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Sean's NASCAR DFS picks for DraftKings, FanDuel for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (2026). His top NASCAR daily fantasy lineup plays and DFS sleepers.
Before diving into this week's DFS breakdown and picks, the monumental loss for NASCAR and motorsports racing has to be acknowledged. The world lost two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the age of 41. As the winner of 234 NASCAR National Series races since entering the sport in 2001, there are few figures who have made a major impact in NASCAR both on and off the track on the level of "Rowdy" Busch. Whether you loved him or loved rooting against him, he was a fierce competitor who made sure his presence left a mark, and he certainly will for years to come.
We are saddened and heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion and one of our sport's greatest and fiercest drivers. He was 41 years old.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and the entire… pic.twitter.com/FARIF6OKrw
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The show must go on in NASCAR, as it now heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the longest Cup Series race of the year, the Coca-Cola 600. This race is one of the main crown jewel events and is a true test of endurance, as it starts during the day and ends at night. Below are my NASCAR DFS lineup picks for the Coca-Cola 600 on DraftKings and FanDuel this week. This slate locks on 5/24/2026 at 6:00 p.m. EST. If you have further questions or want to discuss racing, you can find me on X at @SeanE247.
Charlotte is a 1.5-mile Intermediate oval track and will be the fourth different race run at this track type after Las Vegas, Kansas, and Texas. The main difference with this week's race compared to races at the other tracks is the increased lap count. This will put an emphasis on rostering drivers for DFS lineups, as there will be plenty of points available from leading laps and scoring fastest laps. However, with changes in track conditions expected to be constant as the race progresses, there will also be some drivers who will gain and lose significant amounts of points through Place Differential. With all of this in mind, fantasy players should center lineup construction with a focus on leading laps, upside, and picking drivers who are expected to make it to the end with a favorable result. The right combination of drivers is key and will determine the difference between DFS success and failure this week.
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.
Our NASCAR Premium Package also comes with exclusive access to Jordan McAbee's DFS/betting picks, projections, and algorithm-predicted finishing order. Jordan's betting track record: 100+ units profit since 2023, 25% yearly average profit since 2018.
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 11th - DK: $11.5K, FD: $14K
At the 1.5-mile ovals, no driver has arguably been more competitive and towards the front than Denny Hamlin. The No. 11 Toyota driver led more laps than anyone at the track type (286) and finished in the top five in every single race this season. This includes a win at Las Vegas, which, out of that track, Texas, and Kansas, may be the closest in layout to Charlotte.
VIDEO: Denny Hamlin pre-race press conference from Charlotte Motor Speedway
🎥 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/14dGv4nUbw
— Speedway Digest (@speedwaydigest) May 24, 2026
In 34 Cup starts at Charlotte, Hamlin has one win, 21 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 12.5, which ranks third-best of all active drivers. In the last four Cup events at Charlotte, Hamlin has two top-5 finishes and led in three different races. He also scored positive PD in five of his last six points-paying races at Charlotte.
In practice for this week's race, Hamlin displayed top-10 speeds in the 10 and 15 consecutive lap average categories, ranking as high as fourth in 15 consecutive lap averages. With his starting position being just outside the top 10, Hamlin has some decent upside while being considered one of the top favorites to compete for the win, especially as a veteran with plenty of experience racing the Coca-Cola 600.
Tyler Reddick
Starts 1st - DK: $11K, FD: $13.5K
The Coca-Cola 600 is all about team execution, improving a car against changing track conditions, and making the most out of the day. Perhaps there has arguably been no better team than Tyler Reddick's No. 45 team in this season, as he is the championship leader with the most wins (five) and the best overall average finish (5.7) after 12 Cup races.
In seven Cup races in his career at Charlotte, Reddick has five top-10 finishes and an average finish of 10.3, which ranks best of all active drivers. Reddick also led laps and gained positive PD in four of the last five Cup races at Charlotte. Overall, the North Carolina oval is one of Reddick's better tracks, regardless of the teams he has driven for in the past.
In practice for this week's Cup race, Reddick ranked 11th in 15 consecutive lap averages and overall lap averages. Despite not having the fastest overall fireoff speed, Reddick has been strong on the 1.5-mile Intermediate ovals this season, with two top-5s at the track type. Do not underestimate Reddick's potential to dominate the race early and compete for the win over time.
William Byron
Starts 31st - DK: $9.5K, FD: $12.5K
Hendrick Motorsports has had only two wins this season, both by Chase Elliott. While Elliott is a solid DFS option overall for this week's race, it's his teammate, William Byron, who deserves a bit of attention for lineups this week. Charlotte is one of Byron's best tracks, and although he has not been close to the front much this season, he should not be ignored this week.
In nine starts in his Cup career at Charlotte, Byron has five top-10 finishes with an average finish of 13.7, ranking seventh-best among active drivers. Four of the last five Cup races at Charlotte have ended with Byron finishing in the top five, including each of the last three. He also dominated last year's Coca-Cola 600, leading 283 laps before losing the lead late to Ross Chastain.
In practice for this week's Cup race, Byron ranked first in overall lap averages, and he has a deep starting position towards the back after qualifying was canceled due to weather. Due to his massive upside and great track history, Byron is a quality DFS option for all formats in this week's race.
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Brad Keselowski
Starts 26th - DK: $8K, FD: $8K
Another longtime veteran driver who has displayed some success at Charlotte before is Brad Keselowski. The No. 6 Ford driver has also quietly been proficient in terms of finishing positive at 1.5-mile Intermediate ovals this year, with two top-10 finishes and a worst finish of 13th in three races at the track type.
VIDEO: Brad Keselowski pre-race press conference from Charlotte Motor Speedway
🎥#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/vNvFu0sISM
— Speedway Digest (@speedwaydigest) May 23, 2026
In 26 Cup races at Charlotte, Keselowski has two wins, 12 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 13.6, which ranks sixth among active drivers. Keselowski placed in the top five in the last two Charlotte Cup races after starting 30th or worse in both instances. He also led laps in each of his last two Charlotte appearances as well.
In practice for this week's race, Keselowski ranked 10th in 10 consecutive lap averages and has a deeper starting position after qualifying was rained out. Fantasy players should highly consider Keselowski for this week's race, as his upside is high.
Corey Heim
Starts 39th - DK: $6.9K, FD: $6.2K
Making another part-time start in a fourth entry for 23XI Racing this week is Corey Heim. This will be his first Cup Series start at Charlotte, and his fourth overall for the 2026 season.
In three Truck Series starts at Charlotte, Heim has been excellent with two finishes of second or better, including a win in 2025. He also led 219 laps combined through his three Truck starts, which is more than any other driver in that span by a wide margin. This will be Heim's third race at a 1.5-mile Intermediate oval in Cup after finishing 15th at Kansas and leading 69 laps at Texas.
Wooooo Corey Heim! pic.twitter.com/UYQUFBkja2
— B R A D E N (@TheBraden_) May 23, 2026
In practice for this week's race, Heim ranked 15th in 10 consecutive lap averages, but also scraped the wall. Due to qualifying being canceled, starting positions were awarded based on the NASCAR rule book, which has Heim starting last among all drivers. He will be the safest pick in the field with nobody having greater upside this week, making him an essential option for DFS lineups, but especially cash games.
Zane Smith
Starts 19th - DK: $5.5K, FD: $4.8K
Fantasy players looking for a deeper value DFS option should consider taking a look at Front Row Motorsports driver Zane Smith. Among the drivers below the $6K range this week, Smith is perhaps the most appealing to consider alongside Riley Herbst. Smith, however, has more experience in racing at Charlotte compared to Herbst.
In three Cup starts at Charlotte, Smith has two DNFs due to accidents, but did score a top-10 finish and led three laps in his best race at the site in 2023. Smith was also a top-notch performer in the Truck Series at Charlotte, scoring three top-10 finishes while leading multiple laps in four different races.
Throwback to the last truck race @CLTMotorSpdwy where @zanesmith77 put on a show, competing with some of the best in the truck, coming home in third! Only finished behind the 2 cup drivers in the field! pic.twitter.com/1udnqTRCKr
— LFGZS (@LFGZS_) May 25, 2021
In practice for this week's race, Smith ranked 13th in 10 consecutive lap averages, second in 15 consecutive lap averages, and was fastest in the 20 and 25 consecutive lap average categories. Although he may not carry as much upside as a few others in this tier, he is worth DFS consideration, especially after finishing 14th at Las Vegas earlier in the year.
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