DraftKings Fantasy NASCAR: Daytona 500

Well, started off the season in the hole. Shocker. But that was a warm up. The real season starts Sunday. It's Daytona Day! We've got a rookie on the pole, Earnhardt looking stout, and countless of strong contenders.


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Last time out:
Duel 1
Entered: $15
Win: $0
Net: -$15

Duel 2
Entered: $15
Win: $20
Net: +$5

HOW IT HAPPENED:
In duel 1, I was looking pretty good with Jr, on my 50/50 team. Unfortunately, Regan and Ragan lost the lead pack on that final run and could not make it up, finishing 15th and 16th, And the icing on the cake was Paul Menard going to the garage with 2 to go. Why you ask? I have no eye deer. If Keselowski could've stuck with Joey and Ryan, that tournament team may have been in the money as well.

I held on in duel 2, even with the Kenseth pick on both teams. Gilliland was a savior but McMurray carried me home. 50% ownership and a solid 2nd place. The perfect guy in DFS in either a 50/50 or tournament situation.

Season to Date: -$10

TOP PICKS

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $10,300 - How can he not be the pick? He should lead laps, Has solid teammates. Won 2 of the last 3 restrictor plate races and should've won the third. Looked downright unstoppable in his duel. The starting spot is scary, but stick with Junebug on Sunday.

VALUE PICKS

• Casey Mears - $6,500 - Check out Casey's last four points paying starts at Daytona, 6th, 11th, 4th and 10th. That works out to the third highest average finish of ALL drivers, behind only the 88 and the 11. Casey starts 32nd and even a crash won't kill you. Smart money is with the 13 here. 

LINEUPS: 50/50 League

• The A's Picks
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $10,300
• Paul Menard - $7,300
• Ryan Newman - $7,500
• Casey Mears - $6,500
• Martin Truex Jr. - $8,400
• Jimmie Johnson - $9,900
• Analysis: I love this lineup. I'm sure all of these guys will have high ownership, which is my main concern. Earnhardt is the favorite in Vegas. Newman and Menard start together in the back and are bets to crack the top 15 if they avoid trouble. Casey Mears is cheap for his speed. I love Truex in this race. He will be out to prove that last year was not a fluke and starts back in the pack. He has strong Toyota teammates. Johnson tends to find trouble more often than not, but he starts towards the back with a fast car. Jr. will be looking for help at the front. 

LINEUPS: Tournament League

• The A's Picks 
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $10,300
• Joey Logano - $9,600
• Brad Keselowski - $9,200
• Casey Mears - $6,500
• Michael McDowell - $5,600
• Denny Hamlin - $8,600
• Analysis: This team is stacked. I might like it better than my 50/50 team. I'm so conflicted. I think I've got the four best cars in the field on this team in the 2, 22, 11 and 88. Logano won half the restrictor plate races last season. Brad should be on his tail (unlike at the end of duel #1), and came in third in the 500 in 2014. Denny won the shootout just last week and was Junior's only competition in their duel. McDowell starts in the rear and was OK in his duel. I like Mears a ton, as I outlined above.