Daily Fantasy Nascar Picks
Federated Auto Parts 400

DFSR is proud to bring you Chris Durell. He'll be bringing weekly NASCAR picks, analysis and breakdowns to help you cash on DraftKings & FantasyFeud. If you are new to DraftKings NASCAR DFS be sure to click on the banner below.

Want to see how more analysis and information on building lineups for the Federated Auto Parts 400? 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.

Federated Auto Parts 400

Richmond International Raceway - Richmond, Virginia
Track - .75 Mile D Shaped Oval Short Track
14° Banking in the Corners

After eight months and 25 races we have arrived at the final regular season race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The field is pretty much set at this point after the #31 team of Ryan Newman was penalized 15 points following the race at Darlington. Instead of going into the final trailing by a manageable seven points he now trails by 22 and needs a miracle to get in the Chase. Anything is possible and no better place for Newman to try and make up ground then Richmond where he owns the 4th best average finish(11.72) of active drivers. One other way for Newman to get in would be if Chris Buescher falls outside the Top 30 and is unable to use his win to get in. Buescher currently sits 11 points ahead of David Ragan for that 30th position.

Richmond International Raceway is a .75 mile short track with a speedway feel as drivers reach speeds of 120+ mph. The banking and high speeds create exciting side by side racing. Track position will be very important this week as each of the last four winners at Richmond started inside the Top 4 and twice during that time eight drivers finishing inside the Top 10 started there. Be sure to check back Friday afternoon for updates on Practice and Qualifying.

The following schedule has been released:

• First Practice - Friday @ 10:00 am et
• Final Practice - Friday @ 12:00 pm et
• Qualifying - Friday @ 5:45 pm et
• Race - Saturday @ 7:30 pm et

 

Are looking to get better as fantasy NASCAR but don't have the time to conduct all the research necessary? Check out my DFS NASCAR Cheatsheet which will give you the edge to cash more consistently on DraftKings. The cheatsheet includes driver salaries, current form(Last 5 races), Track History(Last 5 Years), Loop Data, weekly salary trends,  and practice and qualifying ranks. I have also created a weighting system which changes weekly and takes in to account all of the things listed previously. I update the practice and qualifying as they happen which changes the overall rankings through the weekend. The cheatsheet will also be final shortly after the final practice. If you purchase the cheatsheet prior to final practice you will receive an email when the final lineup has been set.

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+)

 

Kevin Harvick
DraftKings - $10,700
Practice #1 - 13th
Final Practice - 21st
Qualified - 19th

He had a wining car again last weekend but came up short with a miscue on pit road. He once again spoke out to the media about the situation saying "I'm over being a cheerleader". It forced the hand of the team as they replaced the front tire changer and carrier for this weekends race. I love the narrative of Harvick coming out mad and winning another race before the Chase. It doesn't hurt he has great form with 20 Top 10 finishes in 25 starts this season. Harvick comes back to Richmond with terrific track history as well with two wins, five Top 5's and six Top 10 finishes in the last five years. I am allin on the #4 car this week.

 

Kyle Busch
DraftKings - $10,600
Practice #1 - 1st
Final Practice - 17th
Qualified - 9th 

IF we are talking about track history at Richmond the conversation has to start with Kyle Busch. In 22 career starts he has picked up four wins(leads active drivers), 15 Top 5's and has an amazing 6.86 average finish. The only thing keeping the #18 from the top spot this week is his current form as he has finished three straight races outside the Top 10. Over the last 10 races Kyle has averaged 53.5 DraftKings points per race which ranks second to Harvick. Look for the #18 team to come out strong this week as they look to build momentum on their quest to a back to back championship.

 

Denny Hamlin 
DraftKings - $9,500
Practice #1 - 3rd
Final Practice - 7th
Qualified - 1st

Hamlin is riding some terrific form lately with seven straight Top 10 finishes including a win at Watkins Glen. Hamlin is the hometown kid here at Richmond and has some up and down track history over his career. He has two wins(2009/2010) and 11 Top 10 finishes in 20 races and after a four race stretch finishing outside the Top 20 he has now finished 6th in back to back races here at Richmond. The JGR cars have been excellent here at Richmond with all four of them finishing inside the Top 11 in each of the last two races dating back to last fall. At a mid $9K price tag he is great option in any format again this week.

 

Also Consider - Carl Edwards

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

 

Ryan Newman
DraftKings - $8,000
Practice #1 - 18th
Final Practice - 23rd
Qualified - 15th

He was going to be in a great position to battle for a Chase spot this week....until he got a 15 point penalty for a rear toe that was out a fraction of inch. Pffft. I won't get into my opinion on the matter here and will save it for a later blog. Newman now sits 22 points back of Jamie McMurray and would need a near miracle to get into the Chase. He definitely has track history in his favor this week with a 11.72 average finish(4th among active drivers) for his career with a win a 16 Top 10 finishes. His price hasn't changed and is again safe in any format.

 

Jamie McMurray
DraftKings - $7,500
Practice #1 - 9th
Final Practice - 4th
Qualified - 4th

Looking at the $7K guys I had a hard time deciding between Kahne and McMurray. I originally though Kahne would be over looked with McMurray in a big spot with a Chase spot on the line. Kahne was actually about 2-3% higher owned last week in the lower tier tournaments and while he he scored 20 more DK points this week it has been McMurray outscoring Kahne in the three previous races with 8th place finishes in all of them. He has been one of the most consistent non winners on the season and is fighting for his Chase life.  He is safe in all formats this week.

 

 

Also Consider - Kasey Kahne

 

 

Low End Targets ($6,900 and Below)

 

A.J. Allmendinger
DraftKings - $6,600
Practice #1 - 30th
Final Practice - 27th
Qualified - 16th

Of the 20 drivers in the bottom tier this week it is Allmendinger with the best track history over the past five years with a 16.3 average finish in nine races. He also has the best five race current form with an average finish of 13.0 and has scored 34.2 DK points per race. Before factoring in practice and qualifying data Allmendinger ranks 15th in model and comes in 24th in salary. I smell value. Be sure to check back for practice/qualifying updates Friday afternoon.

 

Also Consider - Aric Almirola

 

 

Post Practice & Qualifying Update

Qualifying Top 10

1. #11 Denny Hamlin
2. #42 Kyle Larson
3. #20 Matt Kenseth
4. #1 Jamie McMurray
5. #41 Kurt Busch
6. Martin Truex Jr.
7. #5 Kasey Kahne
8. #3 Austin Dillon
9. #18 Kyle Busch
10. #48 Jimmie Johnson

 

A good day at the office.#CoorsLightPole pic.twitter.com/qgcrN2Pn7W

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 9, 2016

 

 

 

 

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 Federated Auto Parts 400? 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.