Fantasy NASCAR Picks for the 2015 Federated Auto Parts 400

Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; A general view of a flag during practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy NASCAR Picks for the 2015 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway

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MUST SEE: Fantasy NASCAR Scoring Changes on DraftKings effective 8/2!

If you haven’t already, check out our 2015 Federated Auto Parts 400 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

Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano (22) poses for a photo in front of his car after winning the pole for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Race Entrants in Qualifying Order w/ DraftKings Salaries

NOTE: Due to DraftKings recently changing the number to entrants from 5 to 6 but keeping the salary cap at $50,000, the salaries will be relatively lower than in some previous contests.

1. #22 Joey Logano, Shell Pennzoil Ford for $10,400
2. #20 Matt Kenseth, Dollar General Toyota for $10,100
3. #2 Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Ford for $11,200
4. #18 Kyle Busch, M&M’s Crispy Chocolate Toyota for $10,800
5. #55 David Ragan, Ol’ Aaron’s Dream Machine Toyota for $6,400
6. #4 Kevin Harvick, Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet for $11,400
7. #19 Carl Edwards, Arris Toyota for $9,800
8. #41 Kurt Busch, Haas Automation Chevrolet for $9,800
9. #48 Jimmie Johnson, Lowe’s Chevrolet for $8,900
10. #14 Tony Stewart, Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet for $7,200
11. #42 Kyle Larson, Target Chevrolet for $8,000
12. #3 Austin Dillon, Dow Chevrolet for $6,600
13. #31 Ryan Newman, Caterpillar Chevrolet for $7,700
14. #10 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy Chevrolet for $5,800
15. #13 Casey Mears GEICO Chevrolet SS for $5,900
16. #78 Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Chevrolet for $8,800
17. #33 Brian Scott, Shore Lodge Chevrolet for $5,200
18. #51 Justin Allgaier, Brandt Chevrolet for $5,600
19. #17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Cargill Ford Fusion for $5,800
20. #5 Kasey Kahne, HendrickRideAlong.com Chevrolet for $7,800
21. #47 A.J. Allendinger, Kroger/Bush’s Beans Chevrolet for $6,000
22. #27 Paul Menard, Libman/Menards Chevrolet for $6,700
23. #24 Jeff Gordon, 3M Chevrolet for $8,500
24. #43 Aric Almirola, Smithfield Foods/Waffle House Ford for $6,100
25. #11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota for $9,500
26. #15 Clint Bowyer, 5 Hour Energy Toyota for $7,500
27. #46 Michael Annett, Switch Hitch Chevrolet for $5,500
28. #6 Trevor Bayne, AdvoCare Ford Fusion for $5,700
29. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr., Nationwide Chevrolet for $8,800
30. #38 David Gilliland, The Pete Store Ford for $5,600
31. #1 Jamie McMurray, Cessna Chevrolet for $8,200
32. #9 Sam Hornish Jr., Go Bowling/DraftKings Ford for $5,900
33. #83 Matt DiBenedetto, James Madison University Toyota for $5,300
34. #35 Cole Whitt, MDS Ford 0$05,300
35. #40 Landon Cassill, Precon Marine Chevrolet for $5,500
36. #7 Alex Bowman, Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet for $5,400
37. #34 Brett Moffitt, Dockside Ford for $5,200
38. #16 Greg Biffle, Cheez-It Ford Fusion for $6,800
39. #95 Michael McDowell, Thrivent Financial Motorsports Ford for $5,200
40. #98 Reed Sorenson, Premium Motorsports Ford for $5,200
41. #23 Jeb Burton, Estes Toyota for $5,400
42. #32 Jeffrey Earnhardt, CORVETTEPARTS.NET Ford for $5,100
43. #26 J.J. Yeley, Dr. Pepper Toyota for $5,400

Next: High Priced Drivers - $9,600 and up

Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; The helmet of Sprint Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (L) rest onto of his car prior to practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

High: $9,600 and up

Beyond the Flag

#4 Kevin Harvick, Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet for $11,400 (Qualed 6th): Kevin is a 3 time winner here and finished 2nd in the Spring race. The #4 has been fast all week, with a 4th and 1st in the practice sessions along with a very good 6th in qualifying. Chevrolet has been great at this track and Harvick is, week in and week out, as consistently fast as anyone. Although he is at the top price, the 6th starting position makes that acceptable.

#2 Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Ford for $11,200 (Qualed 3rd): This is a very similar pick than Harvick, as the #2 has also been good: 1) all season (4th in the standings), 2) at this track (won the 2014 version of this race), and 3) fast this weekend (in Top 10 in all of the sessions). You are likely unable to afford both these drivers but in multiple lineups you can use them as a 1A/1B entry.

Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) during practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Medium-High: $8,300 to $9,300

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#88 Dale Earnhardt Jr., Nationwide Chevrolet for $8,800 (Qualed 29th): Junior has finished in the top 15 in this last 8 Richmond Cup races. His practice speeds (10th and 15th best) show the #88 has a competitive car. Frankly, the 29th starting spot is too good to pass up on any power team, especially a Chevy at this race track.

#11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota for $9,500: This is one of Hamlin’s better tracks, owning two wins and never finishing worse than 24th in 18 career races. The 25th spot is advantageous fantasy-wise and with JGR running Checkered-Flag worthy race cars every week, its hard to pass him up.

Next: Medium-Low Priced Drivers - $6,800 to $8,200

Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray (1) during practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Medium-Low: $6,800 to $8,200

#1 Jamie McMurray, Cessna Chevrolet for $8,200 (Qualed 31st): McMurray has 3 Top 5 finishes in his last 4 races here, including a 4th in the Spring race. The 31st spot at this extremely affordable $8,200 price tag is alluring for McMurray, who is going to make the Chase and usually has a Top 15 car.

#16 Greg Biffle, Cheez-It Ford Fusion for $6,800 (Qualed 38th): Biffle has not been fast all weekend but the Rousch Driver is too good to not to pick from such a low starting position. In Biffle’s last 5 Cup starts where he started 24th or worse, he has averaged 42.4 DraftKings Fantasy Points.  He has been racing better lately and is trying to avoid RFR from missing the Chase for the very first time.

Next: Low Priced Drivers - $6,700 and below

Sep 11, 2015; Richmond, VA, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Aric Almirola (43) looks on during practice for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Low: $6,700 and below

Bear Goggles On

#43 Aric Almirola, Smithfield Foods/Waffle House Ford for $6,100 (Qualed 24th): Almirola is currently 17th in the Chase Standings and needs a win or a minimum of a 12th place finish to have any chance of the playoffs.  Expect him and his team to run aggressively and gamble early and often to move up in the field. His 18.1 avg. finish at RIS is a respectable 17th among drivers with 4 or more Cup starts.

#40 Landon Cassill, Precon Marine Chevrolet for $5,500 (Qualed 35th): Cassill is coming off an extremely impressive 20th place finish at Darlington while finishing with 35 FP at a $5,300 DK salary. His price tag is up slightly to $5,500 but he starts 35th and he has been fairly good at this track in his career. He has finished in the Top 26 in 6 of his last 8 races at Richmond, respresenting a good potential return at a low price.

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Please participate in my poll question and make your comments below!

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: Federated Auto Parts 400 Fantasy NASCAR Analysis and Early Picks