Fantasy NASCAR Picks for 2015 Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400

Fantasy NASCAR Picks for 2015 Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard

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If you haven’t already, check out our 2015 Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard Fantasy Preview and Fantasy Analysis. This will give you insight in how you should make your selections for the race which is based on track and race history as well as the initial practices. Also, it has resources to help fantasy players familiarize themselves with the new DraftKings Daily NASCAR contests and scoring.

Before we get to my picks, let’s take a look at the field!

Next: The Field: Qualifying Order with DraftKings Salaries

Jul 25, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Matt Kenseth waits in line during qualifications for the Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

If you are new to these games, please refer to the Daily Fantasy NASCAR Strategy Guide by DraftKings that breaks down the specific rules and point calculations that govern these contests.

Race Entrants in Qualifying Order w/ DraftKings Salaries

1. #19 Carl Edwards, Stanley Toyota for $10,300
2. #22 Joey Logano, Shell Pennzoil Ford  for $11,200
3. #55 David Ragan, Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota for $8,100
4. #14 Tony Stewart, Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops for $9,000
5. #42 Kyle Larson, Target Chevrolet for $10,000
6. #4 Kevin Harvick, Jimmy John’s/Budweiser Chevrolet for $13,900
7. #15 Clint Bowyer, 5-Hour Energy Toyota for $8,500
8. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr., Nationwide Chevrolet for $11,400
9. #18 Kyle Busch, Skittles Toyota for $11,800
10. #1 Jamie McMurray, McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet For $9,600
11. #27 Paul Menard, Duracell/Menards Chevrolet for $8,700
12. #48 Jimmie Johnson, Kobalt Tools Chevrolet $12,400
13. #78 Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Chevrolet $12,100
14. #41 Kurt Busch, Haas Automation Chevrolet for $11,600
15. #10 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevrolet for $7,600
16. #13 Casey Mears GEICO Chevrolet SS for $7,700
17. #11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota for $10,200
18. #9 Sam Hornish Jr., Medallion Bank Ford for $8,200
19. #24 Jeff Gordon, 3M Chevrolet for $11,000
20. #16 Greg Biffle, Lilly/ADA Ford Fusion for $8,600
21. #51 Justin Allgaier, Brandt Chevrolet for $7,400
22. #43 Aric Almirola, Eckrich Ford for $7,800
23. #20 Matt Kenseth, Dollar General Toyota for $11,300
24. #40 Landon Cassill, TBA Chevrolet for $7,400
25. #3 Austin Dillon, Dow- Mycogen Chevrolet for $8,400
26. #47 A.J. Allendinger, Kroger/Kingsford Charcoal Chevrolet for $7,900
27. #5 Kasey Kahne, FARMERS Chevrolet for $10,100
28. #8 Chase Elliott, NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet for $8,300
29. #17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NOS Energy Drink Ford Fusion for $8,200
30. #21 Ryan Blaney, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford for $8,500
31. #2 Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Ford  for $11,200
32. #95 Michael McDowell, Thrivent Financial Ford for $7,500
33. #6 Trevor Bayne, AdvoCare Ford Fusion for $8,300
34. #46 Michael Annett, Switch Hitch Chevrolet for $6,800
35. #7 Alex Bowman, Marsh Supermarkets Chevrolet for $7,000
36. #33 Brian Scott, Shore Lodge Chevrolet for $7,600
37. #38 David Gilliland, FFA Ford for $7,200
38. #23 J.J. Yeley, Dr. Pepper Toyota for $6,900
39. #34 Brett Moffitt, CSX Play It Safe Ford for $6,800
40. #83 Matt DiBenedetto, VooDoo BBQ & Grill Toyota for $6,900
41. #35 Cole Whitt, Speed Stick Ford for $6,700
42. #98 Timmy Hill, Rettig’s Ford for $7,300
43. #31 Ryan Newman, Grainger Chevrolet for $9,300

Next: High Priced Drivers - $11,000 and up

dJul 24, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Spring Cup driver Paul Menard drives through turn one during practice for the Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

High: $11,000 and up

#20 Matt Kenseth, Dollar General Toyota for $11,300 (Qualed 23rd): Kenseth and JGR have been great recently and also dominated this race in 2014 with 3 of the Top 4 finishers. Kenseth has nine Top 10s in 15 races here and an average running position at Indy of 12.194 (6th among drivers). Despite being 23rd at qualifying (which was somewhat skewed due to changing weather conditions), the #20 was fast in many of the practice sessions. Take advantage of the low starting position for DK scoring purposes and draft Kenseth here – he is a driver with the skills and a car that could win the race.

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Beyond the Flag

 #24 Jeff Gordon, 3M Chevrolet for $11,000 (Qualed 19th): Gordon is the most accomplished Sprint Cup driver at Indy with five wins including last year, 12 top fives, and an incredible 17 top 10s in 21 races. He also has the 3rd highest average finish (7.9) and 2nd Driver Rating (105.6) among entrants. The #24 had two very good practice runs on Friday with 4th and 6th fastest laps in the first and second sessions respectively. Gordon is coming off a very good 53 FP effort at NH where he finished 9th from the 23rd spot. Look for the #24 to have a similar race here for fantasy purposes.

Stay Away: #4 Kevin Harvick, Jimmy John’s/Budweiser Chevrolet for $13,900 (Qualed 6th): As it is most weekends, Harvick  and the #4 have looked good in the practices and qualifying. But with the 6th position and so many other decent options (strong teams/drivers) starting further back in the field, Harvick is simply too costly to draft here.

Next: Medium-High Priced Drivers - $9,300 to $10,300

Jul 24, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during practice for the Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Medium-High: $9,300 to $10,300

#11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota for $10,200 (Qualed 17th): Hamlin (29.7 FPPG) has been the mostly consistent DK Fantasy producer this season, with 20 or more FP in all the 9 DK contests so far. He was 3rd here last year and 6th in 2012. He also has 54 Fastest Laps Run at Indy, which is the best among active drivers. Don’t be fooled by the 17th starting spot, it still is evident of a very fast car as the weather and track was getting hotter as that session progressed giving Hamlin a disadvantage. Lastly, with the JGR factor going for him and a #11 car that had the fastest lap in one of the practice sessions, Hamlin is a great option here.

#5 Kasey Kahne, Great Clips Chevrolet for $10,500 (Qualed 27th): Kahne has a very respectable 13.5 average finish at Indy and owns the 5th highest Driver Rating (100.1) among racers here. Kahne and all the Hendricks Chevrolets have shown flashes of speed this weekend and the 27th spot is too good to pass on here. Try to fit the #5 and/or the #11 in your lineup as value picks that could have dominant cars and big fantasy production.

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Stay Away: #42 Kyle Larson, Target Chevrolet for $10,000 (Qualed 27th): Larson (7.4 FPPG) has had a disturbing trend in the last 4 weeks where he qualifies high (ASP of 9.5) and finishes low (AFP 30.0). If you have followed DraftKings Fantasy NASCAR this year you know that is a very bad combination.  Plus, there is no evidence that this trend will change on Sunday. Buyer beware!

Next: Medium-Low Priced Drivers - $7,700 to $9,000

Jul 24, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) during practice for the Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Medium-Low: $7.700 to $9,000

#3 Austin Dillon, Dow-Mycogen Chevrolet for $8,400 (Qualed 25th): The young and talented Dillon has put up very good fantasy totals (38, 53, amd 57 FP) in 3 of the last 4 races at an affordable salary.  Dillon finished 10th here last year and had progressively better practice runs this weekend culminating in the 3rd fastest lap in the final practice. At $8,400 and from the 25th spot, Dillon is a safe bet to finish in the Top 15 and get you 40+ FP.

Honorable Mention: #16 Greg Biffle, Lilly/ADA Ford Fusion for $8,600 (Qualed 20th):  Biffle is 6th among entrants with a 13.2 average Indy finish. He also got 13th here last year and 12th at Pocono this year which is indicative of the #16 having a good set up at large, flat tracks. Biffle had been good this weekend, posting very consistent lap times throughout all the sessions. With the 20th spot and desperate for a Chase clinching victory, look for Biffle to roll the dice with pit and fuel strategy and try to steal a win here.

Stay Away: #55 David Ragan, Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota for $8,100 (Qualed 3rd): Ragan (1.6 FPPG) has performed similar to Kyle Larson lately, starting in the Top 10 in 3 of the last 4 Cup races and finishing outside the Top 10 in all of them. Expect the #55 to fall back shortly after the Green Flag drops and to run in the middle of the pack at best.

Non-DraftKings Fantasy Pick: #14 Tony Stewart, Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops for $9,000 (Qualified 4th):  NOTE: This driver has a good chance for success in the race and in standard fantasy formats but is not recommended for DK due its scoring/salary system. Justification for this pick can be found in the DraftKings 5-Hour Energy 301 Fantasy Analysis

Next: Low Priced Drivers - $7,600 and below

Jul 24, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (19) and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Cole Whitt (35) during practice for the Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Low: $7,600 and below

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Beyond the Flag

#35 Cole Whitt, Speed Stick Ford for $6,700: Whitt had a serviceable 32nd finish here in 2014. With a car that put up a respectable 28th fastest lap in the 2nd practice session, there is some value here with Whitt starting 41st and at a $6,700 price that allows you to draft 4 others that have legitimate chances to win. The #35 is by far the best low risk/high-reward candidate among the lower-tier drivers.

Get More Expert Fansided NASCAR Coverage from CHARLES RAHRIG V: Crown Royal 400 Preview and Prediction

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Need help with your daily or season-long fantasy NASCAR contests? Contact me on Twitter @Rich_Pelesky and I will give you the guidance you need to make the best fantasy decisions.

Next: Get More In-Depth Fantasy Coverage with our Jeff Kyle 400 Fantasy Analysis