👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Deandre Ayton

Listed as Questionable for Thursday
Cooper Flagg

Likely to Skip Meeting With Lakers
Stephon Castle

Cleared to Play Wednesday
Austin Reaves

Set to Return Thursday
Chris Bassitt

Orioles Agree on One-Year Deal
LeBron James

Available Thursday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Won't Face Mavericks Thursday
Jake McCarthy

Could Start in Right Field for Rockies
Will Richard

Out Wednesday
De'Anthony Melton

Available Wednesday Night
Spencer Jones

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Christian Braun

Active Wednesday Night
Jared Jones

Placed on 60-Day Injured List
Walter Clayton Jr.

Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr. Ruled Out Wednesday
Jamal Murray

Good to Go Against Grizzlies
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Ready to Rock Wednesday
Yves Missi

a Late Scratch Wednesday
Lauri Markkanen

to Play Limited Minutes Wednesday
Kris Bubic

Wins Arbitration Case Against Royals
Tari Eason

Set to Suit Up Against Clippers
Eric Lauer

Loses Arbitration Hearing Against Toronto
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Will Suit Up Wednesday
Bailey Falter

Throws a Bullpen on Wednesday
Jalen Green

Out Against Thunder
Zack Gelof

"Feeling Ready to Go"
Devin Booker

Skips Wednesday's Matchup
Hunter Strickland

Throws a Bullpen on Wednesday
Andrew Wiggins

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Casey Schmitt

Could be Cleared for Full Baseball Activities Soon
Anthony Edwards

Cleared to Play Wednesday
Jacob Stallings

Retires, Joins Pirates' Front Office
Orion Kerkering

Suffers a Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Trey Yesavage

Blue Jays Will Monitor Trey Yesavage's Workload
Tanner Houck

to Throw Next Week, Hopes to Contribute in September
Roman Anthony

Likely to Lead Off for the Red Sox?
Trevor Story

Expected to Bat Second?
Nick Castellanos

Told Not to Report to Spring Complex
Miles Mikolas

Nationals Signing Miles Mikolas
Brandon Woodruff

Throwing Bullpens, "in a Good Spot"
Chris Martin

Robert Garcia, Chris Martin the Front-Runners for Saves in Texas
John King

Marlins Agree to One-Year Deal
Sung-Mun Song

Set for Utility Role in San Diego
Cameron Young

Looking for Pebble Beach Success
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Turn Things Around at Pebble Beach
Collin Morikawa

Eyes Turnaround at Pebble Beach
Jake Knapp

Brings Hot Form to Pebble Beach
Nick Taylor

in Good Form Going into Pebble Beach Event
Viktor Hovland

Carrying Momentum Into Pebble Beach
Tommy Fleetwood

Set for 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Harris English

Looks to Build on Steady Form at Pebble Beach
Justin Rose

Tuned in for AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Keegan Bradley

a Boom-or-Bust Play at Pebble Beach
Maverick McNealy

Playing Well with Pebble Beach Looming
Russell Henley

Carries Momentum to Pebble Beach
Shane Lowry

Makes 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Michael Kim

Putting Well with Pebble Beach on the Horizon
Billy Horschel

a Little Rattled After Consecutive Missed Cuts
Ben Griffin

Solid But Not Spectacular Early in 2026
Wyndham Clark

Has Question Marks Heading to Pebble Beach
Daniel Berger

Heating Up at the Right Time for Pebble Beach
Jordan Spieth

Looking For a Return to Form at Pebble Beach
Juuse Saros

Starting Wednesday
William Nylander

Iffy for Olympic Opener
Martin Necas

Ready for Thursday
Drake Maye

Says his Shoulder Injury was Significant
Xander Schauffele

Trying to Get the Motor Going at Pebble Beach
Hideki Matsuyama

Trying to Overcome Sunday Collapse
Kenneth Walker III

Runs Away With Super Bowl MVP Honors
Vinicius Oliveira

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Mario Bautista

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kyoji Horiguchi

Dominates At UFC Vegas 113
Amir Albazi

Gets Dominated At UFC Vegas 113
Rizvan Kuniev

Earns His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 113
Marc-Andre Barriault

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Gets His Third Win In A Row
Las Vegas Raiders

Klint Kubiak Confirms he Will be Next Raiders Head Coach
Jonas Rondbjerg

Out for Olympics
Brad Marchand

Good to Go for Olympic Opener
Gabriel Landeskog

Healthy for Olympics
Jack Hughes

Cleared for Olympics
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Returns to Super Bowl After Injury Scare
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Being Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return
James Pearce Jr.

Arrested Following Police Chase
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
Travis Kelce

Undecided on Playing Future, Leaning Towards Returning in 2026?
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF