The NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington is on Sunday and DraftKings is offering a new way to play fantasy NASCAR. The game is simple. Build a “Pick Set” (2+ drivers) and decide if they will outperform their stat projections. Here is some advice to help build your DraftKings Pick6 Pick Sets for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington.
Tyler Reddick: Fastest Laps – 14.5
Pick6 Play: More
The Southern 500 is hard to predict. Darlington Raceway, known as “The Track Too Tough to Tame” and “The Lady in Black,” challenges drivers and fantasy NASCAR players alike. When a racetrack earns two nicknames, it speaks volumes. The Cook Out Southern 500, a Crown Jewel Race, brings out the best in drivers and demands their very best—but even the best don’t always win. Unlike a traditional intermediate-track race, Darlington is unique. The race begins in daylight and ends under the lights. The track itself deviates from the typical 1.5-mile length, featuring an oblong design with steep banking that creates a fast racing line next to the wall. Most notably, this is a 500-mile race. Stock cars running inches from the wall for 500 miles as the track conditions evolve make predicting finishing positions a daunting task.
Tyler Reddick is one of the best at Darlington. He dances with The Lady in Black, with only Kyle Larson running closer to the wall. Reddick’s fearless driving style makes him a risky pick for finishing position in fantasy NASCAR. A single misstep could see him crash into the wall, ruining a Pick6 card. The safer bet is fastest laps. Reddick can score these from any position, racking up points early before a potential wreck, allowing Pick6 players to cash out.
Denny Hamlin: Fastest Laps – 40.5
Pick6 Play: Less
It’s hard to ignore the advantage of pole position and the No. 1 pit stall, but it’s even harder to overlook the Darlington experts starting inside the top 10. Denny Hamlin is among the best at Darlington, yet his dominance stands apart. Hamlin knows how to win without driving dangerously. Unlike some drivers, he isn’t interested in running inches from the wall, nor does he prioritize piling up fastest laps.
Recent trends show that pole position doesn’t guarantee fastest laps. Strategy dominates in the Gen-7 car era. Teams gamble for track position, rolling the dice with fuel management. Some opt for shorter pit stops by not filling up, saving time on pit road. Leaders often conserve speed, backing up in corners to maintain control. Slower can be faster when it comes to winning races, but not for scoring fastest laps.
Many variables could prevent Hamlin from posting the fastest laps, but one matters most: Hamlin himself. His focus isn’t on clocking the quickest times—it’s on winning. He aims to safely accrue points to advance in the playoffs. Despite never winning a Cup Series championship, Hamlin is the favorite this season. He won’t jeopardize that goal on Sunday night.
For NASCAR insight and quick DFS help, follow Pearce Dietrich (@Race4thePrize) on Twitter.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing at least two players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
