After completing two races in the Southwestern United States, the Cup Series moves back cross-country to Atlanta, Georgia. Looking at the track specs for Atlanta Motor Speedway, it is a 1.5 mile, Quad oval track.
A 500-mile track, the event requires 325 laps to complete. With 325 laps to complete, that works out to 81.25 DK points that will be available. Targeting more than one driver that holds solid lap leading potential will be pivotal. On the pole for Sunday will be Denny Hamlin sitting opposite last week’s winner Martin Truex Jr.
This week, the Money Train delves into the DFS options for Sunday’s Cup Series event in Hampton, GA. I’ve broken down the selections between high salary, mid-range, and value play. Included are player salaries from both FanDuel and DraftKings. Best of luck to everyone with their lineups this weekend.
High Salary
Brad Keselowski (13,000 FD 10,200 DK)
Although it wasn’t the dominating performance some may have hoped for at Phoenix, it was a productive day nonetheless. In that race, Keselowski finished third, in average running position, and was fourth in fastest laps. Certainly, a nice add-on showing after his runner-up finish at Las Vegas the week prior.
If there is one driver that I would argue is being a little underrated this Sunday, it’s the No. 2. Consider the last four visits to Atlanta in which Keselowski has split half the wins with Harvick. He’s also got solid lap-leading potential, having clocked off at least 20 or more laps in three of the last four visits.
Set to come off the line fifth overall, Keselowski should be able to give those lead cars plenty of problems early. Bearing in mind that coming into this event, he ranks third in quality passes. Pair him with another potential dominator, and you should be in a good position to potentially control the points through lap leads.
Kevin Harvick (14,000 FD 11,000 DK)
If Harvick is ever going to get himself back into the win column, this is the track that he is best suited to do it. A winner here in two of the last three visits, he’s been as efficient as you can ask. However, we’re on the hunt for potential dominators, and over the last six years, Harvick has answered the bell. Consider his last seven visits to the track, in which he’s led well over 1,000 laps.
He’s slotted sixth in the running order for Sunday, so a shallow enough starting spot in which to give himself a chance early. If Harvick can manage to lead a good chunk of laps in this next race, it could be a huge boost. Already, five races into the season, Harvick ranks 11th among drivers in laps led.
Sitting seventh in driver points, he has been consistent enough. However, we need him to get back to that chieftain. Although Harvick might have left more than a few owners feeling a little unsure this season, I would suggest taking one last big swing. The oddsmakers currently have him as the favorite for outright winner.
Mid-Range
Tyler Reddick (7,500 FD 8,400 DK)
Not sure what to make of Reddick lately as he looked almost unstoppable at Homestead just three weeks ago. Contact with the wall on lap 266 would snuff out any chance at a top 10 run last weekend at Phoenix. Reddicks had the speed just needs to start putting it all together.
Atlanta has been a track where he has managed to finish well in his limited attempts. In Reddick’s cup debut here last season, he carved up eight opposing cars en route to a 16th place run. He also picked up a fifth-place result at this track in his final visit as an Xfinity regular.
There’s a handful of drivers I like this week as solid place differential grabs, including Reddick that comes off the line, deep in the running order. If he can work himself into a top 18 place finish, that wouldn’t be too shabby of an outcome. Reddick currently sits 27th in series points, so he certainly needs to get rolling.
Value Play
Cole Custer (7,000 FD 7,600 DK)
Last Sunday’s outcome was a little hard to swallow for many Custer owners, I’m sure. With just under 17 laps left to go, Custer looked to be cruising to a top 15 run. Unfortunately, a rough hit in the back from Bubba Wallace would send him to the pits. By the end of the event, he would finish 31st overall.
Atlanta Motor Speedway is as good a track as any for a nice bounce back. Custer’s lone attempt here as a cup driver last June ended in a 19th place finish, in which he’d start from as deep as 31st. Coming from 27th in the running order Sunday, he should again be worthy of a top 18 type role.
Drivers like Custer should hold a nice balance for your team (while attempting to load up on lap leaders). After leaving owners high and dry last Sunday, this is an opportunity for Custer to repay the disillusioned. I would consider taking a flier on the Stewart-Haas wheelman.
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