As we head into Kansas 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 Kansas Speedway 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 Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
Past Winners/Track Knowledge
It’s time for the NASCARs Cup Series to take their best shot winning at Kansas Speedway. The Cup Series raced at Kansas twice last year where Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano left victorious. This year’s previous race at Kansas was won by Kyle Busch. This will be a 400.5-mile race where the drivers will be tasked with completing 267 laps around the Speedway. Kansas Speedway is a 1.5-mile Speedway, with an asphalt surface. This raceway is home to 4 turns that will push drivers to the limit. The best part about this track is you never quite know which turn will make a driver stray off course or even wreck. Be ready for some intense racing this weekend. With Kansas being a tricky track with a history there is a lot of data to sift through as we build out winning lineup. Look for the below playoff drivers to race extra hard this week: Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Chase Elliot, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex, and Joey Logano.
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Hollywood Casino 400 atKansas Speedway on 10/24/2021 (DraftKings Values)
| Driver #1 | Denny Hamlin | $ 11,000 | |
| Driver #2 | Alex Bowman | $ 9,800 | |
| Driver #3 | $ | ||
| Driver #4 | $ | ||
| Driver #5 | $ | ||
| Driver #6 | $ |
A-List Premium Price Drivers
Denny Hamlin ($11,000 DK, $13,500 FD)
Denny Hamlin was fi ally able to get back on track this year and get his first win at Darlington. He has since won once more at Las Vegas. Hamlin is tied as the winningest active driver at Kansas, with Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano, 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 second-best driver all year and Kansas has been a very good track for him in his career. Hamlin is sitting pretty in the career wins department with three at Kansas Speedway. In seven races since the start of the 2018 season at Kansas, Hamlin has won two times, finished top-five three times, and led 275 laps. All are either series highs or seconds. 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.
Alex Bowman ($9,800 DK, $9,000 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. Bowman starts this race 25th and I think he can finish in the top 10.
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Joey Logano ($9,800 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 has the added incentive that he is currently in last place in the playoff standings. When building my lineup Logano was a last-minute addition after the value I found that I will discuss later. Logano has had another usual season for him, so far, he has one win, 10 top five finishes, 17 top 10 finishes, and had led 422 laps. Along with another spot in the top eight in the playoffs. 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 Kansas three times in his career, where he also adds eight top five finishes, nine top 10 finishes and has led 478 laps in his career. I think Logano is going to be finishing this race with another top 10 finish or better.
Kevin Harvick ($8,900 DK, $9,500 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 nine top five finishes, and 22 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 Kansas recently and frankly in his career. Harvick has won at Kansas three times 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.
B-List Value Drivers
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ($7,000 DK)
Now Kansas hasn’t been Stenhouse’s best track, he is more known for his talent on Superspeedways, but one cool thing about Stenhouse this week is that he has only finished outside of the top 20 six times in his career at Kansas. Stenhouse starts in an excellent spot this weekend from a DFS perspective as he starts 28th. Stenhouse will be able to compete for excellent point differential points and even potentially for another top-15 finish. Stenhouse has also led 72 laps at this track which could lead to a couple more fantasy points for your team.
C-List Sleeper Pick Drivers
Matt DiBenedetto ($6,800 DK, $8,000 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 33 races this year, while also adding three top five finishes and nine top 10 finishes. After a up and down start to the season he has placed top 15 in 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 already has one top five finish that Kansas in his career.
Chris Buescher ($6,300 DK)
Driving the Number 17 for Roush Fenway Racing, Chris Buescher has had a relatively normal year by his standards. In 33 races, he has one top five finish and seven 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 93. Buescher had his best race of the year at the Charlotte Roval Road Course. Overall, pretty good and consistent. I think Buescher can add another top 10 finish this week while also providing point differential potential with his 21st 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 161 crash, I encourage you to let me hear it.
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