As we head into Richmond Race Week, we will have to look at drivers’ stats and history from this course and other similar courses as we build our lineup this week. This week we are going to focus on finding value by looking at previous top contenders at Richmond Raceway the past couple of years. 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 Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway.
Past Winners/Track Knowledge
It’s time for the NASCARs Cup Series to take their best shot winning at Richmond Raceway for the second time this year after Alex Bowman left victorious earlier this year. This will be a 300-mile race where the drivers will be tasked with completing 400 laps around the Raceway. Richmond Raceway is a 0.75-mile Raceway, with an asphalt surface. This raceway is home to 4 turns that will push drivers to the limit. The best part about Richmond is that each turn has its own set of challenges that the drivers must overcome. As stage points are becoming more coveted as the year goes on and racers, must win stages to get those oh so valuable stage points, racers will have three stages to try and get points. Stage one is 80 laps, stage two is 155 laps, and stage three is 165 laps. With Richmond being a tricky track with a history there is a lot of data to sift through as we build out winning lineup.
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on 09/11/2021 (DraftKings Values)
| Driver #1 | Martin Truex Jr | $ 10,200 | |
| Driver #2 | William Byron | $ 9,900 | |
| Driver #3 | $ | ||
| Driver #4 | $ | ||
| Driver #5 | $ | ||
| Driver #6 | $ |
A-List Premium Price Drivers
Martin Truex Jr. ($10,200 DK, $14,000 FD)
Truex has been one of the few dominant drivers this year, along with Denny Hamlin, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson, who I also like in this race, but didn’t pick due to value, except Bowman of course. So far in 2021 Truex has three wins, nine top five finishes, 14 top 10 finishes, and had led 695 laps. It is safe to say that Truex could be as sure of a bet for this week as they come. If he can get to number one and can lead any number of laps, you are in for an elite DFS performance from Truex. Truex has also been spectacular at Richmond the last three years where in six races he has an average finish of 4.33. That record includes two wins, five top five finishes, and 686 laps led. Just put him in your lineup and move on.
William Byron ($9,900 DK, $9,800 FD)
I think the value for William Byron is justified in your lineup this weekend especially with how he has raced so far, this year. In 2021 so far, Byron has one win at Homestead-Miami, nine top five finishes, 16 top 10 finishes, and a has led 276 laps. After winning at Miami, Byron followed up with finishing top 10 in 11 straight races and top 10 in 12 of 16 races. Byron finished seventh at Richmond earlier this year. Byron is becoming one of the elite drivers in the cup series. I think Byron can be right in the mix of things by race end and at his price point I think he has a lot of value.
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Alex Bowman ($8,900 DK, $9,700 FD)
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’s motorsports, in 2021 he hasn’t disappointed. Bowman had 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 five Cup wins with Hendrick over the past three seasons. Bowman has three wins this year after winning a couple weeks ago at Richmond, Dover, and Pocono. I am a little shocked that Bowman comes this cheap. You would think that three races won this year would make his price point sky high. This is an easy pick for a guy who has already won this year at Richmond.
B-List Value Drivers
Austin Dillon ($8,500 FD)
Richard Childress Racing Austin Dillon has had a pretty good year so far. Dillon finished the earlier version of this race at Richmond in ninth. In six races at Richmond in the last three years, Dillon has one top five finish, four top 10 finishes, five top 20 finishes, and has led 56 laps. 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 19th 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.
Matt DiBenedetto ($8,100 DK, $7,800 FD)
As for star power, you are not getting that with Matt DiBenedetto. However, you are getting a driver who has finished on average better than he started in 27 races this year, while also adding three top five finishes and seven top 10 finishes. After a up and down start to the season he has placed top 15 in the last five races before Daytona and Darlington where he has slumped. 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. DiBenedetto is in the sleeper value category this week. Keep in mind that he also got ones of his top 10 finishes earlier this year at Richmond.
C-List Sleeper Pick Drivers
Chase Briscoe ($6,500 DK)
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. 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. Briscoe was only able to get three top 10 finishes in the regular season.
Bubba Wallace ($6,300 DK)
There was a lot of hype about the new 23XI team owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan and driven by Bubba Wallace this year. Earlier this year, Wallace was right in the mix on the last lap of the Daytona 500 before wrecking on the last lap. Wallace has not had the best season so far, but there have been some bright spots, like at Dover where he started 22nd and finished 11th, or how he has six top 20 finishes, or his two top five finishes. Not awful for a new racing team, trying to figure stuff out in their first year. Wallace starts near the rear and could be in for a solid day.
Now go win your matchup and let us know how you did.
Or if I picked every driver that will be in that lap 346 crash, I encourage you to let me hear it.
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