NASCAR DFS Picks for the Cook Out Southern 500 on September 5, 2021

As we head into Darlington 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 Darlington 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 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Past Winners/Track Knowledge

It’s time for the NASCAR Cup Series to take their best shot winning at Darlington Raceway. The Series raced at Darlington earlier this year where Martin Truex Jr. left victorious. This will be a 501.322-mile race where the drivers will be tasked with completing 367 laps around the Raceway. Darlington Raceway is a 1.336-mile Raceway, with an asphalt surface. This raceway is home to 4 turns that will push drivers to the limit. The best part about Darlington is that each turn has its own set of challenges that the drivers must overcome. With Darlington 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 Cook Our Southern 500 atDarlington Raceway on 09/05/2021 (DraftKings Values)

A-List Premium Price Drivers

Kyle Larson ($11,500 DK, $14,000 FD)

As the regular season champion and best driver this year, Larson comes into this raced poised to win, or if he doesn’t win have a strong showing. In the last three years Larson has raced at Darlington three times, which is less than most drivers, but his average finish is 2.33. Larson has finished second twice and third is his last three races, which is incredible and part of the reason he is extremely expensive this weekend. You know he is going to be hungry for his first playoff win this year after winning five in the regular season. From a career standpoint, he has raced here seven times where he has four top five finishes, six top 10 finishes, and has led 500 laps. Pretty good for only racing at the track seven times. Larson is poised to win this race and get your DFS team a lot of points. 

Kyle Busch ($11,200 DK, $13,000 FD)

Kyle Busch has been on the elite level of drivers at Darlington Raceway in his career. Yes, you could argue that the likes of Kevin Harvick or Denny Hamlin have been good also, but Busch is up there. Busch has won at Darlington once, where he also has six top five finishes, 13 top 10 finishes and has led 725 laps. I do not see why Kyle Busch cannot find his way into victory lane for the third time this year (yes, the first was exhibition) at the Busch Clash, Kansas, and Pocono. Busch, has been hot down the stretch and finished the regular season with two wins, 11 top five finishes, and 16 top 10 finishes. I think Busch has all it takes to turn his 12^th place start into another first-place finish.

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B-List Value Drivers

Chris Buescher ($7,800 DK, $7,500 FD)

Driving the Number 17 for Roush Fenway Racing, Chris Buescher has had a relatively normal year by his standards. In 26 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 34th starting position.

Tyler Reddick ($9,000 FD)

Tyler 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. I have been enjoying everything I have seen from 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. For me, anytime I see Reddick at a good price point I am going to insert him into my lineup, he has shown this year that he can turn bad starting positions in top 10 finishes. Reddick is also currently on the outside looking in with current playoff drivers, so look for him to be hungry out there for playoff points. 

C-List Sleeper Pick Drivers

Chase Briscoe ($6,300 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. 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. Briscoe was only able to get three top 10 finishes in the regular season but did finish 11^that Darlington earlier this year. 

Erik Jones ($6,100 DK)

I mentioned how good Larson 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 18^th, but still has an average finish in his career of 7.00 at Darlington. Jones has one win, three top five finishes, five top 10 finishes and has led 106 laps. For a driver only costing you $6,100 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 22nd. Jones has been dynamic at this raceway and I think he adds another top 10 finish. Jones could be the pick of the week.

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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