Daily Fantasy Nascar Picks
Hellmann's 500

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Hellmann's 500

Talladega Superspeedway - Talladega, Alabama
Track - 2.66 mile Tro Oval Superspeedway
33° Banking in the Corners

 

Kevin Harvick bounced back in a big way last Sunday picking up the win and advancing into the Round of 8 starting next week in Martinsville. Late in the race it appeared that rookie Chase Elliott was going to grab his first career win after passing Kevin Harvick but a tire issue forced him back down pit road, eventually leaving him with a 31st place finish and 25 points behind the cutline going into an elimination race. If you missed the race be sure to check out the recap below.

Speaking of the points here is a look at standings going into the elimination race at Talladega:

1. #48 Jimmie Johnson(3082)
2. #20 Matt Kenseth(3074)
3. #18 Kyle Busch(3072)
4. #19 Carl Edwards(3069)
5. #41 Kurt Busch(3062)
6. #78 Martin Truex Jr.(3058)
7. #4 Kevin Harvick(3048)
8. #22 Joey Logano(3045)
9. #3 Austin Dillon(3045)
10. #11 Denny Hamlin(3039)
11. #2 Brad Keselowski(3038)
12. #24 Chase Elliott(3020)

As you can see it is going to be a nail biting race from start to finish this week in Talladega. Chase Elliott has the closest to a win or go home scenario after is late issues last week put him in a big hole. Joey Logano and Austin Dillon sit tied right on the cutline with Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski just 6 and 7 points back. Get ready for one of the best races of the entire season.

The race you know you have been waiting for. NASCAR heads to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the second and most unpredictable race of the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoffs. The 2.5 mile superspeedway always creates exciting racing for the fans and white knuckled racing for 500 miles for the drivers. Superspeedways are a great way to capitalize on some fast cars who start in the back of the field as getting to the front is very attainable with drafting.

Both practice sessions come on Friday this week with Qualifying on Saturday so look for teams to hit race trim laps in opening practice and  for a portion of the final practice and close out  in qualifying trim. I will be watching both practices and will most likely weigh Practice #1 ahead of Final Practice. Stay tuned to my Twitter.
The following is the initial schedule for the weekend:

• First Practice - Friday @ 2:00 p.m. ET
• Final Practice - Friday @ 4:30 p.m. ET
• Qualifying - Saturday @ 4:00 p.m. ET
• Race - Sunday @ 2:00 p.m. ET

 

Are you looking to streamline your research process and spend more time making lineups? Check out my DFS NASCAR Cheatsheet. If you have any questions about the cheatsheet throw me an email(jagerbombs99@gmail.com) or hit me up on Twitter(@jager_bombs9).

 

Upper Tier Targets ($9,000+)

 

Brad Keselowski 
DraftKings - $10,300
Practice #1 - 23rd
Qualified - 2nd
Final Practice - N/A

While he doesn't NEED a win to advance he isn't going to want to leave it to points and will be pushing it 100% on Sunday. This is the main reason he comes in as my favorite play of the week. Oh ya and he is really good here. He won the race at Talladega earlier this year and has three wins in the last 10 races with five Top 5's and six Top 10 finishes. The upside could be huge if people avoid him due to his 38th place finish last week and $600 increase in price.

 

Matt Kenseth
DraftKings - $9,000
Practice #1 - 16th
Qualified - 3rd
Final Practice - 2nd 

His price came up after dipping into the second tier last week but he remains a top value play coming into Talladega. Over the past five years(10 races) he has a win, three Top 5's and four Top 10 finishes and has also led more laps(345) than any other driver in that time. Kenseth and the #20 JGR team are one of only two drivers to finish each Chase race inside the Top 10. He is safe in all formats.

 

Kyle Busch
DraftKings - $10,100
Practice #1 - 17th
Qualified - 14th
Final Practice -9th 

Like his teammate Matt Kenseth, Kyle has finished each Chase race inside the Top 10 has has quietly been moving forward without a post season win. It's a consistency we have not seen wit Kyle as he has now finished six straight races inside the Top 10, something he hasn't done since 2010 where he recorded eight straight Top 10's. The defending is sure to strike soon and reach victory and with how strong Joe Gibbs Racing has been it could very well be this weekend.

 

Also Consider - Martin Truex Jr.

Middle Tier Targets ($7,000-$9,000)

 

Chase Elliott
DraftKings - $8,800
Practice #1 - 21st
Qualified - 4th
Final Practice - 3rd 

He was laps away from his first career win and trip into the next round of the Chase before a tire rub caused an unscheduled pit stop resulting in a 31st place finish. It isn't impossible for him to get in to the Round of 8 without a win but he would need a miracle. Look for the #24 team to give him everything he needs to get into the winners circle. In his first trip to Talladega earlier this year he impressed with a 5th place finish after winning the Pole.

 

 

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
DraftKings - $7,300
Practice #1 - 4th
Qualified - 6th
Final Practice - N/A 

His price is at a season high $7,300 but he should still be considered in GPP , especially if he starts outside the Top 20 this week. He is a non chaser who hasn't done much in the Chase but has finished each race inside the Top 25 with three straight Top 20 finishes. He comes back to Talladega with some nice history as well, racing here six times with a Top 5 and three Top 10's with an impressive 12.8 average finish.

 

Also Consider - Kasey Kahne

 

 

Low End Targets ($6,900 and Below)

 

Landon Cassill 
DraftKings - $5,800
Practice #1 - 8th
Qualified - 31st
Final Practice - 21st

I originally had Gilliland in this spot but he failed to make the race in qualifying. I will now turn to Landon Cassill who comes back to Talladega with a 23.8 average finish over his last 10 races here. Not bad for a driver who is priced under $6K this week. He showed some nice speed in the opening practice with the 8th fastest time but failed to show that speed in qualifying as he will start 31st. This opens up some place differential point upside should he put together another successful Talladega run.

 

 

Also Consider - Paul Menard

 

Post Practice & Qualifying Update

Qualifying Top 10

 

If you have any questions on lineups or drivers prior to lineup lock scroll down to the comment section and join the conversation.

 

Good Luck everyone!

 

 

Want to see how more analysis and information on building lineups for the Hellmann's 500? Chris is selling his cheatsheet & targets for only $5. Just scroll to the bottom of the picks. This is a separate service than our traditional monthly membership. Or Purchase through PayPal here.