NASCAR DFS Picks for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on August 27, 2021

As we head into Daytona 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 superspeedways 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 second Daytona race of the year, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Past Winners/Track Knowledge

It’s time for the NASCARs Cup Series to take their best shot winning at Daytona International Speedway for the second time this year. The Cup Series raced at Daytona earlier this year where Michael McDowell won his first race of his career.  This will be a 400-mile race where the drivers will be tasked with completing 160 laps around the Speedway. Daytona International Speedway is a 2.5-mile Speedway, with an asphalt surface. This racecourse is home to 4 turns that will push drivers to the limit. The best part about Daytona 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 50 laps, stage two is 50 laps, and stage three is 60 laps. With Daytona 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 Coke Zero Sugar 400 atDaytona International Speedway on 08/28/2021 (DraftKings Values)

A-List Premium Price Drivers

Joey Logano ($10,600 DK, $14,000 FD)

Here is one of those drivers that you never really feel bad about having in your lineup each week. Joey Logano is going to race well, and he is going to race hard every time he hits the track. And of course, because of that he is often a very expensive driver to insert into your lineup. Logano is the most expensive driver on both platforms this week but with him starting 22^nd this week, I understand why. When building my lineup Logano was a last-minute addition after the value I found that I will discuss later. Logano is off to another usual season for him, so far, he has one win, eight top five finishes, 13 top 10 finishes, and had led 372 laps. All totals are well within what we expect from him. In his career Logano is averaging just under two wins a year, so you know he is going to be out racing for his second of the year this weekend. With his 27 career wins Logano has won at Daytona once in the past, where he also adds six top five finishes, nine top 10 finishes and has led 182 laps in his career. Starting 22nd this week, makes me think that Logano is going to be finishing this race with another top 10 finish or better. 

Alex Bowman ($9,600 DK, $10,000 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 had a very fast car this tear on Superspeedways. 

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Denny Hamlin ($9,400 DK, 13,500 FD)

Denny Hamlin is back to try and get back on track this year and get his first win of the year. Hamlin is the winningest active driver at Daytona, and he will look to add another this weekend. Hamlin comes into this race as my favorite to win. Hamlin has flat out been the best driver all year and Daytona has been a very good track for him in his career. Hamlin is sitting pretty in the career wins department with three at Daytona International Speedway. You can normally count on Hamlin to secure his playoff spot early, now he hasn’t yet as he remains winless, but no one has been better. In seven races since the start of the 2018 season at Daytona, Hamlin has won two times, finished top-five five times, and led 243 laps. All are series highs. On DraftKings I would even label Hamlin as a value pick this week as no one has been better at the track recently or even in their career. Just put Hamlin in your lineup and move on. This is excellent value. 

B-List Value Drivers

Kevin Harvick ($7,800 FD)

2021 has been far from the year that Kevin Harvick had in 2020 where he had nine wins, 20 top five finishes, 27 top 10 finishes, while leading 1531 laps. Harvick was the regular season winner last year and was by far the best and most dominant driver all year. 2021 has been less than average for Harvick as he has yet to find victory lane. He does however have six top five finishes, and 16 top 10 finishes. It is safe to say that Harvick is due for a win. This might even be the week. Harvick provides value while also providing as good a shot as any to win this race. Harvick has been average to good at Daytona recently and frankly in his career. Harvick surprisingly has not won at Daytona in his career. I want to see Harvick get to the front of this race and just see what happens. 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.

C-List Sleeper Pick Drivers

Ryan Newman ($7,000 DK)

Here is last year’s big story from the Daytona 500. In the Daytona 500 last year Ryan Newman was right in the mix on the final two laps and had the lead before contact with Ryan Blaney put an end to Newman’s day. In his career, Newman has been among the best to drive at Daytona where he has one win, six top-five finishes, 12 top 10 finishes, and has led 119 laps. I like Newman this week and at his $ 7,000 price as he provides significant value. A pick like Newman this week gives you the flexibility to get some bigger names into your lineup. Plus, as a bonus you can feel comfortable with a driver starting 23rd. Where you can only, for the most part go up.

Chris Buescher ($5,200 DK, $4,500 FD)

Driving the Number 17 for Roush Fenway Racing, Chris Buescher has had a relatively normal year by his standards. In 25 races, he has four top 10 finishes, which other than in 2020 would be tied for a season high. 2020 was by far Buescher’s best year as he had two top five finishes, eight top 10 finishes and led 33 laps. His 2021 lap led total is a career high with 77. Buescher had his best race of the year at the All-Star race at Texas Motor Speedway. Overall, pretty good and consistent. I think Buescher can add another top 10 finish this week while also providing point differential potential with his 13th starting position.

Now go win your matchup and let us know how you did.

Or if I picked every driver that will be in that lap 154 crash, I encourage you to let me hear it.

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