This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
CarShield 200
Location: Madison, Ill.
Course: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway
Format: 1.25-mile oval
Laps: 160
Race Preview
Zane Smith won his second race of the season one week ago at Dover and will start this week's race at Gateway from pole. No previous Gateway winners will be in the field for this week's race on the 1.25-mile oval. Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter have the most starts at the track, and Sauter is still searching for his first win of the season. Eight of the 19 series raceS at the track have been won from the front row. David Starr's 2004 Gateway win from 14th was the farthest back a winner has ever started at the track. The remaining 18 times the series has raced there the winner has come from inside the top 10. Only three races remain for drivers to stake their claim on a spot in the playoffs with the battle heating up, as Todd Gilliland sits on the bubble ahead of Derek Kraus.
Key Stats at Gateway
- Number of races: 19
- Winners from pole: 3
- Winners from top-5 starters: 14
- Winners from top-10 starters: 18
- Winners from 21st or lower starters: 0
- Fastest race: 113.726 mph
Previous 10 Gateway Winners
2019 - Ross Chastain
2018 - Justin Haley
2017 - John Hunter Nemechek
2016 - Christopher Bell
2015 - Cole Custer
2014 - Bubba Wallace
2010 - Kevin Harvick
2009 - Mike Skinner
2008 - Ron Hornaday
2007 - Johnny Benson
Gateway is an oblong 1.25-mile oval where turns 1 and 2 are much tighter than turns 3 and 4. Its relatively flat banking puts an emphasis on handling and tire wear. Due to the low banking, track position is an important factor for drivers to come out on top. Setting up a truck that can run out front and carry speed through the two different ends of the track will enable a driver to spend a significant amount of time out front leading laps. For that reason, execution on pit road is imperative. The best opportunity for some teams to gain track position will be through fast pit stops. Any mistakes in adjustments to the trucks or slower than normal stops will put drivers in a hole that may be impossible to overcome.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Sheldon Creed - $11,500
Johnny Sauter - $11,100
Austin Hill - $10,500
Christian Eckes - $10,300
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Matt Crafton - $9,800
Zane Smith - $9,500
Ben Rhodes - $9,200
Todd Gilliland - $9,000
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Stewart Friesen - $8,800
Grant Enfinger - $8,600
Tyler Ankrum - $8,400
Derek Kraus - $8,200
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Ty Majeski - $7,800
Tanner Gray - $7,600
Spencer Davis - $7,100
Austin Wayne Self - $6,400
My Picks
Sheldon Creed - $11,500
Matt Crafton - $9,800
Tyler Ankrum - $8,400
Ty Majeski - $7,800
Austin Wayne Self - $6,400
Spencer Boyd - $5,800
Sheldon Creed starts at a disadvantage on Sunday, but his pace should see him move forward to finish in the top 10. He may not be the driver fantasy players expect to win on Sunday, but he should be expected to work his way forward and potentially even lead a lap or two. Matt Crafton, on the other hand, starts on the second row and will be in perfect position to score his 10th top-10 finish at the track. Tyler Ankrum is another contender starting inside the top 10. He's looking to claim a spot in the championship playoffs, and finished fourth, sixth and seventh in the last three races this season. This will be his second start at the track after retiring from last season's race with brake trouble. Ty Majeski currently ranks 16th in points and has been a regular top-15 finisher this season. His starting spot of 18th puts him in prime position to do that again this weekend in his series debut at the track after winning multiple ARCA events at the venue. Austin Wayne Self has three series Gateway starts and finished 16th and 17th in the last two. He starts 21st on Sunday and should be a reliable option for fantasy rosters looking for lower-priced options. Finally, Spencer Boyd wraps up the Gateway lineup. Both of Boyd's prior series starts at Gateway have ended with top-20 results. His starting spot of 24th should give fantasy players additional points with him expected to move forward again this weekend.
