As we head into Road America Race Week, we will have to look at drivers’ stats and history from other 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 this speedway. 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 Jockey Made in America 250 at Road America.
Past Winners/Track Knowledge
It’s time for the NASCAR Series to take their best shot winning at Road America. This will be a 250.48-mile race where the drivers will be tasked with completing 62 laps around the Raceway. Road America is a 4.048-mile Road Course, with an asphalt surface. This racecourse is home to 14 unique turns that will push drivers to the limit. The best part about Road America 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 14 laps, stage two is 15 laps, and stage three is 33 laps.
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Jockey Made in America 250 at Road America on 07/04/2021 (DraftKings Values)
| Driver #1 | Chase Elliot | $ 10,600 | |
| Driver #2 | Kevin Harvick | $ 8,600 | |
| Driver #3 | $ | ||
| Driver #4 | $ | ||
| Driver #5 | $ | ||
| Driver #6 | $ 6,600 |
Below is a lineup that we believe can provide the best value for the Jockey Made in America 250 at Road America on 07/04/2021 (Fanduel Values)
| Driver #1 | Chase Elliot | $ 14,500 | |
| Driver #2 | Kevin Harvick | $ 11,000 | |
| Driver #3 | $ | ||
| Driver #4 | $ | ||
| Driver #5 | $ |
A-List Dollar Premium Drivers
Chase Elliot ($10,600 DK, $14,500 FD)
There is not much to say here. Chase Elliot has dominated road races the last three years. In 11 Cup Series races, Elliot has won six of them, placed top five in eight, top 10 in nine races, and has led 293 laps. His laps led total is more than the next two drivers; Martin Truex Jr. (145) and Kyle Larson (121) 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 won the road race at Circuit of Americas this year. And that he has won four of the last five road races.
Kevin Harvick ($8,600 DK, 11,000 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 14 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 one of the better drovers on road courses the last three years where he has two top five finishes, five top 10 finishes, and had led 69 laps. Nowhere near Chase Elliot, but still very respectable. I want to see Harvick get to the front of a road race this year 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.
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B-List Dollar Value Drivers
Alex Bowman ($8,100 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 motorsports. Bowman did however have 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 and at Dover and the first of two races last weekend at Pocono. I am a little shocked actually that Bowman comes this cheap. You would think that three races wins this year would make his price point sky high. But who are we to complain, Bowman could be the best value pick of the week. Easy pick for a guy who averages a top 10 finish on road courses over the last three years.
Christopher Bell ($8,000 DK, $9,000 FD)
Driving the number 20 for Joe Gibbs Racing, Christopher Bell is one of 11 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 has not raced at Road America in his career, but he is having a good year in 2021. So far, he has one win, two top five finishes, and six 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.
Tyler Reddick ($7,800 DK)
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. Reddick has raced at road courses five times in the Cup Series, where he has one top 10 finish. Reddick has raced well on road courses in the last three years in Xfinity races however, where 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.
C-List Sleeper Drivers
Erik Jones ($6,600 DK, $4,900 FD)
In his fifth full time season in the NASCAR Cup Series, Erik Jones is off to an ok start. So far in 2021 he has two top 10 finishes at Las Vegas and the Bristol Dirt Track. This like many drivers will be jones’ first race at Road America. However, for Jones he has been pretty good on road course the last three years where he has, in 11 races three top five finishes, five top 10 finishes, and nine top 20 finishes. Jones has been right up there in nine of 11 races. That’s pretty good in my books and especially for dirt cheap this week. I expect Jones to start near the rear of the race. If he does look for him to be in the upper tier of fantasy points gained this week. Do not sleep on Jones at Road America.
Now go win your matchup and let us know how you did. Or if I picked every driver that will be in that lap 21 crash, I encourage you to let me hear it. Either way come find us on Twitter (@FantasyDFSX).
