This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
Hollywood Casino 400
Location: Kansas City, Kan.
Course: Kansas Speedway
Format: 1.5-mile oval
Laps: 267
Race Preview
Jimmie Johnson shook off the bad results that have stalked him through the summer to win last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The victory guarantees him a spot in the final eight drivers still alive in the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time in this elimination format. The race was one of attrition, and many Chase contenders fell afoul of pit penalties as well as mechanical failures and contact. The result leaves a jumbled Chase field with two races remaining until the next four drivers will be eliminated. Kansas Speedway is arguably the most important race of this round since the unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway follows in the last of the three races. No one would be excited to travel to that speedway knowing that they need a top finish to advance. Kansas is the place for them to get the job done, which should make this week's race one of the most competitive of the season.
Key Stats at Kansas Speedway
• Number of previous races: 21
• Winners from pole: 4
• Winners from top-5 starters: 9
• Winners from top-10 starters: 12
• Winners from 21st or lower starters: 2
• Fastest race: 144.122 mph
Last 10 Kansas Winners
2016 spring - Kyle Busch
2015 fall - Joey Logano
2015 spring - Jimmie Johnson
2014 fall - Joey Logano
2014 spring - Jeff Gordon
2013 fall - Kevin Harvick
2013 spring - Matt Kenseth
2012 fall - Matt Kenseth
2012 spring - Denny Hamlin
2011 fall - Jimmie Johnson
Kansas used to be a thorn in Kyle Busch's side, but he completely reversed his statistics with the win earlier in the season. Martin Truex Jr. led the most laps in that race, but it was Busch who came forward at the end to steal the win. Still, the circuit is another 1.5-mile oval where we have seen a handful of drivers be consistently quick throughout the season. The goal for this weekend will be for teams to nail chassis setup as early as possible. A good handling car opens plenty of opportunities for drivers to make passes while also being more flexible with tire strategy. Qualifying is important, which gives more reward for those teams that are able to find speed early in the weekend. The track is one of the youngest on the schedule, and it presents a golden opportunity for drivers to win in order to breathe more easily at Talladega in two weeks.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Martin Truex Jr. - $11,100
Kevin Harvick - $10,900
Kyle Busch - $10,000
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Brad Keselowski - $9,700
Chase Elliott - $9,500
Joey Logano - $9,200
Denny Hamlin - $9,000
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Matt Kenseth - $8,700
Kasey Kahne - $8,500
Austin Dillon - $8,200
Ryan Newman - $8,000
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Alex Bowman - $7,700
Ryan Blaney - $7,500
A.J. Allmendinger - $7,000
Chris Buescher - $6,000
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Martin Truex Jr. - $11,100
Kevin Harvick - $10,900
Joey Logano - $9,200
Matt Kenseth - $8,700
Brian Scott - $5,200
Michael Annett - $4,800
It is no coincidence that the two strongest drivers through the Chase thus far lead the lower-risk lineup option in Kansas. Martin Truex Jr. led 172 laps before wheel trouble knocked him from contention at the track earlier this season, while that race was one of Kevin Harvick's many runner-up finishes. Joey Logano is the defending winner of this week's race, and has finished in the top five at the track in five of the last six races. Another two-time Kansas winner in this roster option is Matt Kenseth. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver won back-to-back races at the track in 2012 and 2013, and hasn't finished outside of the top 15 there since 2009. Brian Scott and Michael Annett finish the roster off. While neither has been stellar at the track or this season, they both offer valuable points by their ability to finish higher than they start. They have six career Kansas starts between them and both finished at least six places higher than their start at the track in the spring race.
Higher-Risk Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Jimmie Johnson - $10,600
Kyle Busch - $10,000
Kasey Kahne - $8,500
Alex Bowman - $7,700
Greg Biffle - $7,100
Chris Buescher - $6,000
Jimmie Johnson may be on the start of a new hot streak after enduring a long slump through the middle of the season. He is the top rated driver at Kansas through the last 10 years at the track, and should be a top play this week as a result. Kyle Busch's Kansas struggles in the Sprint Cup series ended with his win there earlier this season, and a sixth-place finish last week could help him put one foot in the next round of the Chase if he is able to back up that performance on Sunday. Fortunes for Kasey Kahne have been improving recently as well. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has five top-10 finishes in the last six races and finished fourth in this race last season. Speed has been apparent from Alex Bowman as he substitutes for Dale Earnhardt Jr. If he can turn that speed into a race finish he should end the day near the top of the running order. Greg Biffle is a two-time Kansas winner that continues to try to rediscover the top results of past years. Roush Fenway Racing is improving, though. His experience at the track could translate to a top-15 finish this week. Lastly, Chris Buescher had one of his better performances of the season last week in Charlotte. He continues to be one of the most valuable drivers at the bottom of the salary scale due to his ability to score top-20s on a regular basis.
