RADIO
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads to North Wilkesboro this weekend as part of All-Star weekend. This is the first time the Truck Series has run at this historic track since 1996, a race won by Mark Martin. It should go without saying, but none of these drivers were in that field.
Last week, Christian Eckes led 82 laps on his way to the win at Darlington. Stewart Friesen, Tanner Gray, William Byron and Carson Hocevar rounded out the top five in that one, while Zane Smith struggled to a 22nd-place finish, with his points lead now down to just nine points over Ty Majeski.
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 Tyson 250 on DraftKings. Be sure to also check out our NASCAR Premium Tools for Truck Series including our DFS Lineup Optimizer and powerful Research Station. This slate locks on 5/20/2023 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
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Zane Smith - $10,300
Starting 36th
Smith kept failing inspection, which led to the points leader not turning a lap in qualifying. He'll bring up the rear on Saturday with a 36th-place starting spot.
On Friday, Smith did get on the track for practice, turning the fourth-fastest lap during the session, which means he should have speed during Saturday's race. While I'm a little anxious to see how easy/hard it'll be to pass, I have no doubt that Smith will be capable of making passes, even if the general trend becomes that it's tough to advance.
In the other short track race this season, Smith qualified first, led five laps, and finished third at Martinsville.
Corey Heim - $9,600
Starting 1st
Like I mentioned above, I don't know if passing will be easy or not in this race. But if we go by the theory that this isn't a great track for "exciting" racing, then I think playing polesitter Corey Heim is probably a good call.
Heim was only 12th in practice, but he was the quickest of all the Toyotas, and, obviously, the pole means he was the fastest Toyota in qualifying as well.
In the other short track race this season, Heim started fourth and led 82 laps on his way to a win at Martinsville. He should be one of the clear favorites to win Saturday's race.
Stewart Friesen - $8,300
Starting 33rd
Poor starting spot for Friesen here, but that works in our favor in DFS since it gives him a lot of place differential upside.
While Friesen is best known as a dirt guy, he does have six top fives and 12 top 10s in 23 short track starts in the Truck Series, with an average finish of 12.7. He might not be a threat to win—and it's worth noting he finished just 30th at Martinsville—but his veteran savvy should lead to a solid run and good amount of PD points on Saturday.
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Tanner Gray - $7,000
Starting 31st
Let's continue to take advantage of good trucks starting 30th or worse, something we don't always get in this series but do today.
Gray's not necessarily a slam dunk like Smith and Friesen are, because he doesn't have the same track record of success. But he has run well at short tracks during his Truck Series career, including finishing fifth earlier this season at Martinsville.
Overall, Gray has run 12 short track races in his Truck Series career and while he only has three top 10s, all three of those were top fives. It's definitely possible he struggles, but with this much place differential upside, I like betting on a solid run.
Jake Garcia - $7,000
Starting 21st
Garcia has been one of the best surprises of this Truck Series season, as sits 13th in the point standings right now and has four top 10s this season, with an average finish of 13.1.
Prior to last week's 26th at Darlington, Garcia had four finishes in a row of 13th or better, including that 13th-place finish which came at Martinsville, the other short track the series has raced.
Garcia should be able to get into the top 15 here, and if things get a little chaotic then he can get up into the top 10 and, potentially, contend for a top five.
Chase Purdy - $6,900
Starting 24th
Purdy was a surprise in practice, turning the third-fastest lap behind just Carson Hocevar and Ty Majeski. Can he turn things around after crashing out the last two races in a row?
Maybe! The closest comparison we have to North Wilkesboro this season is Martinsville and while it's not a great comparison, it is encouraging that Purdy finished 10th there. He's basically sprinkled in some good runs in between some poor runs all season, and this feels like a week where he has a chance to have another solid showing. Starting 24th also gives him the place differential upside he doesn't usually have, as this is only his second start all season outside the top 20.
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