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There's just something about NASCAR and Nashville that mix together. And by the look of things, Sunday's inaugural Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway could be a good one.
Did you see that Xfinity Series race? Holy smoke what a show. And not to get too technical, but given the fact the Cup Series has its 750 horsepower, low down aerodynamic package this weekend is promising.
Unlike many races this year, Nashville featured practice and qualifying (but for full transparency, this piece is being written before qualifying on Sunday morning). After qualifying, prices may vary, but going into it, not surprisingly, many of the top drivers and teams are similarly priced. So while I'm going to give you a rundown of who I think should be on your team, remember to look at qualifying and practice results before setting your lineup.
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Kyle Larson
(DraftKings $11,800 | FanDuel $14,o00 | DK SportsBook +225)
Does anything really need to be said as to why Larson should be the primary driver in your lineup? In the last month and a half, the No. 5 car hasn't finished worse than second(!).
And though Nashville isn't technically an intermediate racetrack, it does race similarly to those cookie cutter types of racetrack. Let's not forget what Larson has done on intermediates this season: Led 836 laps and picked up two victories. Throw in the All-Star Race last weekend and he's scored three checkered flags on 1.5-mile racetracks this season.
Oh, and if you base your picks off practice. Larson was quickest on one-lap, five lap, 10-lap and 15-lap averages. So do I really need to say anything else?
The No. 5 team is hitting on all eight cylinders right now; so take advantage of it.
Kyle Busch
(DraftKings $9,900 | FanDuel $12,000 | DK SportsBook +1000)
Over the past season and a half, Kyle Busch has been vocal about needing practice to hone in on his racecar, making it the best come race time. Well, he got 50 minutes of practice, plus an Xfinity race (in which he dominated, leading 122 of 189 laps en route to his 100th series victory).
Over the past month, Busch's No. 18 team has been the only real competition to Hendrick Motorsports. Remember the Coca-Cola 600? Hadn't it been for Busch, HMS would have scored a second 1-2-3-4 sweep in three races. In last week's All-Star Race, he came from 20th to ninth in the 10-lap sprint at the end.
Add in the fact, Busch has a ton of experience at Nashville, including four Xfinity wins in 11 starts, and his chances are seemingly high for Sunday. Based on practice speeds, the No. 18 car was 21st in single-car speed and ninth on 10-lap averages.
Brad Keselowski
(DraftKings $9,500 | FanDuel $10,300 | DK SportsBook +1500)
Since earning consecutive top-five finishes at Talladega Superspeedway (win) and Kansas Speedway (third), Brad Keselowski has had five straight finishes outside the top 10 in points-paying races. Quite surprising for a driver who thrives on consistency. That's got to turn around at some point, right?
You'd like to think so. And Nashville could very well be that place. Flashback over 13 years ago, Keselowski picked up his first career Xfinity triumph at Nashville. It was also the first for an upstart JR Motorsports, which has turned out to be one of the series' Goliaths. In 2010, driving for Team Penske, the Michigan native scored another win at Nashville en route to the Xfinity championship. Over a six-race span at the venue between 2008 and 2011, Keselowski had all top-five finishes and five top threes.
That prior track time suits Keselowski well this weekend. He knows what the track is going to do and what lines to run. In practice, though, the No. 2 car was 26th on the board. Take that with a grain of salt and look where the team sits after qualifying.
Alex Bowman
(DraftKings $9,300 | FanDuel $9,500| DK SportsBook +1300)
Out of the four Hendrick Motorsports cars -- which will all surely be fast on Sunday -- Bowman is the best value pick. Because of that, it peaks my interest more than Chase Elliott or William Byron, despite those two drivers being quicker than the No. 48 car in practice.
While Larson, Chase Elliott and William Byron are the three favorites to win the race, Bowman has 13-1 odds. If you're putting money down on drivers to straight up win, the No. 48 car is a good choice. Also remember, the last time the Cup Series races on a concrete track, it was Bowman who led the HMS brigade at Dover International Speedway, sweeping the top four positions.
Bowman was 10th in practice, but for some reason, I have a good feeling about him on Sunday. But, you can't go wrong with any Hendrick driver right now, so choice is yours when it comes to the Nos. 5, 9, 24 and 48.
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Joey Logano
(DraftKings $8,900 | FanDuel $11,000 | DK SportsBook +1600)
Flashback to 2008, Joey Logano was this brash, 18-year-old that was given the nickname "the best thing since sliced bread." In his second Xfinity start, he won the pole at Nashville, only to finish 31st in the race.
In his second start at the track, Logano claimed one of the guitar trophies, leading 95 of 225 circuits. In four starts at the track, he's earned three top 10s.
Quite honestly, Logano is probably underpriced going into the weekend on DraftKings, but as noted, many of the top drivers are similarly priced due to the qualifying order not yet being set. His 16-1 odds to win the race are good, because the No. 22 team has maximized its car in nearly every race this season.
Though he was an average 17th in practice, Logano's prior laps -- like Busch and Keselowski -- could pay off in the long run. For whatever reason, the No. 22 car is one I've got my eye on heading into the 400-mile race.
Austin Dillon
(DraftKings $8,100 | FanDuel $8,000 | DK SportsBook +8000)
With the season Austin Dillon has had, sitting 12th in the overall championship standings, 105 points above the cutline, it's surprising the No. 3 team doesn't get more credit. But Dillon has been fighting that battle his whole career, despite winning championships in both the Truck and Xfinity series'.
Competing in those series over the years awarded Dillon track time at Nashville. Driving part time for Kevin Harvick Inc. in 2011, Dillon competed in the last two Xfinity races at the venue prior to this weekend. In his last outing, he placed third. In Trucks, his numbers are even better, winning the series' last race at Nashville ahead of this past Friday night.
Prior to the 2021 season beginning, Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing formed a partnership on its respective engine program, and clearly it's paid off. Don't be surprised to see the No. 3 car inside the top 10, maybe even top five, come Sunday evening. And those 80-1 odds to win could be tempting for some players. The No. 3 car was 23rd in the lone practice session.
Ross Chastain
(DraftKings $7,600 | FanDuel $6,800 | DK SportsBook +4000)
After a tough start to the season, Ross Chastain's No. 42 team has turned it around of late, picking up a pair of top-10 finishes in the recent road course events at Sonoma Raceway and Circuit of The Americas. But even on ovals he's been fast.
Starting at the rear of the field in last week's All-Star Open, Chastain soared through the field and won the first stage, advancing the No. 42 team to the All-Star Race. At points in that race, he showed promise, as he has at times throughout the season.
Based on prices, Chastain is a good value pick, especially on FanDuel. Surprisingly, his odds are 40-1, which are better than his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Kurt Busch, Christopher Bell, Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, the list goes on and on. While I don't advise to play that bet, it wouldn't surprise me to see his Hendrick/RCR powered Chevrolet have another standout performance.
In practice, Chastain was solid, posting the seventh quickest lap of the session. But the No. 42 car exceled on the long run, sitting second on 10-lap averages.
Ryan Preece
(DraftKings $6,000 | FanDuel $4,500 | DK SportsBook +50000)
Ryan Preece got off to a solid start in the 2021 season, earning back-to-back top 10s. Since then, it's been mixed results, though still ahead of three Stewart-Haas Racing cars in the points.
Many drivers and team owners have told me confidence is a key factor in running well. Some rely on it very heavily, which if you break it down, makes a lot of sense. Well, Preece won Friday's Truck Series race in his series debut, and anytime a driver gets a win that's got to give them a confidence boost.
Personally, I think Preece is a solid choice to fill out your lineup. But again, look at qualifying, because his JTG Daugherty Racing teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was mighty quick in practice on Saturday. The No. 37 car wasn't too shabby in 18th.
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