RADIO
Sean's NASCAR DFS picks for DraftKings, FanDuel for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway (2026). His top NASCAR daily fantasy lineup plays and DFS sleepers.
Tyler Reddick achieved NASCAR history by becoming the first driver to win the opening three races in a season after winning at Circuit of the Americas. As the Cup Series heads to the desert in Phoenix Raceway, Reddick has a chance to become the first driver to have a four-race win streak at any point of the season since Jimmie Johnson in 2007 if he were to win this week's race at Phoenix. Below are my NASCAR DFS lineup picks for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 on DraftKings and FanDuel this week. This slate locks on 3/8/2026 at 3:30 p.m. EST. If you have further questions or want to discuss racing, you can find me on X at @SeanE247.
Phoenix is a 1-mile dogleg oval track known as one of NASCAR's flat tracks. This is because Phoenix is a track where the amount of banking throughout the straightaways and corners is very low, giving the track a "flat" feeling where drivers are not racing at an angle. The dogleg portion of the track is unique to Phoenix and can sometimes provide an advantage for drivers by cutting the dogleg, but those who end up maneuvering around in the wrong way could cause their tires to become damaged or fail entirely, causing crashes that change the course of a DFS contest.
This race will also mark the first race of the year with the new adjusted rules packages for teams on an oval track. Compared to last season, cars on road courses and all tracks under 1.5 miles will have increased horsepower from 670 to 750. The increase in horsepower is meant to encourage further passing and more challenging race conditions to enhance the racing product. The overall conditions for DFS do not change much compared to past races at the site despite these changes. Phoenix is all about picking drivers who can dominate, lead laps, score the best possible finish, and acquire Place Differential points where possible.
Featured Promo! Save 30% on any Premium Pass using discount code NEW. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS
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.
Ryan Blaney
Starts 5th - DK: $11.2K, FD: $14K
Team Penske is a team with plenty of success at Phoenix in the past. The team has six wins at the site in the Cup Series throughout NASCAR history, with five of its six victories being tied to its current roster of drivers. Ryan Blaney is the team's most recent winner at Phoenix, and historically has been excellent at the Arizona track.
Is Ryan @Blaney the driver to beat this weekend?
🗣️ "Phoenix is a place we've consistently run very well, especially in this car [...] Penske's always brought really fast cars there."
More with driver No. 12 from #TMDNASCAR this week→ https://t.co/MKhd9eLpQA pic.twitter.com/yImzSk7RZQ
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) March 6, 2026
In 20 starts at Phoenix, Blaney has one win, 14 top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 10.9, which ranks third-best of all drivers in the field this week. The No. 12 Ford driver has been remarkably consistent at the site with 12 top-10 finishes in the last 14 Cup events at the site and eight top-5s in the last nine.
In practice for this week's race, Blaney ranked eighth in overall lap averages, seventh in 10 consecutive lap averages, fifth in 15 consecutive lap averages, and second in 20 consecutive lap averages. This is one of Blaney's best statistical tracks, and he has a car that will be faster than most on longer green-flag runs. Fantasy players should utilize the Team Penske driver as a strong DFS option who can compete for the win.
Christopher Bell
Starts 12th - DK: $10.2K, FD: $11.5K
Joe Gibbs Racing also has a history of plenty of victories at Phoenix, with the Toyota team winning nine total throughout Cup history. The team also has the defending winner of this week's race, Christopher Bell, as a part of their roster, and he should not be underestimated this week, especially for DFS.
ANOTHER PHOTO FINISH AT PHOENIX!
Christopher Bell holds off Denny Hamlin and beats him to the finish line to get his third win in a row! pic.twitter.com/gyrSibKFSk
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) March 9, 2025
Bell has won the last two early/spring races at Phoenix and is the only driver with multiple wins at the site since 2023. In 12 total Phoenix starts, Bell has seven top-10 finishes and two wins with an average finish of 12.9. Bell also scored positive PD in each of his last four races at the site and led 50 or more laps in three of them.
In practice for Sunday's Cup race, Bell ranked 10th in 10 consecutive lap averages, seventh in 15 consecutive lap averages, and ninth in 20 consecutive lap averages. Bell has decent upside based on his starting position at one of his more favorable statistical tracks. The No. 20 driver is worth consideration for all DFS formats in this week's race.
Joey Logano
Starts 1st - DK: $9.2K, FD: $11K
One of the most successful drivers in the field at Phoenix is Joey Logano, the driver of the No. 22 Ford. As mentioned with Blaney, Team Penske has been historically very successful at Phoenix, but most of its success can be attributed to Logano, who is the organization's top driver with the most victories at the site.
It’s win number two of the season for @joeylogano as he takes the 🏁 at @phoenixraceway! #NASCAR | @shellracingus pic.twitter.com/NC2QnytQVO
— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) March 8, 2020
In 34 starts completed at Phoenix, Logano has four wins, 18 top-10 finishes, 1,093 laps led (third-most of active drivers), and an average finish of 12.8. Logano placed in the top five and led 81 or more laps in two of the last three Phoenix races. The No. 22 driver also currently sits fifth in the points standings after the first three races of the 2026 Cup Series season with three finishes of 18th or better.
During practice for this week's race at Phoenix, Logano ranked 12th in overall lap averages, 10th in 15 consecutive lap averages, and eighth in 20 consecutive lap averages. Despite having no upside since he starts at the front, Logano is in a prime position to dominate the race from the beginning, lead plenty of laps, and compete for the win.
Did you know RotoBaller has a Premium DFS NASCAR subscription? Like what you read today? You can show your support for Sean -- save 30% with code NEW when purchasing any NASCAR Premium Pass. Gain exclusive access to all of our expert Premium NASCAR articles, DFS tools, and Lineup Optimizer! Be sure to check out screenshots of NASCAR DFS winners and testimonials from RotoBaller readers and writers who have been winning using RotoBaller's Premium tools.
Great day today thanks for some extra help from @RotoBaller @FanRacingOnline @JoeNicely pic.twitter.com/mAIMTaEYWc
— brent buckner (@tenndolly2) August 7, 2023
Chris Buescher
Starts 17th - DK: $8.5K, FD: $8.5K
One driver who could be overlooked as a solid DFS option for this week's race at Phoenix is Chris Buescher. The RFK Racing driver has been one of the more solid and consistent drivers in terms of finishing results ever since NASCAR switched to the Next-Gen car in 2022.
In 20 races at Phoenix, the No. 17 Ford driver has 13 top-20 finishes and an average finish of 18.2. Each of the last six races at Phoenix has seen Buescher place in the top 15, with four of those races resulting in top-10 finishes. Buescher also gained positive PD in six out of eight Phoenix races since 2022.
"It certainly looks promising from where I was at."
NASCAR driver Chris Buescher on the increased horsepower at Phoenix Raceway.@sportscronkite pic.twitter.com/ti9M1M0eDP
— Andrew Hayslett (@AndrewJHayslett) March 7, 2026
In practice for this week's race, Buescher ranked first in overall lap averages and sixth in both 10 and 15 consecutive lap averages. Despite having a flat tire in practice, Buescher still qualified in a position that provides upside for Sunday's race. The No. 17 driver is a solid DFS choice for all formats based on past history at Phoenix and practice speeds.
Connor Zilisch
Starts 19th - DK: $7.5K, FD: $7K
NASCAR Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch could be one to watch for this week's Cup race at Phoenix. This will be the first time that Zilisch will drive at Phoenix in a Cup Series car, but he has driven at the site in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he made three starts at the Arizona track.
In three races at Phoenix in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, Zilisch has two top-5 finishes with a career-best finish of third and an average finish of 7.7. He also led in his last two Phoenix appearances in that series. Zilisch currently sits 33rd in points after the first three races, but this was due to two finishes outside of the top 30, where he was affected by car damage.
In practice for this week's race, Zilisch ranked 26th in overall lap averages, ninth in 10 and 15 consecutive lap averages, sixth in 20 consecutive lap averages, and fourth in 25 consecutive lap averages. Zilisch has some decent upside from his starting position, and his practice speeds indicate that he can compete for a top-10 finish in this week's race.
Anthony Alfredo
Starts 31st - DK: $6.5K, FD: $7.5K
Normally, the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports would be driven by Alex Bowman. However, Bowman was diagnosed with vertigo earlier in the week and will be out for this week's race. Hendrick Motorsports sim driver and O'Reilly Series regular Anthony Alfredo will be the substitute for Bowman this week at Phoenix.
Anthony Alfredo spoke to the media earlier as he gets ready to drive the Hendrick 48 at Phoenix in place of Alex Bowman (vertigo)
Alfredo recognizes that it's a big opportunity for him to maybe turn some heads, but admits it's "hard for me to be excited" given the circumstances… pic.twitter.com/onVUUU6jE5
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) March 6, 2026
Alfredo has two previous Cup Series starts at Phoenix, both with Front Row Motorsports in 2021. His best finish in those two starts was 34th, and he was involved in crashes in both of his starts at the Arizona track. In the O'Reilly Series, Alfredo has two top-10 finishes in nine starts, including a finish of 10th earlier this weekend.
In practice for this week's race, Alfredo ranked 21st in overall lap averages, 15th in 10 consecutive lap averages, 12th in 15 consecutive lap averages, 11th in 20 consecutive lap averages, eighth in 25 consecutive lap averages, and fifth in 30 consecutive lap averages. Alfredo qualified deep in the field, giving him plenty of potential upside, especially with top-notch equipment that can place in the top 20.
More NASCAR Analysis and Picks
The Keys to Weekly NASCAR Success
NASCAR is back, and it's time for you to win more with RotoBaller! Our NASCAR Premium Package for DFS and betting features several heavy hitters and proven winners.
Jordan McAbee anchors the team with his exclusive NASCAR DFS and betting picks, DFS projections and algorithm-predicted finishing order! Jordan has a 100+ unit betting profit since 2023, and a 25% average annual profit since 2018. He won the FSWA Racing Writer Of The Year award in 2023, and was nominated for DFS Writer Of The Year in 2024.
