NASCAR DFS Picks for the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix on May 23, 2021

As we head into our second road race of the year at the Circuit of Americas, we will have to look at drivers’ stats and history from other road courses as we build our lineup this week. Another great part about this weekend is we are back to practice and qualifying. This week we are going to focus on finding value by looking at previous top contenders at road courses. 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 EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of Americas.

Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of Americas on 05/23/2021 (DraftKings Values)

Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of Americas on 05/23/2021 (Fanduel Values)

Chase Elliot ($10,500 DK, $14,500 FD)

There is not much to say here. Chase Elliot has dominated road races the last three years. In nine Cup Series races, Elliot has won five of them, placed top five in six, top 10 in seven races, and has led 275 laps. His laps led total is more than the next two drivers; Martin Truex Jr. (142) and William Byron (71) have combined. Elliot could very well land on the pole this week, and this feels like a race where he could lead almost every lap. Elliot is turning into a great driver, but he is already the best road race driver. For me, I will put Elliot in my lineup no matter the cost. He is expensive but it will be worth your investment. Also, good to keep in mind that Elliot was under a mile away from winning the Busch Clash at the start of the year. And that he has won four of the last five road races. 

Christopher Bell ($8,300 DK, $9,500 FD)

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. Ironically for this upcoming race, Bell got his career win earlier this year on the Daytona Road Course. Bell like most drivers has not raced at Circuit of Americas yet in his career, but he is having a good year in 2021. So far, he has one win, two top five finishes, and five top 10 finishes. In the Xfinity Series on road courses over the last three years Bell has six races that amount to one win, three top five finishes, four top 10 finishes and 37 laps led. I do not see a reason why Bell, who has a great history of success at road courses cannot put in another top five finish this weekend. He like Chase Elliot before will be a favorite to win. 

Matt DiBenedetto ($7,900 DK)

As for star power, you are not getting that with Matt DiBenedetto. However, you are getting a driver who has finished on average 10 places better than he started in seven of 14 races this year, while also adding two top five finishes and three top 10 finishes. After starting the year with three 25 plus place finishes DiBenedetto has turned the corner and finished in the top 20 in nine of the last 10 races. DiBenedetto will likely start this race near the middle of the pack now that we have qualifying back. I could see him being on the cusp of getting into the top 10 this week which could mean that he will be in for some point differential points. In 15 career road races DiBenedetto has one top five finish two top 10 finishes and has finished top 20 in six of them. 

Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of Americas on 05/23/2021 (DraftKings Values)

Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of Americas on 05/23/2021 (Fanduel Values)

Ryan Blaney ($9,100 DK, $12,000 FD)

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 six top 10 finishes while leading 229 laps. I think everyone can remember how the Busch Clash ended earlier this year as Chase Elliot and Ryan Blaney raced each other as hard as possible and ended up costing themselves the win as they made contact and Kyle Busch raced past them on the last corner. Over the last three years Blaney has one win, four top five finishes, five top 10 finishes and has led 30 laps in nine Road Course races. Blaney has just a good pf a chance to win this one as any of the favorites. 

Cole Custer ($7,800 DK)

In his rookie season in 2020 Cole Custer was able to get his first career win, which for rookies is not the easiest thing to do. Custer raced on-road tracks twice last year. He did manage a ninth-place finish and finished 13^th earlier this year at the Daytona Road Course which is promising for him this week. In the Xfinity Series in 2019 Custer finished fourth and 13th in road races. I don’t see why Custer cannot compete for a top 20 finish in this Sunday’s race. He has all the tools to do it. 

Chase Briscoe ($6,400 DK, $7,000 FD)

All year I have been very excited to see what rookie Chase Briscoe can do in this Number 14 Stuart Haas Racing Ford this season. He has not had the success I thought he might have had out of the gun, but he will come around. Briscoe finished his Xfinity career in 2020 with nine wins, four more then the five-race goal that he set for himself. He was especially great at road courses the last three seasons where he had two wins, three top five finishes, six top 10 finishes and led a series most 135 laps. Yeah, he was good. Briscoe has shown so far that he may need a couple of races to adjust to the new challenges that driving in the Cup Series presents, however, his 2020 success could indicate otherwise. Chase should still be a lock for contention for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award and could very well be in the mix for a playoff spot in 2021. Look for him to have a good race this weekend. All you need to do is win one race, right. 

Tyler Reddick ($6,500 FD)

I also picked Tyler Reddick to be in my lineup in the Xfinity Series race this weekend because I have been enjoying everything I have seen from Tyler Reddick since he burst onto the scene in 2018 and 2019 winning eight races in the Xfinity Series while also being back to back champion those two years. Reddick moved up to the Cup Series in 2020 and had a great rookie season with three top-five finishes and nine top 10 finishes. For me, anytime I see Reddick back in the Xfinity Series I am going to insert him into my lineup. With that as well, I don’t mind the price point for him either. Reddick has raced well in the Xfinity Series on road courses in the last three years. He has three top five finishes, four top 10 finishes, and top 20 in five of six races. I think Reddick provides a lot of value for his middle of the pack price point.

Now go win your matchup and let us know how you did. Or if I picked every driver that will be in that lap 48 crash, I encourage you to let me hear it. Either way come find us on Twitter (@FantasyDFSX).