The NASCAR XFINITY Series visits New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend, and looking at the entry list for Saturday’s Roxor 200, it should be chance for the “Big 3” to flex their muscles. Of course, this also means that you should also build around the “Big 3” when constructing your NASCAR DFS lineups at DraftKings.
Even though the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series is also in town, Paul Menard is the only notable driver pulling double duty. Yes, he’s been solid in his recent XFINITY starts, but he simply doesn’t carry the dominator potential of a Kyle Busch or Brad Keselowski. I’m expecting some combination of Christopher Bell, Cole Custer and Tyler Reddick to do the heavy lifting in the dominator categories again this weekend.
Last year, Bell and Brad Keselowski combined to lead a majority of the race, and both drivers led more than 80 laps. Two drivers doing most of the damage in the dominator categories has been common at New Hampshire recently, I plan on building around a couple of high-priced studs in most of my lineups.
Looking at the driver salaries, there also seems to be quite a few mid-priced drivers with upside this weekend. Noah Gragson, Ryan Truex and Brandon Jones are all slotted below $9,000, and Ryan Sieg is available for less than $8,000. Even if you roster a couple of studs, you should still be able to build a solid lineup overall by using just a single punt play.
If you are willing to take an aggressive approach with some of these boom-or-bust drivers with Top 10 upside, the opportunity to post a big point total should be there. Qualifying could force your hand a bit as far as strategy goes, but if most of the quality options start near the front, I will have no problem forgoing place differential upside for finishing potential this weekend.
Feel free to reach out on Twitter at @BPolking after qualifying with any specific questions about a driver or for general lineup advice. In the meantime, check out a closer look at the drivers who I have my eye on at DraftKings for the XFINITY Series Roxor 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
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Must-Own Drivers
Cole Custer ($11,800)
Custer is developing into a star before our eyes, and he heads to New Hampshire with a series-best five wins under his belt. Granted, he has been good but not great in his first two starts here, finishing ninth in both 2017 and 2018 while not leading any laps. However, Custer has taken his performance to another level in 2019, and needs to be considered one of the best bets to finish as the No. 1 overall scorer at DraftKings no matter the track.
Christopher Bell ($11,200)
Bell made his XFINITY Series debut at New Hampshire last year, and he promptly parked his No. 20 Toyota in victory lane, leading a race-high 93 laps and outdueling Cup star Brad Keselowski in the process. Bell has been the best in the business at piling up dominator points in 2019, and he could dominate at “The Magic Mile” for the second consecutive year.
Tyler Reddick ($10,700)
A cut tire ruined his chances of a decent finish in his New Hampshire debut last season, but Reddick should bounce back in a big way. After all, he has 14 Top 10s and a 5.5 average finish in the first 17 races this year, and he has been a steady force in the dominator categories. Make sure Reddick finds his way into plenty of your lineups this weekend.
Difference Makers and Value Plays
Paul Menard ($9,800)
He will pilot a second Team Penske entry this weekend, and Menard has been a force whenever he gets the chance to drive for the organization. He has finished in the Top 5 in all five of his starts, leading 56 laps and finishing fourth in his only start so far this season. Menard should have Top 5 upside and some dominator potential this weekend.
Michael Annett ($9,600)
Annett has been a surprise Top 10 performer all year, and New Hampshire has always been one of his better tracks. He has posted a 13.3 average finish in seven starts here, gaining an average of 10.4 spots per race. I fully expect him to run in the Top 10 Saturday, and if he qualifies in the middle of the pack, he will be a must-own driver in cash games.
John Hunter Nemechek ($9,400)
He has been at his best on the shorter tracks throughout his young career, and Nemechek had a great debut at New Hampshire last season, qualifying and finishing in the Top 5. He even recorded 11 fastest laps in that race. Nemechek has been running in and around the Top 10 all year, and New Hampshire is a track where he could take his performance to the next level.
Harrison Burton ($9,000)
Although Burton has been under some fire for not winning in the Truck Series, he’s probably exceeded expectations at the XFINITY level. He finished 10th at Bristol in his series debut earlier this year, and Burton logged a Top 5 finish at Iowa in his second start. Burton will be back with Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend at New Hampshire, and he should be able to deliver a Top 10 while potentially pushing for a Top 5.
Ryan Truex ($8,400)
Truex will make his third start in the JR Motorsports No. 8 this weekend, and his first two starts have resulted in a second-place finish at Phoenix and an eighth-place run at Kentucky. Needless to say, he should have a Top 10 floor with Top 5 upside at New Hampshire this weekend, and his price tag won’t break your budget.
Brandon Jones ($8,200)
Joe Gibbs Racing has had a history of success at New Hampshire, and in his first XFINITY start at the track for JGR, Jones finished sixth in last year’s race. He has shown Top 5 potential all year, albeit on an inconsistent basis, but that high ceiling can make him a real X-factor in GPP contests. Jones could be a steal at this price.
Ryan Sieg ($7,800)
He has taken his performance to another level in 2019, and his 12.8 average finish is nearly six full spots better than any other season of his career. Meanwhile, his seven Top 10s are already four more than his previous career high. Sieg has cracked the Top 15 in two of his last three starts at New Hampshire, and given his improved numbers this year, he should have a great shot at a Top 10 run. I love that he’s available for less than $8,000.
Kaz Grala ($7,600)
Grala will be back in the Richard Childress Racing No. 21 for the fourth time this season, and he’s picked up Top 15s in two of his three previous starts for the team. He also picked up a Top 15 in his New Hampshire debut last year. If he has some differential upside after qualifying, he should be a great mid-priced play for cash lineups.
Shane Lee ($7,100)
He and his H2 Motorsports team got a late start to the year, but Lee is quickly proving to be a valuable DFS option. He has posted an 18.2 average finish in his first four starts, gaining an average of 6.6 spots per race. Assuming he qualifies outside the Top 20 again this weekend, he should be able to provide around 30 fantasy points for a great price.
Sleeper Specials
Alex Labbe ($5,700)
He has only made three XFINITY starts in 2019, but Labbe has cracked the Top 25 in two of them. He also finished 23rd at New Hampshire last season. His starting spot will play a big role, but if he qualifies around 30th, he could be a cheap source for around 20 fantasy points.
Chad Finchum ($5,400)
The sample size is small, but Finchum had a solid debut at New Hampshire last season. He started 34th, but he moved up 21st by the end of the race. Another Top 25 isn’t out of the question, and Finchum could be worth a flier for some cap relief he starts outside the Top 30.