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First Data 500: DFS NASCAR Lineup Sleepers And Drivers To Avoid

The NASCAR playoffs are rolling strong as we head into the Round of 8. Last week in Kansas, there were plenty of things that didn't go as planned, but it ended up making an exciting race for the fans in overtime. Denny Hamlin pulled off his 5th victory of the season, and put up the most fantasy points at the last run in Kansas for 2019 (119.25).

Brad Keselowski had an unfortunate ending to his playoff hopes after starting fourth, and finishing the race 19th. Keselowski was popular play, and was a favorite to pull off the win in Kansas. I'm not sure exactly what happened to him, but it seemed as if he couldn't get the car to do what he needed it to do, and as a result, it sent Chase Elliott into the next round.

This week, NASCAR hits up Martinsville Speedway for the last time this year, and there are plenty of challenges for drivers at this track. Mainly the paperclip shape of pit road, and the crazy restarts. Expect to see the usual suspects do well here, but there's definitely some guys that could give you an edge, and some that could kill your lineups completely.

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What We Learned At Kansas

  • Kevin Harvick doesn't disappoint from the rear (like ever).
  • William Byron hit the wow button with 66.25 FPTS
  • Brad Keselowski won't be joining The Round of 8.
  • Daniel Hemric shouldn't be started in your fantasy lineups from the pole

 

DFS Lineup Sleepers - First Data 400

Kurt Busch

Busch has most certainly had his ups and downs at The Paperclip, but he could end up being a good producer this Sunday. Busch ended his Top 10 drought in 2018 at this track, but with talks still happening with him and Chip Ganassi Racing, it could give him a mental push to ride the lighting. Busch finished the second practice in third with a speed of 95.704, and qualified 25th.

Ryan Preece

Preece is a bit of a crapshoot, but I'm counting on his race to win Rookie of The Year to be his motivation over the next few races. Preece came out swinging in the second practice on Saturday, finishing behind Daniel Hemric (his ROY competition) in fifth with a speed of 95.477. He starts in P21 this Sunday.

Austin Dillon

Dillon was one of my driver picks for the STP 500, and he didn't disappoint one bit in that race finishing in 11th, and racking up 62.50 FPTS. I don't see a repeat happening this weekend, but I still don't want to take away from his good runs at this track. Dillon starts in P23 on Sunday, and (weird stat) when he's started in the 20's since the start of his career, he's produced three out of five great fantasy days.

 

DFS Lineup Avoids - First Data 400

Michael McDowell

McDowell had a killer run in qualifying, (like some crazy wild stuff) but if you think starting him in your lineup from P5 sounds like a good idea, then you should probably stick to playing other sports in DFS. McDowell has never hit a Top 10 at this track, and constantly drops spots. I'm going to go ahead and name McDowell my "Trash Can Special" this week because he will trash your lineup faster than Chase Elliott did in Dover.

Erik Jones

Mr. Jones was a cool song by The Counting Crows, but they weren't singing about Erik Jones at this track. Jones qualified eighth, and had a decent day in practice, but something about The Paperclip gets Jones clipped too tight. The only race where he finished with positive placement was his first career race at this track.

Daniel Suarez

What can I say about this pick except, "SURPRISE, Its no surprise"? Suarez has just been boo all season if I'm going to be honest, and I don't expect to see any type of redemption the rest of the way. Suarez had one Top 10 practice run and qualified ninth, but it should be another mediocre run on Sunday, and you'll have better luck filling the spot with someone else.

 

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

More Fantasy NASCAR Analysis



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
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