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DraftKings NASCAR: 2015 Fedex 400 Fantasy Analysis

By Rich Pelesky

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2015 FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks Fantasy Analysis for DraftKings NASCAR Contests

Welcome back to FantasyCPR’s coverage of the 2015 FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway to be held on Sunday, May 31st. Whether you are a fantasy racing player or just a NASCAR fan, let us be your one stop shop for all the information you need to prepare you for NASCAR races in the 2015 season. Go to our Fantasy NASCAR Hub at https://fansided.com/category/nascar-fantasy/ and bookmark it!

First, let’s take a look at the field. Each driver’s DraftKings salary and salary rank is in parenthesis. To look at the drivers in salary order go to DraftKings and enter one of their NASCAR contests. If you haven’t joined DraftKings yet and want to play in these exciting contests, use this link to sign up and you will earn a 4 free entries ($25 value) for any sport (one $12 ticket, two $5 tickets, and one $3 ticket).

FedEx 400, Green Flag Drop: 1:15 p.m.

Qualifying Order (NOTE: This does not reflect any moves to back of the field that may be put in place by NASCAR for certain cars at the start of the race):

  1. #11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx Cares Toyota ($10,800, 10th)
  2. #78 Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Chevrolet ($10,200, 12th)
  3. #42 Kyle Larson, Target Chevrolet ($9,500, 15th)
  4. #20 Matt Kenseth, Dollar General Toyota ($11,200, 9th)
  5. #22 Joey Logano, Shell Pennzoil Ford ($11,600, 7th)
  6. # 4 Kevin Harvick, Ditech John’s Chevrolet ($13,900, 1st)
  7. #16 Greg Biffle, Safety-Kleen Ford ($8,800, 19th)
  8. #19 Carl Edwards, Stanley Toyota ($11,500, 8th)
  9. #17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford Ecobooat Ford ($7,800, 27th)
  10. #18 Kyle Busch, Skittles Toyota ($10,300, 11th)
  11. #1 Jamie McMurray, McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet ($9,400 17th)
  12. #3 Austin Dillon, Dow Chevrolet ($8,500, 21st)
  13. #41 Kurt Busch, Haas Automation Chevrolet ($12,500, 3rd)
  14. #48 Jimmie Johnson, Lowe’s Chevrolet ($13,000, 2nd)
  15. #55 David Ragan, Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota ($8,800, 20th)
  16. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr., Nationwide Chevrolet ($11,800, 5th)
  17. #31 Ryan Newman, Caterpillar Chevrolet ($9,800 14th)
  18. #27 Paul Menard, Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet ($8,400, 22nd)
  19. #2 Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Ford ($12,100, 4th)
  20. #15 Clint Bowyer, AAA Toyota ($9,400, 16th)
  21. #13 Casey Mears, GEICO Chevrolet ($7,700, 28th)
  22. #24 Jeff Gordon, 3M Chevrolet ($11,700, 6th)
  23. #43 Aric Almirola, Smithfield Ford ($8,000, 23rd)
  24. #51 Justin Allgaier, AccuDoc Solutions/FOE Chevrolet ($7,600, 31st)
  25. #5 Kasey Kahne, FARMERS Chevrolet ($10,100, 13th)
  26. #14 Tony Stewart, Code 3 Associates/Mobil 1 Chevrolet ($9,200, 18th)
  27. #33 Brian Scott, ACME Chevrolet ($7,700, 28th)
  28. #9 Sam Hornish Jr., Twisted Tea Ford ($7,800, 26th)
  29. #47 AJ Allmendinger, Scott Products Chevrolet ($8,000, 23rd)
  30. #7 Alex Bowman, Chevrolet ($7,300, 36th)
  31. #6 Trevor Bayne, Advocare Ford ($7,700, 28th)
  32. #38 David Gilliland, The Pete Store Ford ($7,600, 31st)
  33. #10 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevrolet ($8,000, 23rd)
  34. #46 Michael Annett, Pilot Flying J Chevrolet ($7,200, 39th)
  35. #26 Jeb Burton, Maxim Fantasy Sports Toyota ($7,300, 36th)
  36. #83 Matt DiBenedetto, Dustless Blasting Toyota ($7,200, 39th)
  37. #35 Cole Whitt, Speed Stick Ford ($7,200, 39th)
  38. #34 Brett Moffitt, CSX/Play It Safe Ford ($7,000, 43rd)
  39. #98 Josh Wise, Ford ($7,300, 36th)
  40. #23 J.J. Yeley, Hope for the Warriors Toyota ($7,400, 34th)
  41. #62 Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet ($7,200, 39th)
  42. #32 Mike Bliss, CorvetteParts.net ($7,400, 34th)
  43. #40 Landon Cassill, Snap Fitness Chevrolet ($7,500, 33rd)

Live Feed

NASCAR: Denny Hamlin not the big winner at Pocono
NASCAR: Denny Hamlin not the big winner at Pocono /

Beyond the Flag

  • NASCAR: Kyle Busch reveals ideal retirement seasonBeyond the Flag
  • NASCAR: Denny Hamlin penalty could come back to haunt himBeyond the Flag
  • NASCAR: Denny Hamlin ties all-time unwanted recordBeyond the Flag
  • NASCAR: Major recurring issue not a factor at PoconoBeyond the Flag
  • NASCAR: Recurring issue may not be a factor at PoconoBeyond the Flag

    • General DraftKings Strategy: The next thing to consider while filling out your teams is the DraftKings scoring system. DraftKings owners will draft a team of 5 drivers with a $50,000 Salary Cap. Scoring will be based on several factors including a driver’s Finishing Position, Place Differential, Fastest Laps, Laps Led, and Pass Differential. Please refer to the Daily Fantasy NASCAR Strategy Guide by DraftKings that breaks down the specific rules and point calculations that govern these contests.

    Jun 1, 2014; Dover, DE, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jimmie Johnson (48) celebrates after winning the FedEx 400 at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

    The salaries used are set weekly for each contest before qualifying and practice and are based on the overall strength of each driver/team/car for that particular race. The calculations that DraftKings use to determine drivers’ salaries are based on a driver’s ability to score fantasy points and as such consider all the five aforementioned factors. Since NASCAR is a new Daily Fantasy game, DraftKings has made it easier for players to understand the scoring system by listing a driver’s Fantasy Points Per Race (FPPR) next to a driver’s salary that shows a driver’s performance to date (including 2015 races that did not have DK contests). The following are some of the factors that determine a driver’s salary and something that a fantasy player should look at:

    1. A Driver and/or Team’s current level of speed and performance this season.
    2. A Driver and/or Team’s history at that specific track and race.
    3. A Driver and/or Team’s history at similar tracks and races.

    However, because these salaries are set prior to qualifying and practice, there are many things that can change a driver’s relative fantasy value before the race starts. Some things to consider:

    1. Qualifying and practice speed are a good (but not the only) indicator of a driver’s projected performance and factor largely in a driver’s potential to maximize points in the Finish Position, Fastest Laps, and Laps Led categories.
    2. Finding drivers that are starting further back in the field but could still be a contender is important in the Place Differential and Pass Differential categories.
    3. Considering a Driver’s Pit Crew proficiency is also important as drivers with fast cars can earn more points in the Pass Differential category during green flag racing due to lost track position during pit stops.

    FedEx 400 Fantasy Strategy: Although my race picks will not be released until after the final practice sessions on Saturday, here is a sneak peek at some of the trends that will factor into my selections:

    1. This race is on a unique one mile track with a concrete surface where tire management is paramount.
    2. Strongly consider drivers that have a good history in this race. Also consider drivers with a good history at Bristol, which is another concrete track.
    3. Dover International Speedway is a rythym track and teams that can be fast on long runs will be most successful.
    4. In both 2014 and 2015 Chevrolets have 3 cars in the Top 6 in qualifying.
    5. Qualifying is not everything however as 7 of the Top 14 finishers in 2014 started 15th or worse.
    6. Look for Drivers and Teams that have demonstrated consistent speed over all of the practice and qualifying runs.
    7. However, race conditions are a lot different than practice and qualifying as rubber gets laid down on the track. As such, drivers and crews that can adjust to changing conditions will benefit.
    8. Pit Position and Pit Crew performance will be especially important here.
    9. Four drivers had the benefit of Goodyear Tire testing here this year: Larson, McMurray, Hamlin, and Partrick.
    10. This track rewards aggressive drivers who can take advantage to gain track position especially while their tires are fresh.

    We will be back on Saturday evening with our Coca-Cola 600 Fantasy Picks!

    Next: Fantasy NASCAR: DraftKings Preview for the FedEx 400