NASCAR is back and Fantasy NASCAR returns on DraftKings for the Cup Series season-opening exhibition at The Madhouse. The green flag for the 2025 DFS NASCAR season waves on Sunday night, and a $50K grand prize is on the line. Check out the DFS NASCAR rankings below and make your fantasy racing picks for the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray.
For NASCAR insight and quick DFS help, follow Pearce Dietrich (@Race4thePrize) on Twitter.
Set your DraftKings fantasy NASCAR lineups here: NAS $200K Piston [$50k to 1st] (Clash)
1. Christopher Bell ($10,300) — An elite short-track racer should be at the top of any fantasy lineup. A near-victory at last year’s Clash and a win at Martinsville in the fall prove his dominance on tight, technical layouts. Short-run speed and composure under pressure make him a strong contender for Sunday’s race.
2. Joey Logano ($9,800) — Aggressive driving in exhibition races makes him a top-tier fantasy pick. A victory in last year’s Clash and multiple Martinsville wins highlight his ability to execute bump-and-run passes while defending track position. A willingness to take risks in no-points races makes him a strong candidate for another big performance.
3. Denny Hamlin ($10,100) — A well-rounded short-track racer knows how to manage restarts and control the pace. Strong results at Martinsville and Richmond indicate an ability to thrive in heavy traffic and capitalize on short-run speed. If late-race restarts occur, expect him to be in contention for the win.
4. Kyle Larson ($10,500) — A background in dirt racing and non-traditional disciplines gives him an edge in unpredictable races. The ability to adjust to changing track conditions and find alternative passing lines will be critical at Bowman Gray. If an outside groove develops, he will be the first to make it work.
5. William Byron ($9,600) — A steady improvement on flat short tracks makes him a reliable mid-tier play. Success at Martinsville and Richmond suggests that he has learned how to conserve tires while maintaining position, which will be key at a track where passing is difficult and contact is constant.
6. Chase Briscoe ($9,400) — Grab a gear or go to the rear. The Gen-7 car lacks giddy-up, so Briscoe pioneered the gear-down-gear-up approach at short tracks. It’s transformed his career. He struggled at short tracks with more horsepower in the Xfinity Series. In the Cup Series cupcake package, it’s been Briscoe disco.
7. Tyler Reddick ($8,400) — An aggressive but calculated approach could work in his favor at Bowman Gray. A background in dirt racing provides him with the car control necessary to handle a race filled with bumper-to-bumper contact. If he qualifies inside the top 10, expect him to fight for every inch of track position.
8. Ryan Preece ($7,400) — A long history of success in the Modified Series makes him a perfect mid-tier fantasy pick. Extensive experience navigating tight, single-groove tracks gives him an edge over drivers with little exposure to this type of racing. If he qualifies well, he will be a popular DFS selection.
9. Brad Keselowski ($8,600) — A methodical approach to short-track racing and race management could put him in position for a strong finish. If the race turns into a single-file event with limited passing, pit strategy and restarts will be key, and Keselowski has the patience to capitalize on others’ mistakes.
10. Ross Chastain ($7,800) — An unpredictable yet exciting fantasy option should be considered in tournament lineups. A willingness to use the bumper and force the issue could result in significant position gains, but the risk of drawing retaliation from competitors remains high. A boom-or-bust fantasy play with high upside. This is the “Free Bird Solo” pick of the week.
11. Alex Bowman ($8,200) — A tendency to run clean races and capitalize on attrition makes him a valuable budget-friendly selection. Short-track performances have been inconsistent, but a cautious strategy could result in a better-than-expected finish. If the leaders begin wrecking each other, a quiet and steady approach may lead to a top-10 finish.
12. Justin Haley ($6,700) — A low-salary short-track specialist could provide strong value in fantasy lineups. Top-10 speed at Martinsville and Richmond suggests that he knows how to manage the rhythm of short-track racing. A smart approach could lead to a strong DFS performance relative to salary.
13. Michael McDowell ($6,400) — An ability to stay out of trouble and execute a clean race makes him an intriguing sleeper pick. If multiple cautions occur late in the race, a well-executed restart could push him into the top 10.
14. Noah Gragson ($7,000) — A fearless racing style means that he could either gain multiple positions or wreck trying. A high-risk, high-reward fantasy play should only be considered in tournament formats. If he survives the chaos, an aggressive approach could outperform his salary value.
15. John H. Nemechek ($5,500) — A strategy focused on minimizing mistakes and capitalizing on others’ misfortunes could allow him to pick up positions late. Surviving multiple overtime restarts and staying clean could result in a respectable finish relative to his low salary. Nemechek was an optimal pick in last season’s Clash simply by avoiding wrecks and grabbing a couple spots on the final restarts.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is greenflagradio2) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
