RADIO
It's tricky to rock a rhyme and even more tricky racing at Pocono Raceway. NASCAR is headed to one of the toughest tracks for drivers to get a grip on due to its unique three turns. The track's difficult reputation comes mostly from having 14-degree banking in Turn 1, nine-degree banking in Turn 2 and six-degree banking in Turn 3. It's not easy to see why that's so hard to do for a professional driver but if you want a taste go race at Pocono Raceway on NASCAR Heat 3 and let me know about your experience plowing the wall in Turn 1.
As you prepare to set your lineups this week, it is SO important to recognize drivers that historically have done well at this track. Pocono takes time to learn so you definitely need to play some experienced racers in your lineup if you want to position yourself to win some cash. Don't be afraid of leaving it all on the table this Sunday by going for broke with your $50,000 salary cap.
Be sure to check out my Pocono 400 Sleepers and Drivers to Avoid article to see who I think has the chance to be great and who you should run away from faster than Clint Bowyer throws punches. One driver that everyone is hyped about this Sunday is Kevin Harvick. Call me crazy but I'm out on him this week unless he's starting towards the back of the pack. Harvick has just shown he is having some issues adapting to this new package and all great streaks are more likely to end when an old dog isn't willing to learn new tricks.
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Pocono 400 - Starting Lineup
- (#24) William Byron - Chevrolet
- (#18) Kyle Busch - Toyota
- (#14) Clint Bowyer - Ford
- (#20) Erik Jones - Toyota
- (#2) Brad Keselowski - Ford
- (#11) Denny Hamlin - Toyota
- (#42) Kyle Larson - Chevrolet
- (#48) Jimmie Johnson - Chevrolet
- (#41) Daniel Suarez - Ford
- (#3) Austin Dillon - Chevrolet
- (#4) Kevin Harvick - Ford
- (#9) Chase Elliott - Chevrolet
- (#10) Aric Almirola - Ford
- (#21) Paul Menard - Ford
- (#88) Alex Bowman - Chevrolet
- (#22) Joey Logano - Ford
- (#12) Ryan Blaney - Ford
- (#17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - Ford
- (#6) Ryan Newman - Ford
- (#19) Martin Truex Jr. - Toyota
- (#1) Kurt Busch - Chevrolet
- (#95) Matt DiBenedetto - Toyota
- (#8) Daniel Hemric - Chevrolet
- (#37) Chris Buescher - Chevrolet
- (#13) Ty Dillon - Chevrolet
- (#43) Bubba Wallace - Chevrolet
- (#38) David Ragan - Ford
- (#34) Michael McDowell - Ford
- (#47) Ryan Preece - Chevrolet
- (#36) Matt Tifft - Ford
- (#00) Landon Cassill - Chevrolet
- (#15) Ross Chastain - Chevrolet
- (#51) Bayley Currey - Ford
- (#27) Reed Sorenson - Chevrolet
- (#77) Quin Houff - Chevrolet
- (#52) JJ Yeley - Chevrolet
DFS Lineup Picks - DraftKings, FanDuel
Martin Truex Jr. #19 (DraftKings $10,900 | FanDuel $14,000)
Truex Jr. has been having a fantastic year so far which is why it makes it easy for me to go back-to-back on last week's Coca-Cola 600 winner. In July of 2018, Truex Jr. finished at this track in 15th after starting P8 but has shown that he can get it done at The Tricky Triangle.
Now with Joe Gibbs Racing equipment, I can see Truex Jr. getting an easy Top 10 and possibly even a Top 3. Toyota has gotten the dubs over the past three races at Pocono and with Truex Jr. running consistently in practice (P10) it gives me full confidence that he can compete to keep that stat alive.
Brad Keselowski #2 (DraftKings $10,200 | FanDuel $13,500)
Just when you thought I was done going back-to-back like Drake I had to do it again for Brad Keselowski. Brad K is that dude with the edge you want this Sunday. Last week ended poorly for Keselowski after having an issue within the last 10 laps that caused him to finish the Coca-Cola 600 in P19.
Look for Keselowski to bounce back in a big way this weekend and also bounce some cash your way in DFS. Brad ran fifth in Practice 1 and second in Practice 2 with speeds reaching 171.798. In his last seven races at Pocono, Brad has finished six with a Top 5.
Alex Bowman #88 (DraftKings $8,500 | FanDuel $10,000 )
My (borderline) value play this week is basically Cal Naughton Jr. in real life. Alex Bowman hasn't been able to figure out how to get a victory just yet (and I don't think its time yet) but I do like the speed and type of driving he's been doing with the new package.
In July of 2018, Bowman started the race in P10 and moved his way up to P3 by race end. If Bowman can get a Top 15 in qualifying, I will have him almost everywhere knowing I can squeeze in two big-name guys and have some excellent upside. Bowman finished the first practice at Pocono with a speed of 170.338.
Erik Jones #20 (DraftKings $8,600 | FanDuel $10,200)
I'm Jones'in hard at The Tricky Triangle this week with this overwhelmingly good feeling in my gut. Erik Jones had some rough luck last week at the Coca-Cola 600 with a tire issue and wasn't alone either (what was up with Toyota???). What better way to bounce back than an excellent finish at a track that he seems to naturally adapt to.
Jones has raced four times at Pocono since that start of his career and has had a Top 10 finish in three of the four. Jones jumped from P16 in Practice 1 to P8 in Practice 2 on Friday with a final speed of 169.562. Sean Engel is also a fan of this play on Sunday.
More NASCAR DFS Analysis
Be sure to also check out this week's Revvin' Up, a weekly video series by Sean Engel focused on previewing every Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race from DFS perspectives. Sean Engel is a six-time DraftKings NASCAR DFS tournament winner and a 15-year NASCAR veteran.
Be sure to also check out this week's Revvin' Up, a weekly video series by Sean Engel focused on previewing every Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race from DFS perspectives. Sean Engel is a six-time DraftKings NASCAR DFS tournament winner and a 15-year NASCAR veteran.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase. Good luck RotoBallers!
More Fantasy NASCAR Analysis
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 had a 60+ unit betting profit in 2024 NASCAR, and a 25% average annual profit since 2018. He won the FSWA Racing Writer Of The Year award in 2023, and has been nominated for DFS Writer Of The Year in 2024.
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