👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

First Data 500: Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings and FanDuel DFS Lineup Picks

Chris Durell brings you DraftKings fantasy NASCAR advice, DFS lineups picks and sleepers analysis for Chris Durell brings you DraftKings fantasy NASCAR advice, DFS lineups picks and sleepers analysis for the First Data 500 at Martinsville Superspeedway

Welcome back races fans. The first race of the Round of 8 brings the Monster Energy Cup Series to Martinsville Speedway for the First Data 500 on Sunday afternoon. It is the second trip to Martinsville and the final short track race of the season and this time around there is much more on the line as a win would put a driver into the final four at Homestead.

When looking at the race from a fantasy perspective, dominator points are king this week with 500 laps in the race. Looking at the last six races, there have been two or more drivers that have led 100 or more laps in five of the last six with three to do so in each of the last two races here. Before jumping into the picks, it is important to remember that this week is an impound race meaning that after qualifying the cars are impounded and not inspected until Sunday morning. For us in the fantasy world, this means the final starting lineup will not be official until two to three hours before the race so stay tuned for updates to the cheatsheet and my final targets for the race.

Daily Fantasy NASCAR: DraftKings and FanDuel DFS Lineup Picks - First Data 500

Kyle Busch(DK-$11,900 FD-$14,000)

Busch has been absolutely dominant here at Martinville in the last couple of years with two wins and is the only driver to finish each of the last five races inside the Top 5. He will have an excellent opportunity to add to those numbers this week as he will start first, was third in both practice sessions, and posted the fastest 10-lap average in final practice. He is the top driver to build around in all formats.

Brad Keselowski(DK-$10,200 FD-$13,500)

The other driver I will be building around in the top tier of pricing is Brad Keselowski. He is a close second to Busch in track history here at Martinsville over the last couple of years as he has a win and four Top 5's in the last five races here and is the only other driver to finish Top 10 in all five of those races. He has also shown a ton of speed this weekend ranking 1st and 4th in the two practice sessions and was 2nd in 10-lap averages in the final practice. He will also provide a bit of place differential starting 8th on Sunday.

Erik Jones(DK-$8,700 FD-$9,700)

Jones doesn't have the track history here at Martinsville with no Top 10's in his first three races here(12th, 26th, 17th) but is an excellent PTS/$ play this week. He was fast in the two practice sessions ranking 9th and 7th but stumbled a bit in qualifying and will start 24th giving us place differential upside at a mid-tier price. He also comes in with momentum having posted a Top 10 in each of the last three races. He is safe in all formats.

A.J. Allmendinger(DK-$6,200 FD-$7,700)

Allmendinger is easily my top value play in this race as he returns to Martinsville with nice track history as the only other driver outside of Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski who has four or more Top 10's in the last five races. On top of that, he provides some place differential value starting 17th this week after posting the 10th and 5th fastest laps in the two practice sessions. At his price, he is in play in all formats.

NASCAR DFS Cheat Sheet

Don't have the time to search multiple sites looking for NASCAR stats and data?

Check out my DFS NASCAR cheatsheet which includes Track History(2-Year Trend & Career), Track Type History(2-Year Trend), Current Form, Practice/Qualifying Data, and a weighted system to get an overall rank for each driver each race. Check out it now while it's still in BETA mode and FREE to everyone. Also, be sure to check out the Race by Race Trends Sheet.

DFS & Fantasy NASCAR Chat Room

If you have any questions leading up to the race hit me up in the chat below!

[iflychat_embed id="c-59" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cameron Young

Looks to Win First Career Major This Week at Aronimink
Justin Rose

Looks to Contend at Another Major Championship
Rory McIlroy

Among the Favorites This Week at Aronimink
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
Michael Mayer

More Opportunities Coming for Michael Mayer?
Brooks Koepka

Hoping Good Vibes Travel to Year's Second Major
Chris Gotterup

Needs an Accurate Driving Week For Success at PGA Championship
Philadelphia 76ers

76ers Part Ways With Daryl Morey
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Game 5 Against Cavaliers
Dylan Harper

Cleared for Action Tuesday
De'Aaron Fox

Available for Game 5 Against Timberwolves
Caris LeVert

Remains on Injury Report With Heel Issue
Duncan Robinson

Listed as Questionable for Game 5
Brandon Clarke

Dies at Age 29
Charlie McAvoy

Slapped With Six-Game Suspension
Jonas Brodin

Unavailable for Game 5 Against Avalanche
Joel Eriksson Ek

to Remain Out Wednesday
Sam Malinski

Day-to-Day With Upper-Body Injury
Jacob Wilson

A's Place Jacob Wilson on Injured List With Shoulder Subluxation
Artturi Lehkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Charlie Coyle

Lands Six-Year Extension
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

to Start Game 4 Against Canadiens
Drew Helleson

Unavailable for Game 5
Radko Gudas

Still Out Tuesday
Mark Stone

Won't Play Tuesday
Carnell Tate

Is Carnell Tate Poised for Immediate Stardom in Tennessee?
Jeremiyah Love

Will Jeremiyah Love See a Limited Role in Arizona as a Rookie?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dynasty Stock Fading Following NFL Draft
Bucky Irving

Not Yet Cleared to Participate in OTAs
Tyler Shough

Dynasty Stock Rising with Improved Supporting Cast in New Orleans
Garrett Wilson

Dynasty Upside Limited by Quarterback Questions
Christian Yelich

Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
Ted Hurst

Viewed as "True X" Receiver Going into Rookie Campaign
Kenneth Gainwell

Zac Robinson Thinks Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell Have Similar Skill Sets
Emeka Egbuka

to Settle into "Z" Role in Year 2
Trey Benson

Droppable in Some Dynasty Leagues?
Cameron Ward

Looking to Make a Year 2 Leap
Omar Cooper Jr.

to Require Some Patience in Dynasty Leagues?
Jordyn Tyson

Is Jordyn Tyson the Best Rookie Receiver in Dynasty Leagues?
Nico Collins

Still in the WR1 Tier for Dynasty Fantasy Football
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Admits He Wasn't Close to Returning Before Season Ended
Colston Loveland

Is Colston Loveland a Top-25 Dynasty Asset?
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
LeBron James

Uncertain About Future After Season-Ending Loss
Zay Flowers

Is Zay Flowers Still Undervalued Coming Off a Career Season?
Ajay Mitchell

Continues to Excel for Thunder
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
LeQuint Allen Jr.

a Steady Dynasty Riser During Quiet Jaguars Offseason
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Posts 35 Points in Series Clincher
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
Cade Cunningham

Struggles in Game 4 Loss
Shedeur Sanders

a Dynasty Hold Amid Quarterback Room Uncertainty
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
James Harden

Records 40th Postseason Double-Double
Quinshon Judkins

' Dynasty Stock on the Rise with Offensive Improvements
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
Donovan Mitchell

Ties NBA Playoff Record With 39 Second-Half Points
Tommy Fleetwood

on Upward Trend Ahead of PGA Championship
Bryson DeChambeau

a High-Upside Play With Risk at PGA Championship
Isaiah Davis

' Dynasty Value Takes a Hit Thanks to Teammate's Extension
Draymond Green

Set to Stay With Warriors
Stephen Curry

Warriors Looking to Extend Stephen Curry in Offseason
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks Listening to Offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo
OG Anunoby

Expected to Be Ready for Game 1 of East Finals
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Game 5
A.J. Ewing

Mets to Call Up Top Prospect A.J. Ewing
Kevin Huerter

to Remain Sidelined in Game 4
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 4 on Monday
Mookie Betts

is Officially Back on Monday
Nathan Eovaldi

Scratched From Monday's Start With Side Tightness
Mark Jankowski

Signs Two-Year Extension With Hurricanes
Joel Kiviranta

Cleared to Play Monday
Josh Manson

Available for Game 4 Monday
Mackenzie Blackwood

Expected to Start Monday
Jonas Brodin

Won't Play Monday
Joel Eriksson Ek

Remains Out Monday
Henry Bolte

Athletics to Promote Top Outfield Prospect Henry Bolte to Major Leagues
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
Mookie Betts

Dodgers Expect Mookie Betts to Return on Monday
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Sustains Gunshot Wound, in Stable Condition
Rasmus Dahlin

Records Two Points in Game 3 Loss
Tage Thompson

Comes Alive in Game 3 Against Canadiens
Cole Caufield

Ends Dry Spell Sunday
Alex Newhook

Nets Two More Goals in Sunday's Victory
Mitchell Marner

Notches Three Assists in Losing Effort
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
Carlos Rodón

Carlos Rodon Activated for Season Debut on Sunday
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?
Luis Castillo

Mariners Intend to Piggyback Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller
Logan Webb

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Knee Bursitis
Bryce Miller

is Set to Return on Wednesday
Jeff Hoffman

Could Return to Closer Role
Taj Bradley

Hits the Injured List With Pectoral Inflammation
Kyle Bradish

has Nice Bounce-Back Performance With 10 K's
Casey Mize

Throws Bullpen on Friday, Return Not Imminent
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Optimistic About Returning Next Wednesday
Tyler Glasnow

Dodgers Put Tyler Glasnow on Injured List With Back Spasms
Blake Snell

to Make Season Debut for Dodgers on Saturday
Cole Ragans

Royals Place Cole Ragans on Injured List With Elbow Impingement
Sean Strickland

An Underdog At UFC 328
Khamzat Chimaev

Set For UFC 328 Main Event
Tatsuro Taira

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Joshua Van

Set For His First Title Defense
Alexander Volkov

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Waldo Cortes-Acosta Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Nick Lodolo

Officially Activated, Making Season Debut on Friday
CFB

Walker Lyons Could be Go-To Target for Bear Bachmeier
CFB

Ty Benefield a Potential Game-Changer for LSU Defense
CFB

Hayden Lowe Set for Significant Role Following Miami's NFL Departures
CFB

Taylor Wein in Position for Big Season on Oklahoma's Defensive Line
CFB

Rasheem Biles an Instant Impact Player for Texas
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF