joel Embiid

is Returning for Game 3 on Friday
Brandon Ingram

Undergoes Heel Surgery
Josh Hart

is Available to Play in Game 3
OG Anunoby

is Downgraded to Out for Game 3 on Friday
Mitchell Robinson

is Returning for Game 3
Mats Zuccarello

Expected to Play Saturday
Joel Eriksson Ek

to Be a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Jonas Brodin

Still Out Saturday
Josh Manson

Could Return Saturday
Kaedan Korczak

Scratched for Game 3 Against Ducks
Radko Gudas

Likely to Remain Out Friday
Sam Carrick

Won't Play Friday
Isiah Pacheco

Can Isiah Pacheco Re-Establish His Dynasty Value in Detroit?
Rico Dowdle

Dynasty Ceiling Limited By Backfield Committee in Pittsburgh
Rashid Shaheed

a High-Risk, High-Reward Buy-Low Candidate for Dynasty Managers
Marcus Mariota

Is Marcus Mariota Worth Stashing as an Injury Replacement in Dynasty Leagues?
Jacoby Brissett

a Clear Sell-High Candidate for Dynasty Managers
Blake Snell

to Make Season Debut for Dodgers on Saturday
Najee Harris

Can Najee Harris Re-Establish Some Dynasty Value in 2026?
Cole Ragans

Royals Place Cole Ragans on Injured List With Elbow Impingement
Breece Hall

Jets Sign Breece Hall to Three-Year Extension Worth $45.75 Million
Sean Strickland

An Underdog At UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev

Set For UFC 328 Main Event
Tatsuro Taira

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Joshua Van

Set For His First Title Defense
Alexander Volkov

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Nick Lodolo

Officially Activated, Making Season Debut on Friday
Denver Broncos

Broncos Sign GM George Paton to New Five-Year Deal
Brandon McManus

Packers Release Kicker Brandon McManus
New York Jets

Jets Talking to a "Number of Veteran Quarterbacks"
CFB

Walker Lyons Could be Go-To Target for Bear Bachmeier
Austin Reaves

Scores 31 Points in Game 2 Defeat
CFB

Ty Benefield a Potential Game-Changer for LSU Defense
Chet Holmgren

Anchors Thunder Past Lakers in Game 2
CFB

Hayden Lowe Set for Significant Role Following Miami's NFL Departures
CFB

Taylor Wein in Position for Big Season on Oklahoma's Defensive Line
CFB

Rasheem Biles an Instant Impact Player for Texas
Dan Vladar

Looks to Return to Winning Ways Thursday
Connor Dewar

Penguins Re-Sign Connor Dewar for Two Years
Mikko Rantanen

Played Through Torn MCL Late in the Season
Rasmus Dahlin

Ready to Go Friday
Alexander Nikishin

Set to Return Thursday
Christian Dvorak

Available Thursday
Owen Tippett

Remains Out Thursday
Roman Anthony

Heading for the Injured List
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
Tarik Skubal

Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Cole Ragans

Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
Mark Stone

Nets Late Power-Play Goal in Losing Effort
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks
Joe Ryan

Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday Against Cleveland
Tyler Glasnow

Not Expected to Land on the Injured List
Framber Valdez

Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Framber Valdez

Suspended Six Games
Tyler Glasnow

Exits Early on Wednesday With Back Pain
CFB

Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
CFB

Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
CFB

Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
CFB

Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
CFB

Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
CFB

Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Brandon Woodruff

has Fluid Drained From his Right Shoulder
Brandon Woodruff

to Resume Throwing on Saturday, Return Imminent?
Carlos Correa

to Have Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Jacob Misiorowski

Listed as Friday's Probable Starter
Logan Webb

Dealing With Knee Discomfort
Carlos Correa

Expected to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Truist Championship
Xander Schauffele

Carries Elite Form Into Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Secures Third Win of 2026 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well Heading to Truist Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Returns to Action For Truist Championship
Justin Thomas

Searching for Consistency at Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Break Through at Quail Hollow
Adam Scott

Brings Strong Form to Quail Hollow
Robert MacIntyre

a Steady Option at Truist Championship
Jason Day

Looks to Overcome Approach Struggles at Quail Hollow
Akshay Bhatia

Looks for Complete Game at Truist Championship
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Headed for Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Justin Rose

to Continue Mid-Season Club Change at Truist Championship
Si Woo Kim

is Back to Peak Form Ahead of Truist Championship
Sam Burns

to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Cameron Young

Looks to Carry Dominance to Quail Hollow
Rory McIlroy

Returns to Familiar Stomping Grounds This Week at Quail Hollow
Chris Gotterup

Looking to Bounce Back at Quail Hollow
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking For Better Iron Play at Quail Hollow
CFB

Mario Craver Enters No. 1 Wide Receiver Role for Marcel Reed
CFB

LaNorris Sellers a Strong Rebound Candidate in 2026
CFB

Cam Coleman Poised for Monster Year at Texas?
CFB

Will Hammond Pushing to Be Ready for Week 1
Alex Fitzpatrick

Looking to Keep Up Ball-Striking Output at Quail Hollow
CFB

Notre Dame Leads College Football in Returning Snaps
CFB

Two Ole Miss Football Players Arrested, Charged with DUI
Ben Griffin

Looks Solid on the Surface Heading to Charlotte
Chase Elliott

Earns his Second Texas Motor Speedway Victory
Denny Hamlin

Misses Out on Winning at Texas
Alex Bowman

Finishes Third for the Second Week in a Row at Texas
Tyler Reddick

Earns Seventh Top-Five Finish of the Season at Texas
Chris Buescher

Scores his First Career Texas Finish in the Top Five
CFB

Bryce Underwood in Better Situation Entering Sophomore Season
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Emerging as Leader, Playmaker for UCLA
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Shines At UFC Perth
Beneil Dariush

Suffers A First-Round TKO Loss
Quillan Salkilld

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Tim Elliott

Drops Decision At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ollie Schmid

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Marwan Rahiki

Remains Unbeaten
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell Worth Rostering for Texas Lineups?
William Byron

Might have the Speed to Compete for the Win at Texas
Joey Logano

Provides Solid Upside for Texas DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF