TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Federated Auto Parts 400: DFS NASCAR Lineup Sleepers And Drivers To Avoid

I'm coming off of a huge week in DFS after winning my first two tournaments using my FREE driver picks from last week's race preview.

If you happened to play all four of my picks you most likely had a solid last Sunday as well, and I want to hear from you on Twitter, (@GarageGuyChase) or by calling the Garage Guys Fantasy Sports Podcast hotline (929-430-GGFS). We're saddling up to do it all over again this week in Richmond, and it all starts with the sleepers to keep an eye on.

Going into the second week of the NASCAR Playoffs, you HAVE to watch these guys on the lower end of the totem pole trying to stay alive, but also the guys that have nothing to lose. Last time the cup series ran this track, Martin Truex Jr got his first short-track victory, and was listed as a sleeper in this series at that time. Truex Jr. won't be listed as a sleeper anymore, but below are the guys you need to use to fill in the gaps when creating your powerhouse lineups come Saturday night.

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

 

What We Learned At Las Vegas

  • Kyle Busch is only here so he doesn't get fined.
  • Hendrick is heating up with three of four drivers getting a Top 10.
  • Ryan Blaney is back?
  • Never take Kurt Busch to Las Vegas with you.

 

DFS Lineup Sleepers - Federated Auto Parts 400

Daniel Suarez

Suarez missed the playoffs due to a great "push it to the limit" effort by Ryan Newman. Even though I'd probably take Newman in a fight against Suarez, I won't be taking him for his driving this week. Suarez hasn't been hot as of late by any means, but with his track record at Richmond, he should be a good mid-tier driver for fantasy purposes.

Jimmie Johnson

Johnson finished just outside the Top 10 last week in Las Vegas, and I don't think he's going to just lay down for the remainder of the season after missing the playoffs. Johnson has finished in the Top 10 seven times at this track since 2014, which makes him the most luxurious sleeper in the game this week. Don't sleep on Jimmie!

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Richard Stenhouse Junior is a name that you haven't heard in this series in a hot minute, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled on him this weekend. Stenhouse Jr. is out here with nothing to lose this season, and depending on his practice session on Friday, he could be a key player for your lineups. Stenhouse Jr. averages 30 FPTS at this track, and had a Top 10 finish back in 2017.

 

DFS Lineup Avoids - Federated Auto Parts 400

Ryan Blaney

Blaney was a bad man in DFS this past week racking up some solid points, but I don't see it happening again this week in Richmond. In his career, Blaney has never posted a Top 10, and has only scored an average of 8.50 FPTS when running at Richmond. Leave Blaney in the garage this Saturday.

Michael McDowell

McDowell can pay off sometimes as a low-end fantasy option in DFS, but thats not the case this weekend. If you were to play him this week you would feel dirtier than the bathroom of his sponsor, (Love's) and I've got the data to prove it. McDowell has never posted a Top 10 at this track, and has only had two Top 20s in his entire career.

Bubba Wallace

Bubba shined some light for those who played him in Indianapolis two weeks ago, but other than that he's been one of the more disappointing drivers this season. Wallace should not be used to fill the gaps this Saturday night unless he starts at the rear. Wallace has finished every race in his career at this track with negative placement, and only averages 12 FPTS.

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

More Fantasy NASCAR Analysis



The Keys to Weekly NASCAR Success

NASCAR is back, and it's time for you to win more with RotoBaller!
Our NASCAR Premium Package for DFS and betting features several heavy hitters and proven winners.

Jordan McAbee anchors the team with his exclusive NASCAR DFS and betting picks, DFS projections and algorithm-predicted finishing order! Jordan had a 60+ unit betting profit in 2024 NASCAR, and a 25% average annual profit since 2018. He won the FSWA Racing Writer Of The Year award in 2023, and has been nominated for DFS Writer Of The Year in 2024.

Five-time NASCAR Racing Writer of the Year finalist and fantasy industry legend Scott "The King" Engel is also in the crew, bringing you his weekly strategies and lineup picks. Set your winning DFS lineups with our award-winning team. He has been nominated once again in 2024 for this award.

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cody Glass

Exits Early Tuesday Night
Anton Lundell

Expected to Be Available Thursday
Jordan Kyrou

Jake Neighbours Knocked Out of the Lineup Tuesday
Elias Lindholm

Hurt in Tuesday's Win
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Exits With Injury Tuesday
Ondrej Palat

Devils Send Ondrej Palat to the Islanders
Collin Murray-Boyles

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday's Game
Jock Landale

Available for Wednesday's Tilt
Kel'el Ware

in Danger of Missing Another Game
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Davion Mitchell

Iffy for Wednesday
Gary Woodland

Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
Norman Powell

Questionable Wednesday
Tyler Herro

Remains Out Wednesday
Andrew Putnam

Desires to Keep Monentum Rolling This Week
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Darius Garland

Won't Be Available Wednesday
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Franz Wagner

Won't Play Wednesday
Draymond Green

Expected to Return Wednesday
Kawhi Leonard

Available Against Jazz
Jordan Goodwin

Starts Against Nets
Peyton Watson

Back for Nuggets Tuesday
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ready to Rock Tuesday Night
Jamal Murray

Active Versus Pistons
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
Aaron Wiggins

Moves to Starting Lineup Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bobby Portis Replaces Giannis Antetokounmpo in Starting Unit
Joel Embiid

Ready to Take on Bucks
Paul George

Returns to Action Tuesday
Stephen Curry

Listed as Probable for Wednesday
Collin Gillespie

Misses Tuesday's Matchup
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Leo Carlsson

to Miss Olympics
Alex Turcotte

Unavailable Tuesday
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Dylan Holloway

Remains Out Tuesday
Marco Rossi

to Return After Olympics
Thatcher Demko

Won't Return This Season
Sam Malinski

Inks Four-Year Extension With Avalanche
Bryan Rust

Slapped With Three-Game Suspension
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
Teuvo Teravainen

Set to Return Tuesday
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Simon Edvinsson

Out Until Olympics
Josh Norris

Won't Play This Week
Zeev Buium

Lands on Injured Reserve
Brock Boeser

Canucks Place Brock Boeser on Injured Reserve
Sean Durzi

Hurt on Monday Night
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Jonas Brodin

to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Kasperi Kapanen

Returns From Three-Game Absence Monday
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Their Head Coach
Indianapolis Colts

FBI Investigating the Death of Colts Owner Jim Irsay
MacKenzie Gore

Rangers Acquire MacKenzie Gore From the Nationals

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP