RADIO
NASCAR is back! After two weeks with no NASCAR at all and even longer with no Truck Series, we're finally getting things going again.
The Truck Series heads to Watkins Glen on Saturday for the final race before the playoffs, which means there are no Cup Series drivers to worry about anymore when it comes to fantasy. That should make things a lot more interesting as we move forward.
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 Truck Series. Let's look at some NASCAR Truck Series DFS lineup picks for the United Rentals 176 at the Glen on DraftKings. Be sure to also check out our NASCAR Premium Tools for Truck Series including our DFS Lineup Optimizer and powerful Research Station.
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Sam Mayer #32 ($10,600)
Starting 40th
The 32 isn't the greatest truck in the world, but that doesn't really matter too much when Sam Mayer is piloting it, because Mayer can be competitive in anything.
In two races in this car, Mayer has a pair of top 10s, including a sixth-place finish at COTA. He doesn't have a ton of high-level experience at road courses, but he's run strong in the chances he's had, including a top five in the ARCA race last year at the Daytona road course.
Plus, he starts last. There's so much place differential upside here.
A.J. Allmendinger #23 ($10,100)
Starting 25th
A late case of COVID forced Chase Purdy out of the 23, but the driver replacing him is a huge upgrade.
A.J. Allmendinger -- arguably the best road racer in NASCAR -- is taking over the GMS 23 truck. This will be his first Truck start since 2008, but Allmendinger sits second in points in Xfinity right now, with one road course win already this year.
How is he at Watkins Glen, though?
Well, in Cup, Allmendinger has a win and six top 10s at this track in 10 starts. Despite running in underfunded equipment, he's led laps here three times.
In Xfinity, he's run twice at the Glen, but was disqualified in 2019, which makes his overall record here look much worse than it is. He led 24 laps in that race and was on his way to a top five finish. He was also second here in 2018.
All this is to say that Allmendinger has a good chance to get his first Truck Series victory.
Kaz Grala #02 ($10,000)
Starting 23rd
Grala is one of NASCAR's up and coming road aces, which makes it such a shame that he doesn't have a full-time ride in NASCAR.
This will be the third start of the season for Grala in this 02 truck. He finished eighth at the Daytona road course, then led 11 laps at COTA and finished second to Todd Gilliland.
Grala isn't in the best truck, but like with Sam Mayer, talent should outshine equipment here.
In one Xfinity start at the Glen, Grala finished 15th in 2018 while driving the 61 car, which was a Fury Race Cars ride, which was a family team for Grala. Not elite equipment, but he ran a strong race here. I expect a strong race on Saturday.
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Josh Berry #25 (7,400)
Starting 21st
Unlike the drivers mentioned above, Josh Berry isn't necessarily a road course guy. His history is mostly running short tracks.
But that doesn't mean Berry is some slouch at road courses. He's run one of them this year, racing the Xfinity race at Mid-Ohio in Jordan Anderson's 31 car. Starting 31st, Berry brought that car home in eighth.
Berry has a best finish of 10th in four races in this 25 truck. The Glen should be a place that allows his talent to shine, so I think a run inside of the top 10 is definitely in play here. The mix of price and place differential upside makes him a solid play.
Will Rodgers #41 ($6,500)
Starting 29th
Now, things get more speculative.
Will Rodgers will make his Truck Series debut on Saturday. He's run five Xfinity races though, including two road course races. His best finish was 12th at Mid-Ohio in 2019 while driving the 86 car for Jerry Brown.
Rodgers was also fifth in his lone ARCA start at a road course, though ARCA results are hardly predictive of future success considering the state of that series.
Am I worried about this 41 truck? Sure. But Dawson Cram did bring it home in 41st at the Daytona road course race, the best finish of the year for this truck, and there have been three top 25s in the past five races.
This is a risky play, but there's enough PD upside here to get Rodgers into some lineups.
Bobby Reuse #49 ($5,400)
Starting 35th
Want a deep, deep sleeper?
Bobby Reuse starts 35th. His salary is $5,400.
He only finished 27th in his lone start this season at Daytona, but Reuse is in a good truck this weekend -- the 3 truck from Jordan Anderson Racing -- and has a lot of road course experience, including a Truck Series top 20.
You could play his brother Roger too, but Bobby is clearly the better play of the two.
Chad Chastain is also a value option at $4,900 in a Niece truck, but...I mean, the man doesn't even have a Racing Reference page and he's getting thrown into a Truck Series race at a tough road course? I can see this being a chalky play that doesn't work out.
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