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The Round of Eight will be set in stone after this Sunday's race at Kansas Speedway, and NASCAR gets one race closer to the end of the season. Last week, I attended the 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway and had a great time while collecting some awesome content for all the RotoBallers and Garage Fam alike. As fun as superspeedway racing can be for fans, it can be a nightmare for drivers competing in the playoffs.
Four drivers (Willam Byron, Chase Elliott, Clint Bowyer, Alex Bowman) are on the bubble for Kansas, and a win could secure them a spot to continue competing. One of these drivers has most definitely earned driver pick status this week, but my sleepers are guys who have fallen out of the playoffs. The most important thing to note this late in the season when playing DFS is to be sure playoff drivers are in your lineups.
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What We Learned At Talladega
- The party doesn't stop until every camper leaves the track.
- Ryan Blaney is pulling off some sneaky moves in the playoffs.
- No driver is safe when running Dega.
- Brendan Gaughan loves flipping in race cars.
- Slam Brad K's is catching on in the sport.
DFS Lineup Sleepers - Hollywood Casino 400
Michael McDowell
McDowell didn't look his best on Friday during practice, only posting an 18th place finish in the second run with a speed of 175.718. The good news is that he should qualify towards the rear, (as usual) which is where he performs best in terms of fantasy production. McDowell has finished at this track with positive placement in all but two races since 2016.
Daniel Hemric
Hemric was an absolute show stopper in practice on Friday, posting a best speed of 177.830 in the second run. Hemric is without a ride for 2020, so there is no better way to grab a one than by racing like there is no tomorrow. Expect to see a great run from Hemric on Sunday accompanied by some good fantasy numbers (as long as he qualifies outside the Top 10).
Ryan Newman
Newman has had rough luck at this track over the past few races, but this week we could see a turning of the tide. Newman finished second at Talladega (and almost won the thing) this past Monday, and should keep the momentum going into Sunday. Newman consistently ran 14th in both practices with a best speed of 175.982.
DFS Lineup Avoids - Hollywood Casino 400
William Byron
Byron is my first choice to be knocked out of the playoffs. A big reason behind that is the sole fact that he sucks at this track. In his career of three races, Byron has managed to finish with a negative point differential. His largest being a 20th place finish after starting third back in May.
Ryan Preece
Preece and the JTG Daugherty Racing team had some rough luck heading to Kansas this week with his trailer catching fire on the way to the track. Preece is using Chris Bueschers back up car, and aside from his bad practices times and fantasy averages, the negativity seems like it could loom over him this weekend. Look elsewhere for your low-cost drivers this week.
Joey Logano
Logano is hanging by a moment like Lifehouse would say, and with him right on the cutline for the Top Eight in Kansas, I'm a little worried. Logano averages about 32 FPTS at this track, and it's obvious he has a tough time at this track since his win in 2015. Logano's best practice run landed him a 13th place finish with a speed of 174.672.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase.
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