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Texas Motor Speedway has been on the NASCAR calendar since being completed in 1996. But the raceway will feel different than it ever has for today’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 as part of the NASCAR Cup Series. Up to 67,000 fans will be allowed in the race, far short of the normal crowd at the Fort Worth track.
DraftKings has plenty of DFS contests before the green flag drops at 3:15 p.m., and we break down some of the best picks to round out your roster below, and you can set your lineups here.
Modest Sleepers
Aric Almirola ($8,100)
The pride of Tampa’s Hillsborough High School was on a serious heater before the Charlotte All-Star races, and even won a stage in the Open race there to qualify for the main field. Prior to that, had finished 5th, 3rd, 3rd, 5th, 3rd in his last four Cup starts. Averaging 34.8 DFS points per race this season, but 59.8 in his last six Cup points races. And he starts on the pole today with a reasonable chance to win. Also finished second here last November.
Austin Dillon ($6,900)
Has three-straight Top 15’s at this track, but more importantly has been grinding out cheap DFS points this season. He’s averaging 30.8 per race, making him a better option that plenty of others in this price range. And the starting position of 21st today gives you plenty of upside for points while still allowing a Top 10 or 15 finish to score well.
Deep Sleepers
Michael McDowell ($6,600)
They raised the price on him, but he’s still undervalued. And when he’s not wreckin’ and preachin’ at Bubba Wallace, his numbers this season have been outstanding. 19th in points per race this season, but 24th in salary cost. Take away his wreck in the second race at Pocono, and he’s finished in the top half of the field in six straight races. Also eighth in the first at Pocono, and seventh at Indy. And was in contention at the NASCAR All-Star Open as well.
John Nemechek ($6,000)
Grinds out cheap points each week in his rookie season, and the Front Row Motorsports #38 Ford has beaten his starting position on all the fastest tracks such as Daytona and Talladega. An average of 27.7 fantasy points per race, he starts 28th today with room to improve.