Geico 500 - DFS NASCAR Sleepers and Drivers to Avoid at Talladega

We are back to racing after a long week off and headed to (what I consider Gods Racetrack) TALLADEGA! This weekend I will be in the pits representing RotoBaller to bring you some inside information that will set you up for success with your DFS lineups on Sunday.

My excitement level is through the roof for this race as it was the first track my Dad brought me to and started my love for the sport. Be sure to keep up with me this weekend on Twitter (@GarageGuyChase) and Instagram.

Before the week off, Martin Truex Jr got his first career short track victory at Richmond Raceway. I was happy to see him finally pull off a victory in the short game due to his success he's had in his career. I even listed him as a sleeper in the last Sleepers and Drivers to Avoid article that I wrote so hats off to those of you who gave him a start.

Editor's Note: RotoBaller has released it's NASCAR Premium Pass to help you win on DFS sites. The NASCAR Premium Pass writing team includes FSWA Hall Of Famer Scott Engel,  four-time FSWA award winner Daniel Dobish who has won NASCAR writer of the year twice, and five-time NASCAR DFS Tournament champ Sean Engel. Be sure to check it out!

Sign Up Now!

What We Learned at Richmond

• Kyle Larson's bad luck continues
• Paul Menard broke his bad record streak
• Kevin Harvick is still winless after securing the Pole
• Martin Truex CAN win at a short track

DFS Sleepers - Geico 500

Chase Elliott

Hendrick Motorsports has had its issues this year and one driver that I feel can be the first to turn it around is Chase Elliott. Elliott's best finish at Talladega was last April when he finished third after starting fifth from the pole. He doesn't put up those numbers in the fall so this is the race to give him the nod if you're going to do it. If he starts towards the middle or rear, it's all systems go for me.

Kyle Larson

Two weeks ago I had Kyle Larson as a driver to avoid. He wasn't a fan of my analysis but I just call it like I see it and this is the week Larson can prove everyone wrong. Earlier in the year, Larson placed 7th in the Daytona 500 and if he brings that game this weekend he will be worth a start at a good price on DraftKings and FanDuel. On a side note, Larson spent his week off playing golf with Michael Jordan and when you hang with goats you get inspired.

Michael McDowell

I was told by a friend earlier in the year that Michael McDowell would do well on the larger tracks this year and I laughed my face off. When I saw that he placed fifth in the Daytona 500 I immediately regretted the laughter. McDowell is a long time driver that is itching for his first win and Talladega is known for making names with these smaller teams. The best finish McDowell has had at this track is 16th in his career but its a new package we're dealing with and he seems to have a feel for it at the larger tracks.

DFS Avoids - Geico 500

Martin Truex Jr. 

Martin Truex Jr. is coming off his first short track win but I see some winning hangover hitting him this week. Not only that but historically Talladega hasn't been too kind to Truex. Since 2015 he has only placed one Top 5 and one Top 10. Even with a new package and new team its still a long shot for Truex to bag Dega or get you solid point production in your lineups. Especially if he starts towards the front.

Eric Jones

Last year in October, Jones finished 8th at the track but ask a driver and they will tell you there's a difference between racing in the fall and the spring. Jones has never cracked the Top 20 in his career at Talladega in April and even though he had success at Daytona I'm going to hang up his helmet this weekend. With Truex and Jones both not looking hot for me this weekend you can clearly see who I have faith in at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Bubba Wallace

Bubba has been very disappointing this year for many. I along with other believed that he would have more success with the new package this year and Richard Petty Motor Sports would invest more to make him a successful driver but this hasn't happened and here we are. Wallace has had two Top 20 finishes in his career at Talladega but don't count on that to get you in the money in DFS. Until we see a Top 10 out of Bubba, keep him out of your lineups.

The Keys to Weekly NASCAR DFS Success

Our DFS NASCAR Premium Package features Sean Engel, who won his sixth career tournament at Bristol, and had the top lineup in seven contests and 10 top-two finishes. Be sure to use his weekly NASCAR DFS rankings, updated regularly.

Chase Holden's DFS picks at Martinsville and Texas were tops in the industry, and we also have two-time FSWA Racing Writer of the Year Daniel Dobish and two-time Racing Writer of the Year finalist Scott Engel in the crew.

Set your winning DFS lineups with our award-winning team, and use promo code GARAGE for a discount.

For any and all fantasy NASCAR questions, find me on Twitter @GarageGuyChase.  

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.