RADIO
One road course race down and one more to go. Sonoma was definitely an interesting race and came with a few surprises that I didn't see coming (and some that were pretty predictable). Martin Truex Jr. doing great and bagging the victory at Sonoma was one of those easy things to see coming.
This is Truex Jr.'s second victory in a row at this track led to him sipping that glass chalice of California red water, which had to be sweet after holding off Kyle Busch for his fourth win of the season. There's no doubt that Joe Gibbs Racing is killing it in 2019, and I'm sure we're not done seeing those drivers in victory lane as we head into the halfway point of the season.
Now that we're putting road course racing to bed for a few weeks, it's time to head back to oval town and get ready for a fun run at Chicagoland Speedway. This is another track that Truex Jr. shines at and could easily become his fifth victory of the season unless Kevin Harvick or Kyle Larson decides to show out as they have in the past two years.
What We Learned At Sonoma
- Darrell Waltrip has left the booth
- Matt DiBenedetto is a solid road course racer
- Martin Truex Jr. will most likely be in the HOF
- William Byron is "capable" of being good at a road course
- Toyota owned Sonoma
DFS Lineup Sleepers - Camping World 400
Jimmie Johnson
Johnson has been on the lower end of things lately in the Fantasy NASCAR world, but there is reason to believe he could do better this Sunday in the "CHI". In the past two years at Chicagoland, Johnson had positive track position by the end of each race. He has averaged around 48 FPTS at this track since 2014. The veteran could be worth a plug in a few lineups this weekend for a low price.
Alex Bowman
Coming off a 14th place finish at Sonoma, it's tough to say that Bowman has momentum. We can say that Bowman has been rocking the show at oval tracks this season and that's enough for me to put him in the sleeper category. In the past two races at this track, Bowman has averaged about 39 FPTS on DraftKings.
Ryan Blaney
It was surprising to see how well Blaney finished at Sonoma and it was enough to put him on this list this week. Blaney should have some positive energy around him right now and that's exactly what a driver needs to break a slump and take a shot at getting back higher in the points race. The best race Blaney had at Chicagoland was his first one in 2016 when he finished in fourth place.
DFS Lineup Avoids - Camping World 400
Austin Dillon
Throughout Dillon's career, there has been nothing but negativity at this track. Having only one race where he advanced track position in five years (literally 15th to 14th) there really isn't much more to be said on whether you should play him this week or not. Dillon has just either been mediocre on race day or ran into bad luck so far this season. Maybe he can turn it around with NBC taking over.
Ty Dillon
The other grandchild of Richard Childress is better off being left in the garage this week. Ty Dillon is one of those guys that you can throw in a lineup here and there and get some decent production for the price. This is not one of those weeks. In all three races he's ran at this track, Dillon just seems to stay put. When you're starting towards the back that's the last thing you want to see. Look elsewhere for value this week.
Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman was another driver I was impressed with last Sunday at Sonoma. He was one of the last guys I expected to see rolling with the lead pack. Even though we're headed back to the norm for the drivers this week, I will be avoiding him in all my lineups. With only about 23 FPTS averaged in Chicagoland over the years, he's not worth the play. Search lower to maximize your potential this week in DFS.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase.
