Overview
NASCAR is back at a superspeedway for the second time this season and the first since Daytona. In between, we’ve had all kinds of tracks and attrition with predictable and unpredictable outcomes. This race expects to fall into the unpredictable category as most superspeedways tend to be. On Saturday the XFINITY Series drivers will hit the 2.66-mile asphalt superspeedway with its high-banked turns for a total of 113 laps (300.58 miles). In the two trips to ‘Dega for the XFINITY Series last season there was no shortage of excitement. The first race included 22 lead changes but just four cautions. The second trip included 33 lead changes with five cautions; two of which were seven-car crashes. The race was called early due to darkness with Brandon Brown earning the checkered flag.
Most comparable tracks: Daytona
*Note: all pricing is DraftKings focused
Strategy
Before getting too deep into the hard-hitting analysis we’re not going to get cute here. This is Talladega, there’s going to be havoc and some solid drivers in good equipment are starting towards the rear of the field. Stacking the back is prevalent this week just as it is every time we go to a superspeedway. Don’t be worried about leaving your salary on the table.
Top Drivers
Noah Gragson ($10,300), Starting 19th
Gragson is one of the better drivers in the field and is in quality equipment running the 9 car for Jr. Motorsports. With the exception of one race, the most recent, Gragson has been able to stay out of trouble at ‘Dega in his XFINITY career through six races there. Outside of that 30th place early finish, Gragson has finished fourth, 11th, 10th, third, and sixth. The last time he started as far back as 19th, he actually started 20th and finished fourth; this was his first race at Talladega.
Jeb Burton ($8,400), Starting 22nd
Speaking of staying out of trouble, Burton did just that as he won this race last year and in four trips to ‘Dega also has a third-place and seventh-place finish on the ledger. Jeb will start 22nd on Saturday, the deepest he’s ever started at Talladega allowing for plenty of place differential upside.
Myatt Snider ($7,900), Starting 31st
Things have not gone smoothly for Snider this year as he’s in the 31 car for Jordan Anderson, quite the step down from the Richard Childress 2 car he’d run previously. Snider posted a sixth-place finish at COTA but other than that hasn’t finished better than 21st. With that being said, there’s plenty of room for some attrition to go Snider’s way as he’ll start 31st.
Jeremy Clements ($6,900), Starting 34th
Clements should be the chalkiest play of the race starting back at 34th and in his last four races here he’s been able to keep the car clean. With finishes of 24th, 14th, 20th, and 24th in his last four trips to the superspeedway, Clements offers a solid P.D. floor considering his salary being under 7K.
Kyle Sieg ($6,600), Starting 37th
Younger brother to Ryan, Kyle will be in a Sieg car once again, this time in the 39, usually the car that Ryan is driving. There’s no denying the talent that Kyle has and with this type of starting spot in a solid car at just $6,600, there’s a lot to be intrigued about here.
Also consider:
Ryan Ellis ($5,400), Starting 38th
Riley Herbst ($8,500), Starting 20th
Gray Gaulding ($4,600), Starting 33rd
Joe Graf ($6,200), Starting 24th
GOOD LUCK!!