Overview
“Throwback weekend” continues for NASCAR, this time with the XFINITY Series taking the Darlington Raceway track for 147 laps. Ty Gibbs is on the pole but there are some drivers other than Ty worth noting in this field, including a Cup Series regular in Tyler Reddick. The egg-shaped 1.366-mile asphalt oval is one of the more challenging tracks on the schedule and it’s worth noting that former Cup Series champion Chase Elliott is running this race specifically because he’s struggled here in years past. The 147 laps we’re getting in this race is the same amount that the Truck Series ran on Friday night basically giving us the same approach and that’s looking to find the two potential dominators within the same lineup.
Most comparable tracks: Homestead, Auto Club, Dover
*Note: all pricing is DraftKings focused
Top Drivers
Tyler Reddick ($10,000), Stating
The Cup Series has been a work in progress for Reddick at Darlington as far as average finish goes with a mark of 14.6 but he’s had success at the XFINITY Series with an average finish of seventh in four races and will start back at 34th on Saturday. Despite not being in top-shelf equipment, Reddick will be a prime cash game candidate with heavy ownership based on his place differential available. Reddick ran this race last year in the Our Motorsports machine, a car that could be considered similar to this one in quality and was able to finish seventh after starting 28th.
Ty Gibbs ($10,500), Starting on the Pole
Track position proved to be important in the Truck race last night as John Hunter Nemechek led 67 laps en route to a victory from the pole, the spot where Gibbs will start in this race. Gibbs already has three win this season and has led over 100 laps on two separate occasions. While Gibbs continues to improve and get laps under his belt, despite not having much success in his only race at Darlington, Gibbs has found success at like tracks Dover and to some extent Fontana.
Noah Gragson ($10,800), Starting 4th
Gragson has found a lot of success at Darlington. In five XFINITY races here he has a win, three top-fives, and an average finish of fifth. In those five races, Gragson has led 40 or more laps on three occasions. Starting fourth, Gragson should have enough time to challenge for position out front early and be one of the potential dominators here.
John Hunter Nemechek ($9,400), Starting 23rd
JHN ran a dominant race last night as I mentioned and has run the 26 Sam Hunt Racing car twice to a fifth-place and 11th-place finish this season. JHN has had the most success in that 26 car this season and starting back at 23rd will offer a ton of place differential.
Also Consider:
Ryan Truex ($9,000), Starting 28th
- For much of his career, Truex has been a disappointment and finds himself in yet again another opportunity in top-notch equipment. With Truex starting 28th, he needs to at least be considered if using multiple lineups due to the P.D. upside but he’s certainly a contender to disappoint.
Jeremy Clements ($6,700), Starting 22nd
- Clements at his home track has posted an average finish of 18th and will start 22nd. There’s some value here but the floor is certainly suppressed.
GOOD LUCK!!