NASCAR DFS DraftKings Lineup Advice: Atlanta Picks 2/25/2018

In the opener of the Monster Energy Cup Series, Austin Dillon wins the Daytona 500 thriller.  Like last year’s winner Kurt Busch, Dillon did not lead a single lap in the race, until the final one.   Aric Almirola was leading the final lap, but with some hard racing from Dillon, Almirola spun out and crashed into the wall, assuring the victory for Dillon who automatically qualifies for the playoffs with the win.

This week, the real season starts as Daytona is such a volatile crash-filled race, where anyone who survives the multiple crashes can win.   The Monster Energy Cup series travels to Atlanta Motor Speedway, an older track surface, where tires are put to the test.   Pit strategy to keep tires from too much wear will be critical for the race.   Atlanta Motor Speedway is a 1.5 mile oval, intermediate track.   

My Top 5 Drivers for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500

Martin Truex Jr.($10,400):   Truex Jr. is a dominant driver at intermediate tracks. Truex Jr. has 10 wins at Intermediate tracks since February of 2016(the last 2 full seasons).  Interestingly, he failed multiple inspections during qualifying and was not able make a qualifying lap.  He will start 35th, where he can work his way up to the Top 10 and get a great chunk of Place Differential points.

Kyle Busch($9,700):   Kyle Busch won the pole position for this race.  He will probably finish in the top 5, but will certainly rack up some Laps Lead fantasy points.   Kyle Busch has two wins, five Top 5’s, and six Top 10’s at Atlanta.  

Chase Elliott($9,500):  If you believe in the hometown narrative, then Chase Elliott is your guy as this is his home track, where he grew up in nearby Dawsonville, GA.  In his two starts at Atlanta, he finished 5th and 8th respectively.   

Kyle Larson($10,000):  Larson had a remarkable breakout year for the young driver, before fizzling out in the playoffs.    In last year’s race, he ran extremely well, finishing 2nd after starting in the 8th position.  This year, he starts in the same spot, the 8th position. Will he take the checkered flag this time?

Brad Keselowski($9,200):  Keselowski qualified 5th for this race and expect him to stay in the Top 5 with his strong car this week.  Atlanta is a driver’s track, one that Keselowski particularly loves.  He won this race last year, and finished in the Top 10 in 2015 and 2016.

Others to Consider

Jimmie Johnson($8,800):   It’s not hard to put Jimmie Johnson into your lineup as he has won here five times.  Last year, he did poorly finishing 19th, but did rack up back to back wins at Atlanta in 2015 and 2016.   He starts in a challenging 22nd spot, but look for his team to work his car into the Top 5.  

Kasey Kahne($6,200):   Kahne has won at Atlanta three times, and finished 4th last year. He starts in the middle of the pack at 14th.   He could sneak into the Top 10 by the end of the race.  

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