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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

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jalen Duren

Available to Finish Game 6
Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Not Expected to Be Ready for Start of Next Season
Jalen Williams

Declares Himself Healthy for Conference Finals
Terrence Shannon Jr.

Will Play Friday Night
Kevin Huerter

is Available for Game 6
Duncan Robinson

is Returning for Game 6
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 6 on Friday
OG Anunoby

Practices in Full on Friday
Terrence Shannon Jr.

is Tagged as Questionable for Friday
Blake Snell

Scratched From Start on Friday for Undisclosed Reasons
Luther Burden III

Does Luther Burden III Have WR1 Dynasty Upside in Chicago?
MarShawn Lloyd

Can MarShawn Lloyd Emerge as a Top Dynasty Handcuff Option?
Emanuel Wilson

Can Emanuel Wilson Carve Out a Consistent Role in Seattle?
Max Fried

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise
Jaylin Noel

Playing-Time Outlook in Houston Remains Unclear
Dylan Sampson

Role in Cleveland Looks Secure Heading into 2026
Kirk Cousins

' Dynasty Value Fading Ahead of First Season in Las Vegas
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
George Holani

Dynasty Outlook Remains Cloudy
Jordan Westburg

to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kendre Miller

Quickly Fading From Fantasy Relevance
Keon Coleman

Is Keon Coleman a Hopeless Dynasty Asset?
Marvin Harrison Jr.

a Buy-Low Candidate in Dynasty Formats
Hollywood Brown

a Cut Candidate in Dynasty Leagues?
Darnell Mooney

Barely Inside Top-100 WR Dynasty Rankings
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Christian Kirk

Can Christian Kirk Revive his Career in Bay Area?
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
Brashard Smith

Destined to Become Special Teams Player?
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Ben Sinnott

Dynasty Value Hindered by Free-Agent TE Addition
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Sam Darnold

Should Dynasty Managers Continue to Hold Sam Darnold?
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Justin Fields

Dynasty Managers Getting Ready to Sell High on Justin Fields?
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Dallas Goedert

a Target for Dynasty Managers in Championship Window?
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Theo Johnson

Not the Primary Option in New System?
Kyle Monangai

Still Time to Buy Low on Kyle Monangai in Dynasty Leagues?
Tarik Skubal

Resumes Playing Catch, Ahead of Schedule?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

an Unheralded Dynasty Cornerstone
Karl-Anthony Towns

Making an Impact as Playmaker in Playoffs
Jalen Duren

Determined to Improve
Kevin Huerter

Tagged as Questionable for Game 6 Against Cavaliers
Caris LeVert

Considered Questionable for Friday
Duncan Robinson

Iffy for Game 6
Lane Hutson

Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

Stops 31 Pucks in Series-Clinching Win
Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Paul Reed

Makes Big Impact Off the Bench Wednesday
Daniss Jenkins

Contributes 19 Points As Starter
Cade Cunningham

Tallies 39 Points in Losing Effort
Max Strus

Notches 20 Points With Six Triples
Evan Mobley

Close to Triple-Double Wednesday
Jarrett Allen

Records Double-Double in Game 5 Win
James Harden

Leads the Way for Cavaliers in Game 5 Victory
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Matt Boldy

Posts Two Assists in Season-Ending Loss
Scott Wedgewood

Perfect in Relief Effort
Martin Necas

Records Another Multi-Point Game
Brett Kulak

Sends Avalanche Into Conference Finals
Brayden McNabb

Suspended for One Game
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury
Juan Soto

Exits Wednesday's Game Early with Ankle Injury
Pete Fairbanks

Returns From Injured List
Christian Yelich

Out With Back Tightness on Wednesday Night
Nathan MacKinnon

Chasing History Wednesday
Ryan Poehling

Won't Be an Option for Game 6
Robby Snelling

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Sprain
Francisco Alvarez

Mets Place Francisco Alvarez on Injured List With Torn Meniscus
Max Fried

Dealing With Left Elbow Posterior Soreness
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NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
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ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
Jacob Wilson

A's Place Jacob Wilson on Injured List With Shoulder Subluxation
Christian Yelich

Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
A.J. Ewing

Mets to Call Up Top Prospect A.J. Ewing
Mookie Betts

is Officially Back on Monday
Khamzat Chimaev

Suffers his First Loss
Sean Strickland

Recaptures Middleweight Title
Tatsuro Taira

Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Van

Defends Flyweight Title
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Alexander Volkov

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Shane Van Gisbergen

Dominates Watkins Glen for First Win of 2026
Michael McDowell

Finishes Second for Best Run of the Year At Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Scores New Career-Best Finish of Third at Watkins Glen
Tyler Reddick

Continues His Strong Season With Fifth-Place Run at Watkins Glen
Austin Dillon

Earns his First Top-10 Finish of 2026 at Watkins Glen
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Connor Zilisch

Will Start Fifth in his First Watkins Glen Cup Series Race
Tyler Reddick

Is A Top DFS Option for Watkins Glen Lineups
Christopher Bell

Is Likely to Bounce Back This Week at Watkins Glen
William Byron

Is William Byron Playable in DFS Lineups at Watkins Glen?
Kyle Larson

May have A Positive Day at Watkins Glen
Chase Briscoe

May Compete for A Top-10 Finish at Watkins Glen
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger May have Another Solid Outing at Watkins Glen
Ty Gibbs

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Watkins Glen?
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain Worth Rostering for Watkins Glen Lineups?
Austin Cindric

Could Austin Cindric be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Watkins Glen?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen the Heavy Favorite at Watkins Glen
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott a No-Brainer DFS Pick at Watkins Glen?
Chris Buescher

Qualifies 14th at Watkins Glen
Ryan Blaney

Has Upside at Watkins Glen After Signing Contract Extension
Michael McDowell

Still Searching for First Top-Five Finish at Watkins Glen
Carson Hocevar

Is Carson Hocevar Too Aggressive for Road-Course Racing?
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF