The NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix 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 Championship at Phoenix.
Kyle Larson – Finishing Position: 3.5
Pick6 Play: Better
Short-run speed doesn’t matter. Larson’s best five-lap average was 27.71 seconds. The best five-lap run of the session was 27.61 (Ryan Blaney). When it came time for qualifying, Larson bested Blaney by two spots. The No. 5 Hendrick Chevy is fast out of the chute. It’s fast on the long run as well. Larson was the fastest or second-fastest on 10-lap, 15-lap, 20-lap and 25-lap runs. He completed over 60 laps in Saturday’s session. His slowest laps (laps 40 to 66) were faster than any other driver in the field.
This race will likely come down to pit road, but a driver needs to be up front to capitalize on chance. A driver also needs a fast pit crew. Larson’s long-run speed should lock him in up front. His pit crew gives him the chance to creep to the front. The last part is who can win in the clutch? Larson is the only playoff driver to accomplish this feat.
Denny Hamlin – Finishing Position: 3.5
Pick6 Play: Worse
Everything has gone as planned. Hamlin qualified for the Cup Series Championship by winning the first race of the Round of 8. He and his team turned their focus to the short track in the desert a week earlier than others. Hamlin didn’t need to worry about Talladega or Martinsville. He’s been locked in on Phoenix. The focus paid off. Hamlin won Saturday. The No. 11 JGR Toyota will start on the pole and has the No. 1 pit stall.
Be careful what you wish for. Hamlin is an analytical racer. But what happens when the most analytical driver in the sport has too much time to prepare. Does he dominate or crack? Does it matter? Hamlin has said himself, the best car doesn’t win. Races come down to yellow flags. When do they occur? What happens on pit road? Who stays out or who takes two tires? All the preparation in the world cannot prepare for fate. Hamlin’s fate is to never win the big one. And that’s okay. The big one isn’t really a big one. The modern playoff era has diluted the Cup Series Championship Title. Hamlin is a Hall-of-Famer. Losing the 2025 Cup Series Championship will not be a blemish on his record.
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 2+ players and select whether 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
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ 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!
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
