This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500
Location: Hampton, Ga.
Course: Atlanta Motor Speedway
Format: 1.5-mile quad-oval
Laps: 325
Race Preview
Late race contact between Joey Logano and Chase Elliott left Brad Keselowski to pick up the pieces and claim his second win of the season last week at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott again had the car to beat, winning both stages, but drove too deep and collided with Logano. The victory was Keselowski's second since racing resumed and the fourth for Penske Racing so far this season. With the first short-track stop behind them, the NASCAR Cup series teams and drivers return to super-fast Atlanta Motor Speedway. The circuit hosts just one series visit each year and the defending winner is Keselowski.
Again, the starting positions were determined by random draw. Chase Elliott will be on pole with Aric Almirola alongside. Joey Logano will be on the second row with Kyle Busch, while Keselowski will start sixth. Atlanta's configuration is similar to Charlotte where Keselowski and Elliott won the two races just a few weeks ago. The biggest difference this weekend could prove to be tire wear, though. Atlanta's old and rough track surface will eat tires quickly and teams won't be able to stay out on old tires and hold off those behind with more grip quite as easily as they were able to in Charlotte.
Key Stats at Atlanta Motor Speedway
- Number of races: 112
- Winners from pole: 14
- Winners from top-5 starters: 62
- Winners from top-10 starters: 87
- Winners from 21st or lower starters: 8
- Fastest race: 166.633 mph
Previous 10 Atlanta Winners
2019 - Brad Keselowski
2018 - Kevin Harvick
2017 - Brad Keselowski
2016 - Jimmie Johnson
2015 - Jimmie Johnson
2014 - Kasey Kahne
2013 - Kyle Busch
2012 - Denny Hamlin
2011 - Jeff Gordon
2010 fall - Tony Stewart
Atlanta Motor Speedway features one of the rougher surfaces on the NASCAR calendar. The high speeds coupled with the current high-downforce rules package creates a tough situation for tires. Fantasy owners should expect lap speeds for fresh tires to be significantly faster than those later in the stints. As the race wears on track position and pit strategy will be a significant factor in which drivers will be in contention to win. The 1.5-mile oval has produced just five cautions in the last two races. The long green-flag runs will separate those who can manage grip the best, which should open the door to differing pit strategies that can allow drivers to leap forward if cautions fall in their favor.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Kevin Harvick - $11,700
Kyle Busch - $11,200
Joey Logano - $10,500
Jimmie Johnson - $10,200
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Chase Elliott - $9,900
Martin Truex Jr. - $9,600
Kurt Busch - $9,400
Alex Bowman - $9,100
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Brad Keselowski - $8,900
Clint Bowyer - $8,700
Ryan Blaney - $8,500
Matt Kenseth - $8,100
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
William Byron - $7,900
Christopher Bell - $7,400
Matt DiBenedetto - $7,200
Erik Jones - $6,600
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Kevin Harvick - $11,700
Chase Elliott - $9,900
Brad Keselowski - $8,900
Matt DiBenedetto - $7,200
Ryan Preece - $6,200
John Hunter Nemechek - $6,000
Kevin Harvick (DK $11,700, FD $14,000) has two Atlanta wins and is coming off Bristol's 11th-place finish, the first race of the season where he failed to finish in the top 10. He is an easy fantasy selection this weekend due to his finishes this year as well as his run of five consecutive top-10s at Atlanta heading into this weekend's race. Chase Elliott (DK $9,900, FD $12,300) might have the fastest machinery of anyone this season. He has a win under his belt and probably could have won at least three other races by now. Atlanta is his home track and he has three top-10s from four starts there. Brad Keselowski (DK $8,900, FD $13,200) is the picture of not giving up until it is over. He won two races this season that even he would admit were based more on luck than pace. Penske Racing remains the best in the business for strategy and Keselowski's two prior Atlanta wins could make that a perfect combination for this week's race. Matt DiBenedetto (DK $7,200, FD $8,600) only has a best Atlanta finish of 26th, but last week's race at Bristol was only the first time this year he failed to finish in the top 20. He should snag his best career finish at the track this weekend. Ryan Preece (DK $6,200, FD $5,000) crashed out of his rookie Atlanta race last season but was 12th last week at Bristol, while John Hunter Nemechek (DK $6,000, FD $6,000) has been a consistent top-15 finisher each week so far this season.
Higher-Risk Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Joey Logano - $10,500
Jimmie Johnson - $10,200
Matt Kenseth - $8,100
Christopher Bell - $7,400
Ryan Newman - $7,100
Erik Jones - $6,600
Joey Logano (DK $10,500, FD $14,000) missed out on his third victory of the season last week at Bristol when Chase Elliott collided with him. He doesn't have an Atlanta win yet but should show similar speed Sunday as he makes a push for Bristol redemption. Jimmie Johnson (DK $10,200, FD $10,000) may be close to being a reliable fantasy option again. He looks destined to win this season with the pace he has had so far and with five track wins here, this could be the week it happens. Another veteran worth considering this week is Matt Kenseth (DK $8,100, FD $7,000). The former champion has never won at Atlanta but does have three top-5s from his last three races at the track. Christopher Bell (DK $7,400, FD $6,000) dominated the Xfinity series race at this track last season and brings three finishes of 11th or better in the last four races into this weekend. Were it not for multiple mistakes last week at Bristol, Ryan Newman (DK $7,100, FD $7,300) might have scored a top-10 finish. He has never won at this track, but he did qualify on pole for six straight races at the circuit. Finally, any time fantasy owners see Erik Jones (DK $6,600, FD $9,000) with a salary this low they should consider selecting him. Jones only has three Atlanta starts in the series, but none of them have resulted in a finish outside of the top 15. He starts 14th on Sunday.
