This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
BOJANGLES' SOUTHERN 500
Location: Darlington, S.C.
Course: Darlington Raceway
Format: 1.37-mile oval
Laps: 367
Race Preview
Darlington Raceway is one of the sport's iconic venues. The "Track Too Tough to Tame" holds a number of nicknames that allude to its callous nature. The track surface is abrasive, and the unique banking at each end makes drivers race right against the outside wall through the turns. Four-tire stops will be the order of the day, and many cars will be loaded onto their trucks with a "Darlington stripe" from brushing the walls as a visible reminder of the tough race. Since the high line is the preferred route around the final corners most passing will be done on the inside of the bends. Kevin Harvick dominated last year's race, leading 238 of the 374 laps. The Southern 500 is one of the highlights of the NASCAR Sprint Cup season, and some would say a successful NASCAR career isn't complete without a Darlington win on the resume.
Key Stats at Darlington Raceway
• Races: 111
• Winners from pole: 20
• Winners from top-5 starters: 70
• Winners from top-10 starters: 96
• Winners from 21st or lower starters: 6
• Fastest race: 141.383 mph
Last 10 Darlington Winners
2014 - Kevin Harvick
2013 - Matt Kenseth
2012 - Jimmie Johnson
2011 - Regan Smith
2010 - Denny Hamlin
2009 - Mark Martin
2008 - Kyle Busch
2007 - Jeff Gordon
2006 - Greg Biffle
2005 - Greg Biffle
Darlington has unique turns at each end in terms of radius and banking, making setups a challenge for teams. The abrasive surface will reward those that field a chassis that is easy on tires, keeping ideal handling for the driver throughout a fuel run. That ability to make the tires last can widen the pit window to suit strategic needs, which can be a big help in gaining track position late in the distance. Prime track position will be an important factor again, but don't discount a late dash for fresh tires in the closing laps. The extra grip from new rubber could come in very handy if picked up on a late restart.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Kyle Busch - $10,600
Kevin Harvick - $10,500
Matt Kenseth - $10,200
Brad Keselowski - $10,000
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Denny Hamlin - $9,500
Jimmie Johnson - $9,300
Jeff Gordon - $8,400
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $8,300
Kasey Kahne - $8,000
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Jamie McMurray - $7,900
Ryan Newman - $7,800
Austin Dillon - $7,500
Greg Biffle - $7,400
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Chase Elliott - $6,600
Justin Allgaier - $6,400
Ty Dillon - $6,100
WHO I WOULD CHOOSE THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Cash Game Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Denny Hamlin - $9,500
Jimmie Johnson - $9,300
Jeff Gordon - $8,400
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $8,300
Ryan Newman - $7,800
Chase Elliott - $6,600
While none of the top-tier drivers in terms of price make an appearance in this lineup, your roster dollars are spent relatively evenly across consistent performers at Darlington. Hamlin won at the track in 2010, and hasn't failed to start worse than 10th there since 2009. The Hendrick Motorsports team may have lost some ground to Joe Gibbs Racing recently, but Johnson is in the top three in terms of driver ratings at the track (along with Hamlin and Gordon) with three Darlington wins and three consecutive top-5s. Gordon hasn't shaken his bad luck this season, but his seven Darlington wins make him one of the best here. Price to value is a great measure for Earnhardt this week, too. He has consecutive top-10 finishes in the last two races here, and Elliott won last season's Xfinity series race at the track.
Higher-Risk Tournament Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Kyle Busch - $10,600
Kevin Harvick - $10,500
Jamie McMurray - $7,900
Aric Almirola - $7,400
David Ragan - $7,200
Justin Allgaier - $6,400
The more risky of the two lineups this week puts the eggs in fewer baskets. However, this lineup is the one to take if you think Harvick will dominate again or Kyle Busch will continue his red-hot form. The pair of drivers each has a Darlington victory, and are arguably the fastest drivers in the series right now. McMurray continues to be an unsung hero to lineups, topping the points among non-winners in 2015 to date, but hasn't found the top 10 since June's Michigan race. Almirola's Darlington record has two top-20 runs from three tries, while Ragan just needs to translate his qualifying pace to a full race distance. Lastly, Allgaier's 12th-place finish at Bristol before the off week should give him a boost in his second Darlington outing where he held station in a tough race.
