What’s up everyone?! Ryan Larkin aka The Warlock aka @Larkin8 on Twitter here and welcome to the Xfinity Series Setup. This week we will be looking ahead to the Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway. If you are just finding the DFS Army and are not a VIP member sign up and use code Xfinity to save 20%!! Our DFS Army VIP members get access to the Domination Station and Research Station post qualifying. Also, VIP members get access to our VIP Slack with direct contact to the NASCAR coaches. Come join the best team in NASCAR DFS!
This week the Xfinity Series is at Pocono Raceway. Pocono is known as the tricky triangle for its unique track shape. It also claims to only have 3 turns although realistically you could argue it has 5 or 6 turns. Either way the 2.5 mile track is one of a kind for the series and will offer a difficult challenge to the Xfinity Series drivers this week. Due to its uniqueness rookies often struggle to get up to speed here with the more veteran drivers having a leg up on the competition. The Xfinity Series has only raced at Pocono for three years now with Cup drivers dominating the action. We see very few cautions here so long run speed is important. Be sure to check out the Research Station to get an idea how the drivers stack up after Friday’s practice sessions.
Quick Facts
Date: June 1st
Practice 1: Friday 1:05 pm ET.
Practice 2: Friday 3:05 pm ET.
Qualifying: Saturday 10:05 am ET.
Race: Saturday 1:00 pm ET.
Laps: 100 Stages: 25/50/100
Drivers: 38
Defending Champion: Kyle Busch
AVG. # of Cautions: 3 excluding stage breaks
AVG DNF’s: 7 per race
Lineup Building
Dominator / Top Tier
With the ultra low number of laps it will be hard to get anything more than 1 true dominator. Otherwise, look to pair together a collection of studs (2-3) but no true dominator. We saw Kyle Busch dominate the race last year and in 2017 we saw a 5 way split in laps led. 2016 was rain shortened with only 53 laps being ran. Given track history it is hard to gauge what direction this race will go. Position differential will certainly be of greater importance this week meaning anyone who qualifies poorly but offers high finishing upside should be heavily owned. My pre race favorites to win this week are Cole Custer and Justin Allgaier. Reddick and Bell will also be top contenders and Austin Dillon driving the #10 could offer a threat as well.
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Mid to Low Tier
This area continues to be ultra important this year with lots of strong 35-45 point performances out of drivers in the $8200-$6700 price range. Jeffery Earnhardt is again in the #18 for JGR this week and after finishing 3rd last week sees his price drop to $8200. Brandon Jones is another driver who took a weird price drop. After scoring 38 DK points the last two week and costing $9200 and $8800 we now see him priced at $7900 for the Pocono race. While I believe Jones is one of the least talent drivers out there a $2600 price drop from 4 weeks ago for someone driving for Joe Gibbs is inexplicable and should be taken advantage of. Brandon Brown, Gray Gaulding, Ray Black and Josh Williams all continue to score well with consistency and should see lots of attention this week.
Punts
Given the low DNF rate there really isn’t a ton of upside below $6500. The best bet for attacking this area would be playing the safer drivers like Matt Mills and Stephen Leicht who have shown the ability to finish races. We expect guys like Sheppard, Green, Bilicki, Jackson and Currey to park it these week.
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