Three races are left in the 2019 NASCAR season, and Martinsville was one hell of a ride. Martin Truex Jr. is now a true force of nature at short tracks (next challenge is Bristol), and dominated the race leading 464 laps. I personally didn't see this coming, and as a result, I failed a lot of folks last weekend.
Luckily this weekend, we roll into Fort Worth, Texas (AKA God's Country) to Texas Motor Speedway, where everything is bigger (including the size of the track compared to Martinsville). There are some usual suspects at this track who do really well, but the sleepers come and go. After reviewing both practices, its time to give you the scoop on who should find their way into your lineup, and who shouldn't even worry about saddling up in your DFS lineup.
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What We Learned At Martinsville
- DON'T SLEEP ON MARTIN TRUEX JR AT SHORT TRACKS ANYMORE!
- Do NOT Sleep On MTJ!
- Martin Truex Jr? DON'T SLEEP ON HIM!
- William Byron's time is coming.
- Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin fight like Kip and Napoleon Dynamite.
DFS Lineup Sleepers - First Data 400
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Stenhouse Jr. has become a bit of an afterthought since the announcement of him leaving Rousch Fenway Racing hit the media. This weekend he'll have an opportunity to show his new team (JTG Daugherty Racing) what he's trying to bring to the team. Stenhouse Jr. ran inside the Top 10 at both practices on Friday, and holds an average of 31 FPTS at this track.
William Byron
Byron came out of nowhere last week to finish second at Martinsville (and putting up some solid fantasy points). Byron held his own at this track back in March, finishing the race inside the Top 10. Look for Byron to be gunning for the repeat after his P7 finish in Practice 2 today.
Aric Almirola
Almirola was furious after the incident with Kyle Busch last Sunday in Martinsville. Almirola's exact words were "I'm gonna make it hell for him (Busch)" and he is truly getting the demons out in the Lonestar State. Almirola finished Practice 2 in first place with a speed of 188.561.
DFS Lineup Avoids - First Data 400
Daniel Hemric
Hemric is a decent value play each week, but not in the land of barbeque and people screaming "gO cOwBoYS" 24/7 in your ear drum. In March, Hemric started seventh at this track, and finished in P33. You just can't have those types of days when you're trying to win big in DFS, and his practice times from Friday don't look very promising either.
Ryan Newman
Newman is done for the season, and is just kicking back and cruising (mentally enjoying imaginary hot dogs while driving probably). Even though he is a good play most weeks, It just seems like Newman cant run this track the way he used to anymore. Newman's best time on Friday was 186.522 in Practice 1.
Paul Menard
Menard is another driver I'm ready to hang up the gloves on after the almost horribly disappointing performance from him in Martinsville. Even though the tracks are different, Menard still lives in the '20s at this track (positional, he doesn't have a time machine). With an average of 14 FPTS, and 19th place finish in Practice Two, I'm gonna refrain from playing the bearded warrior.
For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase.
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