RADIO
Sean Engel's NASCAR Cup Series DFS picks for the FireKeepers Casino 400. Check out his DFS sleepers and top plays on DraftKings and FanDuel for the FireKeepers Casino 400 (2025).
From the Music City of Nashville to the Irish Hills in Michigan, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Michigan International Speedway for this week's FireKeepers Casino 400. Michigan is a D-shaped two-mile oval track known for being one of the fastest overall tracks that the Cup Series visits yearly. This track contains multiple passing lanes, which offer numerous passing opportunities, especially as drivers can eclipse 200 mph going into the corners.
Michigan will use the same rules and setup package that teams have used on intermediate tracks such as Kansas, Charlotte, or Las Vegas. Although the racing will not be the same as those tracks, fantasy players should expect to implement similar strategies for lineup construction for DFS this week. However, while it is important to chase potential dominators who can lead many laps at a time, Michigan is a track where making passes is a bit easier than those mentioned tracks, meaning that Place Differential can be a factor for choosing which drivers to add into lineups this week.
Below are my NASCAR DFS lineup picks for the FireKeepers Casino 400 on DraftKings and FanDuel this week. This slate locks on 6/08/2025 at 2:00 p.m. EST. If you have further questions or want to discuss racing, you can find me on X at @SeanE247.
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 50% off using code SUMMER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
DFS Lineup Picks - DraftKings, FanDuel
Once you've read this article, be sure also to check out all of our other weekly NASCAR DFS articles to help you set your optimal DFS lineups. You should also check out our NASCAR DFS lineup tools for the ultimate combination of DFS resources to help you win big, including our Lineup Optimizer, DFS Cheat Sheet, Research Station, and more.
Disclaimer: All the drivers presented as picks for this week's race are meant to be some of my top DFS recommendations of the week. They are not originally intended to fit all into one lineup.
Denny Hamlin
Starts 3rd - DK: $10.7K, FD: $13.5K
Denny Hamlin opens up this week's selection of drivers once again, like last week at Nashville. He did end up racing the entire race and put together a strong performance, winning the first stage, leading the second-most laps overall behind eventual winner Ryan Blaney (79), and finishing in the third position.
Michigan is a strong track historically for Hamlin as well throughout his Cup career. In 34 overall starts at the site, Hamlin has two wins, 19 top-10 finishes (most of active drivers), 263 laps led (tied for third-most of active drivers), and an average finish of 12.2. The No. 11 Toyota driver also placed in the top 10 in the last seven Cup events at MIS, and he also led one or more laps in six of them.
In practice, Hamlin ranked 24th in overall lap averages, fifth in five consecutive lap averages, and sixth in 10 consecutive lap averages. Similarly to last week, Hamlin may be on baby watch, and there is still a small chance that he may not race on Sunday. If that is the case, be ready to pivot to another driver like his teammate mentioned below, or either of the Hendrick Motorsports duo of Kyle Larson (DK: $11K | FD: $14K) or William Byron (DK: $10K | FD: $12K), who are both strong alternatives who also have the capacity to become dominators.
#NASCAR … Denny Hamlin on baby watch status while at Michigan … pic.twitter.com/CnlOHJU3RO
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) June 7, 2025
Christopher Bell
Starts 25th - DK: $10.2K, FD: $11.5K
Joe Gibbs Racing has not won a single race at Michigan since Matt Kenseth's third and final victory at the site back in August 2015. That is almost 10 years, and that was back when the Cup Series ran at the site twice per season. For one reason or another, JGR puts together many promising and close runs at Michigan, but can never seal the finish that they're looking for in victory lane.
Similarly, that can also describe Christopher Bell's past history at Michigan. In six previous races at the site, Bell has never scored a single top-10 finish, but he did score positive PD twice, and he led at least one lap in three of the last four Cup events there.
This season, however, Bell has been performing at a higher level and is the highest-placing Toyota driver in the 2025 standings after 14 Cup races in third. He also has three wins, an average finish of 10.9, and is tied for the series lead with 10 top-10 finishes. Perhaps more incredible is his consistency this year as he has only finished lower than 12th three times this year, with two of those being due to crashes.
Chase Briscoe was the fastest driver in #NASCAR Cup Series practice at Michigan. It was a 1-2 sweep for @JoeGibbsRacing as Christopher Bell was P2. Chris Buescher, Alex Bowman, and Austin Dillon made up the rest of the top-five in the session.
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) June 7, 2025
In practice, Bell ranked third in overall lap averages and had the fastest five consecutive lap average. He starts deeper in the field this week and provides plenty of upside. Bell's unremarkable Michigan finishes may chase some fantasy players away, but he is well worth rostering due to his excellent performance this season, upside, and favorable practice speeds.
Carson Hocevar
Starts 14th - DK: $8K, FD: $9K
After what happened at last week's race at Nashville, Carson Hocevar was the most talked-about driver throughout media circles. There were a few factors for why he was discussed, such as his run-in with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and matching the best finish of his Cup career of second. One other talking point about Hocevar that has not been discussed as often is how this weekend at Michigan seems lined up for him to succeed.
#NASCAR … I asked Carson Hocevar if this week was exhausting or distracting because of having to deal with the fallout from Nashville. This is what he said … pic.twitter.com/mIZxaszIyP
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) June 7, 2025
Hocevar is from Portage, Michigan, meaning this track is a home race for him. That usually motivates most drivers to perform better in front of their hometown crowd. In his only Cup Series start at Michigan last season as a rookie, he placed 10th and led three laps after starting 11th. The No. 77 Chevrolet driver also participated in this week's Truck race at MIS, where he led the most laps and was arguably the top favorite to win before a late-race flat tire forced him to pit road, which led to his eventual finish of 11th.
In practice, Hocevar ranked ninth in overall lap averages, 13th in five consecutive lap averages, and 15th in 10 consecutive lap averages. Compared to most drivers in his salary range, Hocevar has a bit more upside with equipment capable of competing for a top-10 finish.
In NASCAR history, no driver from Michigan has ever won a Cup race at MIS. If any driver in the field has a realistic chance, even as a long shot, Hocevar may be the best driver to change that statistic.
Did you know RotoBaller has a Premium DFS NASCAR subscription? Like what you read today? You can show your support for Sean -- save 30% with code NEW when purchasing any NASCAR Premium Pass. Gain exclusive access to all of our expert Premium NASCAR articles, DFS tools, and Lineup Optimizer! Be sure to check out screenshots of NASCAR DFS winners and testimonials from RotoBaller readers and writers who have been winning using RotoBaller's Premium NASCAR tools.
Great day today thanks for some extra help from @RotoBaller @FanRacingOnline @JoeNicely pic.twitter.com/mAIMTaEYWc
— brent buckner (@tenndolly2) August 7, 2023
Ryan Preece
Starts 23rd - DK: $7K, FD: $6K
All three of the RFK Racing entries for this week's race make for highly favorable DFS options for this week's race at Michigan. Chris Buescher (DK: $7.8K | FD: $8.2K) won at Michigan two years ago and looked very fast through practice, making him a great tournament option. Team owner and driver Brad Keselowski (DK: $7.5K | FD: $8K) also has an outstanding history at Michigan despite never winning there, as well as extremely high upside from his starting position that makes him playable in all DFS formats.
Ryan Preece, however, is the one who should not be overlooked from the team's three drivers. In seven Cup starts at Michigan, Preece has never finished lower than 25th and placed 16th or better three times, including last year's race at the site where he placed 11th with Stewart-Haas Racing, a team that was not as fast or as consistent as RFK. The most impressive stat to hammer home about Preece is that he has never finished a single Cup race at Michigan with negative PD, meaning he finished ahead of his starting position every time he raced at the site.
A red flag for the No. 88 caps off Group 1 practice ✅
P4: @RyanPreece_ (194.274MPH)
P6: @keselowski (193.992MPH)Ryan ran 26 laps, Brad ran 17. pic.twitter.com/hr4Z8izuhX
— RFK Racing (@RFKracing) June 7, 2025
In practice, Preece ranked 23rd in overall lap averages, 12th in 10 consecutive lap averages, and displayed top-5 speeds in the 15 and 20 consecutive lap average categories. Considering his cheap salary, especially on FanDuel, his overall performance this season with eight top-20 finishes through 14 races, and his practice speeds, Preece is a great driver to choose for DFS lineups on Sunday.
Erik Jones
Starts 22nd - DK: $6.7K, FD: $6.5K
Another Michigan driver, Erik Jones, should not be overlooked as a respectable value option for DFS lineups this week. Legacy Motor Club gained speed throughout the course of the 2025 season compared to one year ago, and it is showing through their results. Through 14 races so far in 2025, Jones has an average finish of 20.9 and eight top-20 finishes, including four of the last five Cup events.
The No. 43 Toyota driver historically is a solid driver at Michigan, scoring 10 top-20 finishes in 12 Cup Series starts. This includes the last four Cup races at the site, and he also gained positive PD in his last three.
22nd isn't where we planned to start tomorrow, but we'll work hard at it and boogie when it counts. Just happy to be home for the week and ready to keep our momentum rolling. #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/GxBdF9XaoK
— Erik Jones (@Erik_Jones) June 7, 2025
In practice, Jones ranked 21st in overall lap averages and 30th in five consecutive lap averages. Despite the slow practice speeds, Jones should still be a factor for a favorable finish based on his Michigan history and his 2025 consistency for the price.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Starts 30th - DK: $6K, FD: $4.2K
There are a few deep value sleeper options worth consideration for this week's race at Michigan, but Stenhouse is one of the best that should not be overlooked this week.
In 20 starts at Michigan, Stenhouse has 10 top-20 finishes, including three of the last five Cup events at the site and an average finish of 21.7. Stenhouse also collected positive PD in five of the last six Michigan Cup races. The No. 47 Chevrolet driver has been consistent for most of the season with nine top-20 finishes and an average finish of 18.4 through the first 14 races.
In practice, Stenhouse ranked 13th in overall lap averages, 20th in 10 consecutive lap averages, and seventh in 15 consecutive lap averages. Expect Stenhouse to bounce back from crashing out last week and to take advantage of his huge upside in the process, making him worth rostering for all DFS formats.
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.
