RADIO
The bad thing about having all three NASCAR series at the same track this weekend? Same day qualifying for the Truck and Xfinity races. That means this is publishing before we know starting spots, which really alters how you build a lineup. So, keep an eye out on social media for the starting grid and use today's advice as a guideline.
Anyway, we have the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season finale. A new champion will be crowned on Friday night. Will it be Ty Majeski, Ben Rhodes, Chandler Smith or Zane Smith that wins the title/\?
Here at RotoBaller, we want to help you make informed decisions about your DFS lineups, which is why I'll be breaking down the slates for the Truck Series. Let's look at some NASCAR Truck Series DFS lineup picks for the Lucas Oil 150 on DraftKings. Be sure to also check out our NASCAR Premium Tools for Truck Series including our DFS Lineup Optimizer and powerful Research Station. This slate locks on 11/4/2022 at 10:16 p.m. ET.
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Post-Qualifying Updates
Check back later for updates after qualifying.
UPDATE
Zane Smith is on the pole, so he has a good shot to lead laps early on. Chandler Smith is the closest thing to a place differential play of the final four, as he starts 12th.
Tanner Gray was identified as a possible play in this article, but with him qualifying fourth, I think I'm out. Too much PD downside.
Some drivers I'll likely have in a good number of lineups: Grant Enfinger, Carson Hocevar, Tyler Ankrum, Johnny Sauter and Austin Wayne Self, who becomes my new favorite value driver.
Comparing The Top Options
Five drivers cost at least $10,000 this week. Let's talk about them.
Chandler Smith ($11,000): Smith enters the weekend as one of the four title contenders and is the highest priced on DraftKings of the four. He actually won this race last year despite not being a playoff driver, qualifying on the pole and leading 39 of the 150 laps. He should be considered the slight favorite going into Friday night's race.
Zane Smith ($10,800): Smith's run here twice. In 2020, he led 48 laps and finished second, and then in 2021 he finished fifth and didn't lead. I think the other Smith, Chandler, is the favorite here, but I'd definitely pencil Zane in as the second-best pick to win this race and will want to have him in roughly as many lineups as I have Chandler.
Ty Majeski ($10,600): It's really hard to get a read on Majeski. Until recently, he didn't have any career victories, until he's won two of the last three races. He's peaking at the right time, but you have to wonder if he'll be able to make it through the rigors of the championship race. He was fastest in practice, so there's a good sign if you do decide to play him, but I just...IDK, have a gut feeling that Majeski's positioned worse than the other Championship 4 drivers.
John Hunter Nemechek ($10,400): Ehh. At this price, Nemechek really needs to win this race to pay off. He's had some solid runs here before including a pair of runner-up finishes, but I just don't really see a scenario where a non-playoff driver wins.
Corey Heim ($10,200): Same scenario for Heim here as Nemechek. Fast truck, but one of the Championship 4 will almost certainly win. Heim might have a little more upside because he tends to qualify worse than Nemechek, though, so there could end up being place differential value.
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Mid-Priced Options for Phoenix
Ben Rhodes ($9,900): Play him. At this price, you can get one of the drivers over 10k plus Rhodes. A driver who is in the Championship 4 shouldn't cost this little. We know those four Trucks will be giving it their all, and that one of them is very likely to win. Use Rhodes to double dip and get two of them.
Carson Hocevar ($9,100): Hocevar was ninth here last year. He has an average finish of 12.8 this season. He just kind of stands out as someone who I'll likely plug into some lineups as a kind of boring, high-floor option.
Layne Riggs ($8,100): Riggs, the son of long-time NASCAR driver Scott Riggs, has made two previous starts in this 62 truck. He finished seventh at IRP after starting 23rd, then 19th at Richmond after starting fourth. He was ninth fastest in practice. To play him confidently, we probably need him to start 15th or worse, but if we get that scenario, then I'll be all over him.
Tanner Gray ($7,700): Gray was quick in practice, turning the sixth-fastest lap. In his final race for Ford, could Gray make a surprise run? He's been top 20 in two of his three Phoenix starts, plus he's been running decently well over the last couple of months.
Potential Fantasy Sleepers
Rajah Caruth ($6,800): Caruth is set for his fourth start in this Truck. His finishes have gotten progressively worse, but he was 11th at Gateway in his first start. Top 20 upside here with Caruth.
Jack Wood ($5,900): I mean...look, Jack Wood has been bad this season, with an average finish of 25.0 despite driving a GMS truck. It makes no sense. But he's also in a GMS truck, so he's always got to be on your radar if he starts low enough. A big issue is he usually has too much speed in qualifying to make him a viable play.
Jake Garcia ($5,800): Garcia is in a Bill McAnally truck, the same owner as the 19 and 91 trucks. He hasn't necessarily done great in his other four starts, though he did have a pair of top 25s. Like Wood, this is one of those where qualifying matters. A top 20 starting spot and he's out of play. Below that, and I'll think about it.
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