NASCAR DFS DraftKings Lineup Advice: Richmond Raceway Picks 4/30/17

The NASCAR Premier series returns to Virginia for the Toyota Owners 400 race, at Richmond International Raceway.    This raceway is a D-Shaped, .75 mile asphalt race track.   The Monster Energy Cup is 8 races into the season where Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson lead the way with two wins each thus far.  Johnson won a tough race last week at Bristol Motor Speedway fighting off Ford Fusion drivers Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer on the final lap.   Let’s review my picks for this race.

My Top 5 Picks for the Toyota Owners 400

Kyle Busch($10,600):   Kyle Busch had a great car that dominated practice last week in Bristol, but the race was a different story.   He crashed his car twice and struggled to get back into the Top 10.   He has a great history at Richmond Speedway, with four wins, fifteen Top 5’s, and seventeen Top 10’s.   His four wins are the most among active drivers.  He is due for a win soon.

Martin Truex Jr.($9,100):   Truex Jr. has already qualified for the playoffs, but Furniture Row Racing has still provided him with fast cars as Truex has consistently finished in the Top 10.   Last week at Bristol, his average running position was 5.90.   A costly pit road speeding penalty cost Truex Jr. the race when he was running 3rd, forcing him to the back.  He ran out of laps to rally back to the front and finished 8th, but he did lead 116 laps throughout the race.

Kevin Harvick($10,400):   Kevin Harvick has been slumping for most of the year, and will look to bounce back like Jimmie Johnson did.  Last week was a promising finish at Bristol, and he was able to finish 3rd, fighting for 2nd place with teammate Clint Bowyer. At Richmond, Harvick has three wins, eleven Top 5’s, and twenty Top 10 finishes. Harvick starts 6th, and could easily move into the Top position from that spot.

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Kyle Larson($10,300):   Larson is the championship points leader again this week.   Last week at Bristol, like Martin Truex Jr., he committed a late race, pit road speeding penalty sending him to the back.  At the time of the penalty, he was running 2nd.    Larson had a fast car and actually made it back to 2nd, but ended up 6th overall.   This week, he is a must-start in all cash games as he also has Place Differential upside, started in the 18th position.   He has performed every week.

Joey Logano($10,100):   Logano is another Top Driver on the cusp of winning a race for that automatic qualifier for the playoffs.    Logano had a great race last week, with his average running position being 4.0, and finishing 5th overall.  He has won this Richmond Spring race in 2014 and has six Top 10 finishes in the last 6 races at Richmond.

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Value Picks

Austin Dillon($7,400):   Due to failing multiple inspections this week, Austin Dillon will start at the very back in the 38th position.   With this huge Place Differential upside potential, he will be highly owned, but at $7,400, he is must start to put into your lineup.

Erik Jones($8,100):  Erik Jones had the 2nd fastest time in the first practice session at Richmond.   He qualified 20th, which also gives him Place Differential upside.   His team has had some bad luck and unforced mishaps this season, and Jones’s performance would have been better thus far.  However, he is competitive each race, which is impressive for a rookie.

Other Notable Drivers to Use This Weekend

Denny Hamlin($9,300):  Do you believe in the Hometown Narrative?   Hamlin is from Virginia and this is his home track.    Hamlin has three wins, eight Top 5’s, and twelve Top 10’s at Richmond, and since he starts 16th, has great Place Differential potential.

Clint Bowyer($8,500):   Bowyer had his best finish in a long time finishing 2nd last week at Bristol.   This Stewart-Haas Racing driver is having fun again and this has translated into consistent Top 12 performances.    He should be sprinkled into several of your cash and GPP lineups.

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