RADIO
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads to North Wilkesboro this weekend, with the series set to play a supporting to the Cup Series All-Star Race. This marks the fourth time the series has been to this track, though last year was the first time since 1996 that NASCAR had run at the historic track.
Last weekend, the Truck Series was in Darlington, a race that saw Cup Series regular Ross Chastain land in victory lane. Nick Sanchez finished second and currently sits third in the point standings. He's 57 points behind leader Christian Eckes, with Corey Heim in the second. Heim is 14 points back of Eckes.
Here at RotoBaller, we want to help you make informed decisions about your DFS lineups, which is why I'll be breaking down the slates for the Craftsman Truck Series. Let's look at some NASCAR Truck Series DFS lineup picks for the Wright Brand 250 on DraftKings. Be sure also to check out our NASCAR Premium Tools for Truck Series, including our DFS Lineup Optimizer and powerful Research Station. This slate locks on 5/18/2024 at 1:44 p.m. EST.
Truck Series DFS Preview - DraftKings
Be sure also to check out all of our other weekly NASCAR DFS articles to help you set your optimal DFS lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Last Year At North Wilkesboro
Normally I'd talk about recent trends at a track, but all we have for North Wilkesboro is the 2023 race. That's because we can't learn anything from the other races here. A 1996 Mark Martin win that featured zero drivers who are currently racing in any of NASCAR's touring series just isn't teaching us who'll win in 2024.
Last season's return to North Wilkesboro saw the caution flag fly 12 times, with 81 of the 252 laps run under the yellow. Seven drivers failed to finish the race and we only got one green flag run that was more than 30 laps.
Maybe the drivers do a little better job keeping the trucks clean this year, but I still expect a race with a good number of cautions. Truck Series races have a tendency to get a little out of control and I'm expecting this to be one of those races.
Last season, Kyle Larson dominated this race, leading 138 of the 252 laps. Corey Heim led the second-most laps, pacing the field 75 times around. Heim ultimately finished sixth.
Of the top 10 drivers at the end of the 2023 race, five didn't start in the top 10. The cautions and the nature of this track mean that starting farther back isn't a death sentence, so I'll be very invested in place differential on Saturday.
Top NASCAR Trucks DFS Lineup Plays
Note: Written Before Qualifying
Corey Heim ($10,500) is my pre-qualifying pick to win Saturday's race at North Wilkesboro. Heim won the pole here in 2023 and led 75 laps but ultimately finished sixth in the race. He's won twice already in 2024 and has six finishes of third or better in nine starts.
Ross Chastain ($11,500) makes the dip down into the Truck Series again this weekend. Last week, Chastain ended up winning the Darlington race in the series, though he only led three laps. He was fifth in his other Truck Series start this year. I don't know if this Niece truck has the juice to dominate, but Chastain should be around near the front at the end of the day.
Christian Eckes ($10,800) has run extremely well this season, posting an average finish of 7.7 through the first nine races of the season. That includes a pair of wins. Eckes struggled here last season though, starting 13th and spending less than half of the race in the top 15. He ultimately finished 25th.
Pre-practice Truck sims for North Wilkesboro:
1. Christian Eckes 21.5%
2. Ty Majeski 13.4%
3. Ross Chastain 12.4%
4. Corey Heim 8.8%
5. Aric Almirola 7.1%Full win/T3/T5 sims plus values at @FDSportsbook ⤵️ https://t.co/N5eHrgmpJV
— Jim Sannes (@JimSannes) May 17, 2024
Ty Majeski ($9,500) hasn't won yet this season, but considering that two of his three career victories have been on short tracks, he should be considered a contender on Saturday afternoon. Majeski finished second to Kyle Larson in this race last year.
Aric Almirola ($10,000) makes his first Truck Series start since 2012 and will be in the No. 16 truck for Hattori, which hasn't run a race since last season. On one hand, I'm slightly concerned about that. On the other hand, Almirola already has an Xfinity Series win this season and he finished third in the 2023 All-Star Open at this track.
Edit: Qualifying was rained out, so Almirola and the No. 16 team will miss the race. Real bummer there, because I was excited to see what Almirola could do in this truck.
Did you know RotoBaller has a Premium DFS NASCAR subscription?
Like what you're reading? You can show your support for Justin by using promo code CARTER when purchasing a NASCAR Premium Pass. You get 10% off and full access to all of our Premium NASCAR articles, DFS tools, and Lineup Optimizer!
Mid-Tier NASCAR Trucks DFS Lineup Options
Note: Written Before Qualifying
Matt Crafton ($8,200) has been solid this season. He's already halfway to last year's number of top fives, though it's worth noting that really just means he has one top five in this No. 88 truck so far. But Crafton has logged solid laps, finishing in the top 15 in seven of the nine races so far. He was seventh in this race last year.
Brenden Queen ($7,200) is set to make his Truck Series debut. "Butterbean," as he's known in the short track world, races in the CARS Tour and actually won the 2023 race at North Wilkesboro. He was fastest in practice on Friday and could be a surprise contender for the win.
I’m speechless. First time in the car and we ended practice top of the board.
Can’t thank my guys at @TRICONGarage and @ToyotaRacing for believing in me and giving me a shot. Can’t wait for tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/eA5Ts8BuMj
— Brenden Queen (@03Butterbean) May 17, 2024
Chase Purdy ($7,500) has taken a step back this year, with his average finish dropping from 14.6 to 19.6. But Purdy is coming off a sixth-place run last week, which followed a pole position at Kansas. There's been some speed in this truck. In 2023, Purdy finished eighth in this race.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sleeper Picks
Note: Written Before Qualifying
Daniel Dye ($6,200) saw his string of top 10 finishes end last week after a 23rd at Martinsville, but the No. 43 truck has shown some definitive improvement lately, with Dye placing in the top 15 in three of the past four races.
Dean Thompson ($6,600) is having much better luck this year than last, when he seemed to crash out every week, though he did fail to finish last week's race at Darlington. He has three top 10s in 2024 and an average finish of 20.2.
Mason Massey ($5,400) continues to log solid laps in this No. 02 truck. Last week's 15th-place result at Darlington has Massey sitting with an average finish of 21.8 this year against an average starting spot of just 30.4. He keeps the truck clean and moves forward. Great place differential value option because of that.
NASCAR DFS News and Driver Outlooks
More Fantasy NASCAR Analysis
The Keys to Weekly NASCAR DFS Success
NASCAR is back, and it's time for you to win more with RotoBaller! Our DFS NASCAR Premium Package features several heavy hitters and proven winners.Jordan McAbee anchors the team with his exclusive NASCAR picks, DFS projections and algorithm-predicted finishing order! In 2022 DFS contests, Jordan had a +33.92% profit margin good for +$10,467.06 profit and qualified for the Fantasy Racing World Championship.
Four-time NASCAR Racing Writer of the Year finalist and fantasy industry legend Scott "The King" Engel is also in the crew, bringing you his weekly strategies and lineup picks. Set your winning DFS lineups with our award-winning team.
