The XFINITY Series is visiting Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Rinnai 250, and now that qualifying is in the books, it is time to take a closer look at the top options for DraftKings.
As expected, most of the drivers for the top teams are starting up front, so I’m not putting too much stock in the place differential category today. There tends to be a sizeable gap between the top teams and everyone else, and I’m not expecting many surprises to come surging through the field.
With that in mind, I’m more concerned with finding cheaper drivers who can deliver Top 10 finishes, regardless of where they are starting, than I am with gambling on a driver from a smaller team starting way in the back.
Of course, you need to start your lineup with a couple of drivers who can deliver dominator points. Even with just 163 laps on tap, the dominator categories are still going to carry a lot of weight, especially since you aren’t likely to find a significant amount of place differential points available today.
Check out all my top plays for today’s Rinnai 250 at Atlanta and start making some money playing NASCAR XFINITY Series DFS, the newest addition to DraftKings NASCAR contest lineup.
Top Dominators
Kevin Harvick ($10,900)
Atlanta has been Harvick’s playground in the XFINTIY Series. He has won three of his last five races here, finishing in the Top 5 in 10 of his last 11 starts. Harvick led a race-high 64 laps here last season, and he has led 30-plus laps in eight of his last nine starts, leading 100-plus laps five times. Starting in the Top 5, Harvick looks like the best bet to win the dominator categories this weekend.
Joey Logano ($10,800)
Although he doesn’t quite have Harvick’s history at Atlanta, Logano is still one of the most accomplished drivers in the field this weekend. He’s also starting on the front row, so he could be out front and earning dominator points from the drop of the green. Logano should be one of the main threats for the win today, and he could easily end up as the top scorer at DraftKings.
Christopher Bell ($9,000)
While he doesn’t have many XFINITY starts under his belt, Bell has already been to victory lane in the series, winning at a 1.5-mile track no less. Bell will start from the pole today, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him lead a bunch laps while contending for the win. Even with two Cup stars lurking, Bell could end up as the top scorer today.
Value Plays
Justin Allgaier ($9,400)
He’s a cash game only play, but with Allgaier starting back in 17th, you won’t find anyone with a safer floor. He’s one of the top series regulars and a staple of the Top 10, so I fully expect him to capitalize on his upside in the place differential category.
Austin Cindric ($7,600)
His driving style scares me a bit, but the risk could be worth the reward. Cindric is driving Team Penske equipment, and he has shown Top 10 speed all weekend. He’s starting ninth, and the potential for a Top 10 finish and 30-plus fantasy at this price can’t be ignored. Keep him in mind for bigger tournaments.
Chase Briscoe ($7,400)
Briscoe will make his series debut today, and he showed enough potential in the Truck Series to catch my eye. Driving for a quality organization like Roush Fenway Racing won’t hurt his chances either. He also starts 18th, so he actually has some upside through place differential. Briscoe should at least be a safe, solid play for a great price.
John Hunter Nemechek ($7,300)
He is also making his XFINITY Series debut this weekend, but Nemechek has great equipment and has shown plenty of speed. He starts third, and while he might lose a few spots, a Top 10 finish is definitely possible. At worst, Nemechek finishes with around 30 fantasy points after a solid finish, and there is always a chance he leads a few laps and delivers a Top 5. Either way, he has too much potential to pass up at this price.
Kyle Benjamin ($7,100)
He has only made a handful of XFINITY starts, but Benjamin has shown the ability to lead laps and challenge for Top 5s. He starts eighth today, so while he doesn’t have much differential upside, he does have the ability to provide 30-plus fantasy points at a bargain price based just off his finishing position.
Sleeper Special
Alex Labbe ($4,900)
Labbe starts back in 33rd today, but he managed to crack the Top 25 in both practice sessions. A Top 25 for this price would be a bargain, and he should at least be able to provide positive points while freeing up a bunch of cap space.
