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Sean's NASCAR DFS picks for DraftKings, FanDuel for the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway (2026). His top NASCAR daily fantasy lineup plays and DFS sleepers.
The Daytona 500 is now in the rear view with Tyler Reddick claiming his first win in the Great American Race for 23XI Racing. Now the Cup Series advances to EchoPark Speedway for the second race of the season. Below are my NASCAR DFS lineup picks for the Autotrader 400 on DraftKings and FanDuel this week. This slate locks on 2/22/2026 at 3:00 p.m. EST. If you have further questions or want to discuss racing, you can find me on X at @SeanE247.
For years, EchoPark was known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, a track that once started out as a longtime 1.5-mile Intermediate track mainstay on NASCAR's schedule. In 2022, the track was reconfigured and changed rules packages to have it become NASCAR's third drafting track outside of Daytona and Talladega. Atlanta has become one of the more unpredictable tracks in the Cup Series since the track changed around, but it has also held some of the more exciting finishes in recent memory.
DFS players who are setting lineups should treat this race at EchoPark similarly to other races at Daytona or Talladega. In other words, Place Differential and finishing position will be crucial in determining which lineups are most successful. Since it is a drafting track, any driver can have a strong performance, as drafting equalizes speeds regardless of equipment level. While any driver could be a strong DFS play, consider where each driver is starting this week, especially when deciding whether to enter a lineup for cash games or tournaments. Remember, the closer a driver starts to the front, the better suited they are for a tournament compared to cash.
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.
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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.
Ryan Blaney
Starts 22nd - DK: $10.2K, FD: $14K
At drafting tracks, Team Penske tends to have some of the fastest cars and always competes for the win. It should not be a surprise to see one of their drivers receive serious consideration for DFS lineups. Ryan Blaney is the most consistent in terms of finishing position of the three Penske drivers at EchoPark Speedway in the past, and he is also likely to be a high fantasy scorer in this week's race.
In eight races at Atlanta since 2022, Blaney leads all drivers in top-10 finishes (six), is tied for the most top-5 finishes (four), and led 107 laps (seventh-most in that span). The No. 12 Ford driver led in seven of eight total events since 2022 at the site and also earned three top-5s in his last four.
Although he is the most expensive driver to add to rosters this week, Blaney is worth paying up for in DFS contests. The Penske driver starts towards the middle of the field, giving him solid upside, has top-notch equipment, and historically is a top performer at both Atlanta and other drafting tracks. Out of the three Penske drivers, he is the best all-around choice for all formats this week.
Christopher Bell
Starts 32nd - DK: $9.2K, FD: $10.5K
The defending winner of this race from one year ago, Christopher Bell, is another driver to heavily consider for this week's race at EchoPark Speedway. Bell is looking to rebound after leading nine laps and crashing during the Daytona 500.
Christopher Bell was the leader at the moment of caution.
He wins at Atlanta. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/7cCdrH3Mca
— NASCAR on USA (@NASCARonNBC) February 24, 2025
In eight starts at Atlanta, Bell has one win and three top-5 finishes. Two of Bell's top-5s came within the last three races at the site, and he obtained positive PD five times since 2022 at Atlanta. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver remains the only Toyota driver to have won at Atlanta since the track was reconfigured in 2022.
Qualifying was cancelled due to the weather in Atlanta this week, so starting positions were set by NASCAR's qualifying metric, which factors in last week's finishing position. As a result, Bell has a starting position deep in the field with incredibly high upside. Fantasy players looking for a safer DFS option who comes from one of the top teams in the sport should consider Bell for Sunday's race at Atlanta.
Kyle Busch
Starts 14th - DK: $8.8K, FD: $9K
One driver who could end up as a sneaky option for this week's race is Richard Childress Racing's Kyle Busch. Notably, Busch was one of the three drivers involved in EchoPark's most memorable three-wide finish in 2024, where he lost by mere inches to Daniel Suarez. That was one of Busch's closest chances to break his long winless streak of 94 races that he has endured since 2023.
3-WIDE AT THE LINE! WHAT A FINISH. Repost to congratulate Daniel Suárez on his Atlanta Motor Speedway WIN! pic.twitter.com/RdewRqJiwg
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 26, 2024
Despite that near miss, Atlanta represents one of the best tracks for Busch to be competitive in recent years. In eight races at the site since 2022, Busch has five top-10 finishes, which were all earned in his last six appearances. He also scored positive PD in his last six Atlanta races and led multiple laps in three of the last four. Also, Busch won the Truck Series race at Atlanta earlier in the weekend on Saturday.
Kyle Busch WINS the @NASCAR_Trucks race in Atlanta! What a show. pic.twitter.com/azkFnj9PAF
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 21, 2026
The No. 8 Chevrolet driver does not carry as much upside as some other drivers this week from his starting position, but he still carries just enough to be worth consideration. Busch is one of the more consistent drivers to finish well at this track, and RCR has been fairly strong at the drafting tracks in particular. Fantasy players should not underestimate Busch as a quality DFS option this week.
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Ross Chastain
Starts 21st - DK: $8.1K, FD: $7.8K
The next driver to mention is another racer who raced in a lower series at Atlanta this weekend, Ross Chastain. The Trackhouse Racing driver raced in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at the site on Saturday night, where he was fighting for the win on the final lap. Ultimately, he finished in the sixth position after contact with Austin Hill caused Chastain to drop out of the lead.
SHELDON CREED FINALLY GETS THE WIN! pic.twitter.com/w0SQfhqn2S
— Rubbin is Racing (@rubbinisracing) February 22, 2026
In eight races at Atlanta since 2022, Chastain has six finishes of 13th or better with an average finish of 14.1. Four of those finishes were top-10 finishes, and he led laps in five different events at the site. Chastain also collected positive PD in seven of eight Cup events since 2022 at Atlanta.
With Chastain starting this week's race in the middle of the pack, he has fair upside that makes him a solid option to consider for DFS lineups. Chastain is known for his consistency at this track, and the extra track time he had in the O'Reilly Series is an advantage for this race. Fantasy players should consider Chastain for all DFS formats, especially in FanDuel contests, where his salary makes him easy to add.
Erik Jones
Starts 23rd - DK: $6.3K, FD: $4.8K
Legacy Motor Club's Erik Jones is a value option who should not be overlooked for DFS lineups this week. The No. 43 Toyota driver and former Daytona winner is looking to bounce back this week after finishing 21st in last week's Daytona 500.
In eight races at EchoPark since 2022, Jones has five top-15 finishes, including a fifth-place finish in his last appearance at the site. The average finish for Jones in that span is also 15.5. Jones also posted positive PD in seven races at EchoPark since 2022.
Only four drivers have started all eight races at the reconfigured EchoPark Speedway and not had a DNF:
Bubba Wallace
Michael McDowell
Justin Haley
Erik Jones pic.twitter.com/rZBKKR9jFF— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) February 20, 2026
Since starting positions were set by NASCAR instead of through qualifying, Jones has decent upside from starting in the middle of the pack. Due to this upside, as well as his overall consistency and cap flexibility, Jones is worth rostering in all formats for DFS this week.
A.J. Allmendinger
Starts 19th - DK: $5.6K, FD: $3.5K
One other value driver who should not be ignored by fantasy players this week is A.J. Allmendinger. The Dinger finished 19th during last week's Daytona 500 and also led a single lap. Even though the Kaulig Racing driver is known more for his road course skills, Atlanta is a favorable track for Allmendinger.
In four starts completed at Atlanta, Allmendinger finished 16th or better every time and has an average finish of 11.3. Allmendinger's average finish at Atlanta ranks third among active drivers since 2022. The 2023 summer race at Atlanta remains Allmendinger's best result at the site since the 2022 reconfiguration, where he led six laps before finishing in third.
Allmendinger offers respectable upside based on his starting position since he starts around the middle of the pack. Although there are a few other drivers with more upside, none of them have the proven finish consistency of Allmendinger. Look for the No. 16 driver to be a difference-maker for DFS lineups as a value option who can save plenty of cap flexibility.
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