RADIO
I hope everyone had a great week off from the Monster Energy Cup Series because its time to get back on the horse this Sunday in Sonoma California. One big change that's ahead is the switch from the races being broadcasted on Fox to NBC and with that also comes the last broadcast for Darrell Waltrip (basically the voice of NASCAR). It's going to be tough to see him go and there will never be another person that walks this earth to say "Boogity Boogity Boogity" like the man himself.
On Fathers Day, we were blessed with some Xfinity and Gander Truck Series racing at Iowa Speedway. The one thing you most likely saw was the epic battle between Austin Hill and Johnny Sauter under a caution. That energy is what drives the fans wild and every now and then I think it can be a good thing for the sport (But not for Sauter). Sauter faces a one-race suspension for getting even with Hill and wasn't even able to confront him on the issue due to Hill having more security than Drake at his high school reunion.
As we inch closer to Sunday's race there is a lot to look into when making your DFS selections. Road courses are a whole different ball game than your average NASCAR race so its important to do your homework a little more focused than usual. I'll be handling that for you this week although if this was an article on how to drive this course on NASCAR Heat 3, you would all be out of luck (let's take a moment to be thankful it's not).
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What We Learned At Michigan
- Joey Logano is good when he has the pole.
- No matter the record a driver has at a track, Drivers still wreck (and it sucks).
- Denny Hamlin is having a tough time
- Chris Buescher has improved since last season
- Kevin Harvick is close to winning (the funk can't last forever)
DFS Lineup Sleepers - Toyota / Save Mart 350
Parker Kliegerman
Parker has only had one race at Sonoma but he did work when it mattered most. Last year Kliegerman started the race P34 and finished P23 for a total of 32 FPTS on DraftKings. While it's not the best production, it's definitely good for a driver that doesn't cost much to add in your lineup. Keep an eye on him when making your lineups this weekend.
Matt DiBenedetto
As of late, Dibenedetto hasn't made many waves in the racing world but this is the week that all could change. In Dibenedetto's career, he has never finished a race at Sonoma behind his starting position. His best finish came last year finishing in P17 after starting 30th. This is obviously a track that he knows how to drive on and I see him continuing his progress on the California road course come Sunday.
Jimmie Johnson
The Jimster is due for a breakout race this season and what better way to do it than at a track that's out of the norm. Nothing about Johnson's season has been exciting so far but I see that making a shift on Sunday. Johnson has finished 13 out of 17 races at Sonoma in the Top 15 and tends to post good fantasy production here year after year.
DFS Lineup Avoids - Toyota / Save Mart 350
William Byron
William B's speed is no match for Sonoma. The System Driver tends to have the same problem other NASCAR video game players have when it comes to road courses. I know for me it's super difficult and it is rare that I don't throw my controller at the wall when playing Heat 3 at Sonoma. Byron won't have the option to throw the controller and also won't have the option of being in my lineup. When you start P8 and finish 25th running it just raises a whole other level of concern.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Stenhouse hasn't shown much this season if we're being honest. I was all over him at Charlotte but it's gonna be a bit before he finds his way back in a lineup of mine and it most definitely won't be at Sonoma. Stenhouse's best finish at this track was last season and it didn't do much for fantasy owners because he didn't move at all. Other than the P18 start and finish, Stenhouse has finished behind his starting position more that he's advanced. Just stay away.
Ryan Blaney
Poor Ryan Blaney had been falling off the radar hard until his Top 10 finish last week at Michigan. I wish I could say that would continue for him but unfortunately, I just don't see it happening this weekend. Blaney has only had one race at this track where he advanced position and with his record so far this year, It doesn't give me much confidence that he can change that. Blaney has averaged about 14 FPTS at Sonoma since the start of his career. My advice is not to waste your money on him this weekend.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase.
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