By: Matthew Sallows
As we head into Darlington racing week, there is a lot of data to pick through as we build a winning lineup. This week we are going to focus on finding value by looking at previous top contenders at the racetrack. There are quite a few value drivers that you can insert into your lineup. Let’s now take a deep dive into who I think you can insert into your lineup for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway.
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on 05/09/2021 (DraftKings Values)
| Driver #1 | Kevin Harvick | $ 9,600 | |
| Driver #2 | Christopher Bell | $ 8,600 | |
| Driver #3 | $ | ||
| Driver #4 | Erik Jones | $ 8,200 | |
| Driver #5 | $ | ||
| Driver #6 | $ 7,500 |
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on 05/09/2021 (Fanduel Values)
| Driver #1 | $ | ||
| Driver #2 | $ | ||
| Driver #3 | $ | ||
| Driver #4 | Christopher Bell | $ 9,000 | |
| Driver #5 | Erik Jones | $ 7,300 |
Kevin Harvick
There is a reason Kevin Harvick commands the high price point for the Goodyear 400. In the last three years, the Cup Series has traveled to Darlington five times. Harvick is one of two drivers who has finished top 10 in all five races. He is joined by Erik Jones with top 10 in the last five races. Harvick has two wins, five top five finishes and has led 201 laps over that time span. Harvick is first in most categories from a full career standpoint at this racetrack where he has three wins (tied for first), 11 top five finishes (first), 15 top 10 finishes (first), and has led 782 laps (first). Not a bad career stat line at Darlington if you ask me. Harvick will start the race in the second position. There will likely be plenty of opportunities for Harvick to get to the front of the pack early in this one. We all know what happens more times than not when Harvick is in the front of the field. They do not call him “the closer” for no reason. I think Harvick is another no-brainer pick this week.
Christopher Bell
Driving the number 20 for Joe Gibbs Racing, Christopher Bell is one of 10 drivers who have already punched their playoff tickets with already securing a win this year. Bell got his career win earlier this year on the Daytona Road Course. Bell has not been great at Darlington yet in his career but he is having a really good year in 2021. So far, he has one win, two top five finishes, and five top 10 finishes. raced twice at Phoenix in the Cup Series where he has not finished very well. However, in the Xfinity Series at Darlington, Bell has a fourth-place finish. I do not see a reason why Bell, starting from the 21st spot cannot work his way into the top 10.
Erik Jones
I mentioned how good Harvick has been at Darlington the last three years, well there is someone who has been just as good and that is Erik Jones. The worst finish Jones has had at Darlington since the start of the 2018 season is eighth. Jones has one win, three top five finishes, five top 10 finishes and has led 106 laps. For a driver only costing you $8,200 on DraftKings this weekend how can you not pick him. If that is not enough appeal for you this week, consider that Jones will start this race 26th. Jones has been dynamic at this raceway and I think he adds another top 10 finish. Jones could be the pick of the week.
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Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on 05/09/2021 (DraftKings Values)
| Driver #1 | Kevin Harvick | $ 9,600 | |
| Driver #2 | Christopher Bell | $ 8,600 | |
| Driver #3 | Kurt Busch | $ 8,400 | |
| Driver #4 | Erik Jones | $ 8,200 | |
| Driver #5 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | $ 7,600 | |
| Driver #6 | Austin Dillon | $ 7,500 |
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on 05/09/2021 (Fanduel Values)
| Driver #1 | Kyle Larson | $ 13,000 | |
| Driver #2 | Alex Bowman | $ 11,000 | |
| Driver #3 | Ryan Blaney | $ 9,500 | |
| Driver #4 | Christopher Bell | $ 9,000 | |
| Driver #5 | Erik Jones | $ 7,300 |
Kyle Larson
I have talked about a few drivers today who have been really good at Darlington as of late. Well, Kyle Larson also deserves to be in the conversation. In the last three years Larson has raced at Darlington twice, which is less than most drivers, but his average finish is 2.50. Larson has finished second and third is his last two races. You know he is going to be hungry for his second win of the year this weekend. From a career standpoint, he has raced here six times where he has three top five finishes, five top 10 finishes, and has led 500 laps. Pretty good for only racing at the track six times. Larson also starts this weekend in the 14th position which puts him in line for some point differential points.
Alex Bowman
At the start of the year I was a little unsure if Alex Bowman had what it took to step into Jimmie Johnsons shoes and drive the number 48 car for Hendricks motorsports. Bowman did however have a very successful 2020 that saw him finish sixth in points and a top-eight overall finish. Bowman won one race in 2020 as well as adding six top-five finishes and 15 top 20 finishes. Bowman has three Cup wins with Hendrick over the past three seasons. Bowman has one win this year after winning a couple weeks ago at Richmond. Over the past three years at Darlington Bowman has one top five finish, two top 10 finishes and has led 42 laps. From a DFS perspective picking Bowman gives you lots of point differential potential because he stats in 19th. Bowman has as good a chance as any top add another top 10 finish or better to his resume.
Ryan Blaney
Coming in as one of the most expensive drivers this week on both platforms is Ryan Blaney. 2021 has been another great year for Blaney so far. Blaney got his first win of the season at Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. Blaney has also added another two top-five finishes and five top 10 finishes while leading 229 laps. I like Blaney this week because he starts in the 16th spot, where I think he can jump to a top 10 spot early and start to compete for the win. I think come race end, Blaney could be in top five contention so he is a point differential pick for me this week.
Kurt Busch
As the Cup Series’ seasoned veteran Kurt Busch continues to be a dark horse every week. Busch will start this race in 17th place and has plenty of potential to contend at the end of the race. Take this pick as my dark horse pick for the week. In his career, Busch has four top-five finishes, 11 top 10 finishes, and has led 365 laps at Darlington Raceway. No reason Busch cannot get into the top five. Busch offers a lot of value this week.
Austin Dillon
Richard Childress Racing Austin Dillon has had a pretty good start to the year. Dillon finished the 2020 version of this race in 11th place. In five races at Darlington in the last three years, Dillon has one top five finish, two top 10 finishes and five top 20 finishes. The nice thing here is that Dillon has shown that he can place in the top 10 here. Which is good for his price and value this week. So far in 2021 Dillon’s highlights have been winning the Bluegreen Vacations Duel Two and finishing third in the Daytona 500. He will start ninth this week and if he and his team can keep up their solid efforts there is no reason why Dillon cannot add another top 10 finish, or better.
Now go win your matchup and let us know how you did. Or if I picked every driver that will be in that lap 119 crash, I encourage you to let me hear it. Either way come find us on Twitter (@FantasyDFSX).
