DFS NASCAR

Welcome to the NASCAR DFS Pit Stop for Saturday night’s Clean Harbors 150 dirt race from Knoxville! This is the second time the Truck Series has come to this track in Knoxville, Iowa. Last year’s race was an absolute disaster (I will keep it PG with that word instead of saying how I really feel). In this race last season we had 14 cautions for 80 laps, meanwhile, the race itself was only 179 laps. Because of all the carnage, they ran an extra 29 laps in this race that was scheduled for 150. Saturday’s race is scheduled for the same 150 laps, but I expect we will see more.

Unfortunately, because this is a dirt race they will be running qualifying heats just prior to the race at 7 pm eastern. Lock for this race is just after 9 pm eastern so there will be a tiny window to build lineups. Make sure you are around to be in discord if you plan on playing Saturday night so you can see my updates post-qualifying

Roster Construction

I wrote in discord earlier this week that my article this week was simply #StackTheBack and that is still how I feel. There will be a few drivers who could start near the front and remain there throughout the race, but there is only a handful I trust to do that.

NASCAR DFS: Dirt Race History

Looking back to this race last season, it was full of wrecks and trucks wrecking out. When this race finally ended we had 21 trucks on the lead lap and only 29 of 40 trucks actually finished the race. The majority of these cautions came after we reached 100 laps (9 of 14 cautions) and they generally involved multiple trucks.

When this race was all said and done, we had 11 trucks that finished inside the top 20 that started 23rd or worse. Of those 11 trucks, six of them started 31st or worse. This is why I say this is a race to stack drivers starting near the back. Even though we had 179 laps in this race last season, only two drivers led over 60 laps (Todd Gilliland & Chandler Smith) so this is why I said that there will be a few drivers who we can trust that will start near the front that we can use. I will be building 10-15 lineups for this race instead of my usual five. I want exposure to as many combinations as possible for this race since it has the potential to be crazy.

Bristol Dirt:

As it was in Knoxville last season, it was hard to pass at Bristol this season which led to only two drivers leading laps. The one main difference in the Bristol race was we had no drivers wreck out even though there were nine cautions. In the 2021 version of this race, we saw a similar outcome when it comes to dominator point with only two drivers really getting any. The difference in this race was nine drivers failed to finish which is a more regular occurrence in this race type.

NASCAR DFS: Drivers to Target

Ben Rhodes ($10,300)

Since 2021 nobody has been better on dirt than Rhodes. In three dirt races, Rhodes has one win (2022 Bristol), three top 10’s, and an average finish of 3.3. Rhodes was also the fastest in Friday’s practice session.

Stewart Friesen ($9,900)

Friesen is one of the series’ best dirt racers and should be a factor on Saturday night. In Friday’s practice session only Rhodes was faster than Friesen. The last time the Truck Series raced Eldora, Friesen dominated on the way to the win in that race. At Knoxville last season, Friesen was one of many who got caught up in a wreck and finished 27th, but at Bristol, Friesen has finishes of 11th and 12th. I think Friesen could be popular if he qualifies poorly, but if he starts near the front he could be one of the top dominators.

Carson Hocevar ($8,600)

Hocevar had to leave last week’s race early because of his injury but he believes he can complete this race on Saturday. Earlier this season, Hocevar led 55 laps on his way to a second-place finish. That was Hocevar’s best dirt race of his career and he could be a great play from the mid-tier.

Todd Gilliland ($9,700)

Gilliland is another great dirt racer and has had some great finishes on this track surface including his 4th place finish at Knoxville in 2021. In four career dirt races, Gilliland has three top 5 finishes and an average finish of 8.8. In Friday’s practice, Gilliland was putting up top 10 laps.

Spencer Boyd ($6,200)

Boyd is at his highest price of the season but he is a good play this weekend based on his history on dirt. In his two career dirt races (both at Bristol), Boyd has finished top 25 in both. Boyd did show some speed on Friday as well as he put up laps times right around the top 20.

Tyler Carpenter ($7,500)

Carpenter is an accomplished dirt racer and is a two-time winner of the Gateway Dirt Nationals (2019 & 2021) who will be piloting the #41 truck for Niece Motorsports. This will be the first time we see Carpenter in a NASCAR event but he should be in contention for a top 10 if he can stay clear of the carnage.

Once again, make sure to be in Discord if you are playing on Saturday after qualifying for my updated plays.

Make sure you head to the Win Daily Sports Discord for up-to-date info and help from our pros! Head over to Twitter and give the @WinDailySports account and me (@MVecchio81) a follow for all things Fantasy Sports! You can find more FREE NASCAR content over at WinDailySports.com!

Make sure to check out my NASCAR DFS Tutorial to make sure you are ready and understand how I break down the races and build lineups (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-pit-stop-2021-introduction-to-nascar-dfs/).

There were a lot of changes in the cars and what driver is in what car/truck in 2022, check out my What’s new in 2022 article (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-whats-new-in-2022/)

Welcome to the NASCAR DFS Pit Stop for Saturday’s Truck Series from Sonoma! This week the Truck Series heads to wine country for the second road course race of the season. The field for Saturday’s race is loaded with talent, including five Cup regulars looking for some seat time before their race on Sunday. Kyle Busch is driving his #51 truck for the fifth and final time in 2022. If Busch is unsuccessful in trying to win this race, it will be the first time since 2004 that he didn’t win at least one race in the series. Both Austin Dillon and Alex Bowman will be making their second Truck Series appearance in 2022, while Ross Chastain will be making his fifth and final start. Finally, Harrison Burton is in the 17 truck for DGR which has been solid all season.

This is the first time the series has been to Sonoma since 1998, so no one in the field has driven a truck at this track. For analysis purposes, I will be using practice times from Friday and past history at road courses. This article is being written pre-qualifying but I will try and update it after qualifying is complete on Saturday afternoon.

Roster Construction

With there being so much value in the lower level of the top tier and mid tier’s I think we can be confident with a 2×3 build of two top tier drivers and three $7K or low $8K driver builds. Originally I was leaning towards a three top-tier build, but after seeing how those drivers qualified we can get good PD upside with a driver who could lead laps.

NASCAR DFS: Top Tier ($9K +)

Alex Bowman ($10,000)

Starting Position: 6th

Bowman had the second-fastest lap in practice on Friday and should be a factored Saturday night. Bowman only has one other road course race under his belt in the Truck Series and that was a poor showing at COTA earlier this season, but his truck had issues all day there. Since 2019, Bowman has seven top 10’s in thirteen Cup Series road-course races and an average finish of 11.4. Since joining Hendrick in 2018, Bowman has two top 10’s and a 14th place finish in three Sonoma races.

Christian Eckes ($9,300)

Starting Position: 18th

Eckes is one of the hottest drivers in the Truck Series but may go completely overlooked in this race Saturday night. In Friday’s practice session, Eckes put up the best single lap time. Eckes is riding a four-race top 5 streak including two 2nd place finishes and leading 54 laps during this streak. As for his road course record, Eckes has been good, not great. In four races at this track type since 2021, Eckes has one top ten and three finishes of 13th or better. Last season at COTA, Eckes has suspension issues that left him finishing 35th, but if remove that race, Eckes has an average finish of 9.7 in the remaining three races.

Parker Kligerman ($9,100)

Starting Position: 11th

Kligerman is another driver who can hold his own on road courses and should be a factor for another top 10. In four road course races since 2019, Kligerman has two top 10’s and a top 5. Kligerman’s worst finish since 2019 is a 19th place finish in 2021 at COTA. In Friday’s practice, Kligerman posted top 5 laps continually throughout the session.

I think both Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain are top plays as well and will fight for the win at the end of the day. I can see them leading the majority of the laps for this race, but with them probably carrying the most ownership in this tier I decided against writing them up. The three drivers above are great drivers to pair with Busch or Chastain but can also be great lower-owned pivots.

Other Options: Zane Smith ($10,300 – P13), Ben Rhodes ($9,800 – P17), Other Options: Zane Smith ($10,300 – P13), Ben Rhodes ($9,800 – P17), Chandler Smith ($9,600 – P14), – Yes, I know I included all of the top-tier drivers here, but they are all solid plays and the best plays on this slate.

NASCAR DFS: Mid Tier ($7K-$8.9K)

Derek Kraus ($7,200)

Starting Position: 15th

If we want to pay up for the tippy top of the top tier, we need some good value in the mid-tier, and Derek Kraus is where I will look first. Kraus is not a road course expert, but he is able to hold his own on this track type. Earlier this season at COTA, Kraus started 14th and came home 12th earning 33 DKFP in that race. This week, Kraus is priced $400 less than he was in that race and is coming off back-to-back finishes of 12th or better. In fact, Kraus has seven finishes of 19th or better in his last nine races including three top 10’s, and was posting top 10 laps in practice on Friday.

Matt DiBenedetto ($7,400)

Starting Position: 12th

Earlier this season you couldn’t pay me to recommend Matt DiBenedetto but things have improved for this team and he is actually underpriced for this race. At the start of 2022, DiBenedetto had three finishes of 30th or worse in six races, but since then they have turned things around at Wrackley W.A.R. In the five races since that poor start, DiBenedetto has three top 10’s and his worse finish is 17th during this span. In Friday’s practice, Matty D put up the fourth-best lap time.

Kaz Grala ($8,100)

Starting Position: 20th

Grala is a road course ringer and a very good one at that. Since 2021, Grala has run four RC races in the 02 for Youngs Motorsports and has an average finish of 9th. In those four races, Grala’s worst finish was 14th and his best finish was 2nd last year at COTA. At this price, Grala is one of the better plays on the slate with top 5 upside.

Other Options: Matt Crafton ($7,700 – P24 – Also, another Bday boy narrative), Harrison Burton ($7,900), Tyler Ankrum ($7,800 – P5), Tanner Gray ($7,000 – P27)

Value Tier (Under $7K)

1. Chase Purdy ($6,900) – P25
2. Todd Bodine ($6,700) – P31
3. Kris Wright ($4,800) – P30
4. Spencer Boyd ($5,900) – P36
5. Jack Wood ($6,200) – P28
6. Dean Thompson ($5,800) – P33

Make sure you head to the Win Daily Sports Discord for up-to-date info and help directly from our pros! Head over to Twitter and give the @WinDailySports account and me (@MVecchio81) a follow for all things Fantasy Sports! You can find more FREE NASCAR content over at WinDailySports.com!

Make sure to check out my NASCAR DFS Tutorial to make sure you are ready and understand how I break down the races and build lineups (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-pit-stop-2021-introduction-to-nascar-dfs/).

There were a lot of changes in the cars and what driver is in what car/truck in 2022, check out my What’s new in 2022 article (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-whats-new-in-2022/)

Welcome to the NASCAR DFS Pit Stop for Saturday afternoon’s Truck Series race from World Wide Technology Raceway. Sheldon Creed has won back-to-back races here, but he isn’t in this race, making John Hunter Nemechek the only previous winner in this race. There are about eleven drivers at $8.5K and up that are in play on this slate. This is typical for the Truck Series because the field is generally top-heavy and with a lack of talented drivers the value is extremely important in this race. Check out my weekend preview for more info on this race and the track.

Roster Construction

Depending on what you do with the top tier, lineups should be pretty balanced on Saturday for this race. There is one obvious chalk play in the mid-tier, but otherwise, the ownership should be pretty spread out. As I was building lineups before writing, the majority of them came out with a 2-2-2 build. The value tier isn’t too deep so that is why I am leaning towards the balanced build this week.

NASCAR DFS: Top Tier ($9K +)

John Hunter Nemechek ($11,400)

Starting Position: 6th

As I said in the open, Nemechek is the only previous winner in the field for Saturday’s race. While JHN is a former winner here, he hasn’t had much success otherwise at this track, but at this track type Nemechek has had success. Nemechek also comes into this race as one of the hottest drivers in the series with seven straight finishes of 6th or better including a win and four top 3 finishes.

Zane Smith ($11,000)

Starting Position: 2nd

Smith had his season-long streak (9 races) of top 10’s snapped two weeks ago in Texas, but he started a new streak with a 5th place finish at Charlotte last week. Zane is pulling double duty this weekend taking over for Chris Buescher on Sunday but this race will be his main focus as he contends for a championship. In three career races at WWTR, Smith has two top 10 finishes and has led 64 laps. Smith leads the series in wins in 2022 with three and I don’t think he wins on Saturday but a top 5 with some dominator points is highly likely to happen.

Quick Hits:

Grant Enfinger ($9,600 – P10): Enfinger has three top 10’s in five career races here at WWTR. In those five races, Enfinger has led a total of 88 laps. Enfinger has the three fastest single lap time on Friday in practice and his truck seemed to be good in the long run as he was one of a few drivers to post their best lap at the end of his run.

Carson Hocevar ($10,000 – P12): Hocevar was so close to his first career win last week, and that win will come but this week he has some of the top PD upside in this tier. Hocevar has three top 5’s in his last five races and I predict he makes it four in six on Saturday.

Matt Crafton ($9,100 – P11): Crafton is one of the most tenured drivers in the Truck Series and he has raced here 18 times in his career. In his last five races, he has not finished lower than 20th and has three top 10’s. On the season, Crafton has five top 10 finishes in his last six races and I expect him to add another on Saturday.

Other Options: Christian Eckes ($9,800 – P5), Chandler Smith ($10,400 – P4)

NASCAR DFS: Mid Tier ($7K-$8.9K)

Derek Kraus ($8,100)

Starting Position: 36th

Kraus is the obvious chalk play I mentioned in the open. In Friday’s practice session, Kraus was a top 5 truck and because of an unapproved adjustment prior to qualifying, he wasn’t allowed to make an attempt so he will start last. Kraus is going to be good chalk in my opinion, now of course in large field GPP’s you can fade him and hope he finishes near the back but in single entry or cash he is a must-play for me.

Johnny Sauter ($8,900)

Starting Position: 18th

I went over Sauter’s accomplishments at this track in my weekend preview, so if you read that you know why he is in this spot. This is one of Sauter’s best tracks and I expect him to make some noise here Saturday afternoon. In practice, this truck showed top 15 speed, and with some attrition, a top 10 is more than possible.

Other Options: Austin Wayne Self ($7,500 – P28) is a great PD upside play, while also having the ability to finish well. Ty Majeski ($8,700 – P8): Majeski was the fastest truck in practice and should push for his first win again. Tyler Ankrum ($8,500 – P20), Matt DiBenedetto ($8,300 – P16)

Value Tier (Under $7K)

1. Timmy Hill ($6,40) – P29
2. Rajah Carruth ($5,900) – P19
3. Tate Fogleman ($6,800) – P35
4. Jack Wood ($6,600) – P23
5. Jordan Anderson ($6100) – P30
6. Jesse Little ($5,700) – P22
7. Spenecer Boyd ($5,200) – P34

Make sure you head to the Win Daily Sports Discord for up-to-date info and help directly from our pros! Head over to Twitter and give the @WinDailySports account and me (@MVecchio81) a follow for all things Fantasy Sports! You can find more FREE NASCAR content over at WinDailySports.com!

Make sure to check out my NASCAR DFS Tutorial to make sure you are ready and understand how I break down the races and build lineups (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-pit-stop-2021-introduction-to-nascar-dfs/).

There were a lot of changes in the cars and what driver is in what car/truck in 2022, check out my What’s new in 2022 article (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-whats-new-in-2022/)

Welcome to the NASCAR DFS Pit Stop for Friday night under the lights from Charlotte! Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!! We have a huge weekend of racing ahead with the Truck Series kicking it all off on Friday. This week we only have 134 laps with that translating to just 93.8 dominator points. Because of this getting our dominators right will be key.

Speaking of dominators, this is another Kyle Busch ($14,400) Truck Series week. This will be Busch’s fourth truck race in 2022 and so far he is yet to win, in fact, he has finished 3rd in all three previous races. At his elevated salary and how he has performed this season, I see no reason for Busch to be a must-play and I will probably be underweight on him.

Once again practice and qualifying will happen after this article comes out so you will need to check discord on Friday afternoon for updates.

Roster Construction

If you fade Busch, then I would recommend going with one $10K+ driver and one $9K driver in the top tier. I don’t think there is much to like in the value tier this week. I want to get more exposure to the mid-tier this week over the value tier.

NASCAR DFS: Top Tier ($9K +)

Zane Smith ($10,800)

Smith is having an outstanding 2022 season, last week notwithstanding. So far this season, Smith has three wins and seven top 10’s in nine races. In two career races at Charlotte, Smith has finished 3rd and 10th and has led 28 laps in those two races.

John Hunter Nemecheck ($11,500)

Nemechek has six straight finishes of 6th or better, four top 5’s, and a victory during that span. Outside of Zane Smith, Nemechek has been the best driver in the field on a weekly basis. For the salary, I would rather take the $700 savings with Smith, but both of these drivers should make value on Friday. JHN won this race last season and has three straight top-ten finishes here as well.

Ryan Preece ($9,300)

Preece has made four starts in the Truck Series this season and has finished 7th or better in every race. Last week at Texas, Preece started fifth and came home fourth when the checkers flew. Preece will probably be lower owned as he typically starts right around the top 10. I think Preece is the best $9K option on Friday.

Chandler Smith ($10,100)

Last season in his first race at Charlotte, Smith started 23rd but finished 6th. This season at 1.5-mile tracks, Smith has a win at Las Vegas, two fourth-place finishes, and an 8th. I look at Chandler Smith as a top 10 truck with top 5 upside on Friday night.

Other Options: Ben Rhodes ($9,800), Carson Hocevar ($9,500), Stewart Friesen ($9,100)

NASCAR DFS: Mid Tier ($7K-$8.9K)

Colby Howard ($7,500) & Chase Purdy ($7,300)

For both of these drivers first and foremost, we need to see where they qualify. Looking at Colby Howard, he had his streak of top 20 finishes end at four last week at Texas. Moving over to Chase Purdy, he has been inconsistent in 2022, but he does have four finishes of 16th or better. Purdy has only one DNF so far in 2022 and only two finishes outside the top 20.

Both of these drivers are of interest because of their salary and their ability to make value. If we want to pay up for dominators, we need some good value and both these drivers present that.

Grant Enfinger ($8,700)

Enfinger is at his lowest price since the second race of the season even though he has finished 12th or better in seven straight races. In my opinion, Enfinger is underpriced and should be over $9K for this race on Friday night. Enfinger can be used in place of a $9K driver if you need the salary savings.

Other Options: Ty Majeski ($8,300 – too cheap), Christian Eckes ($8,900), Derek Kraus ($7,700), Austin Wayne Self ($7,100)

Value Tier (Under $7K)

1. Timmy Hill ($6,300)
2. Lawless Alan ($6,100)
3. Josh Reaume ($4,700)
4. Jesse Little ($5,900)
5. Tate Fogleman ($6,900)
6. Spencer Boyd ($4,800)

Make sure you head to the Win Daily Sports Discord for up-to-date info and help directly from our pros! Head over to Twitter and give the @WinDailySports account and me (@MVecchio81) a follow for all things Fantasy Sports! You can find more FREE NASCAR content over at WinDailySports.com!

Make sure to check out my NASCAR DFS Tutorial to make sure you are ready and understand how I break down the races and build lineups (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-pit-stop-2021-introduction-to-nascar-dfs/).

There were a lot of changes in the cars and what driver is in what car/truck in 2022, check out my What’s new in 2022 article (https://windailysports.com/nascar-dfs-whats-new-in-2022/)