DraftKings NASCAR DFS Picks: Phoenix

“I finally rest, and watch the sun set on a grateful universe” – Thanos, Avengers: Infinity War

Tyler Reddick became inevitable last week, capturing his third straight win to open the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season and making history along the way.

Unfortunately for Reddick, Michael Jordan and the rest of 23XI Racing, the good vibes end at Phoenix Raceway this weekend.

His average finish of 14.1 at the track is deceiving, as his best performances there came with Richard Childress Racing four years ago. He was particularly dreadful there last year, finishing 20th and 26th.

I know 2026 Reddick is not 2025 Reddick by any means. But his run to start this season is coming to an end, and it is time for a new face to establish some momentum for a brand new season.

Fantasy/Betting Wrap Up: 2026 DuraMax Grand Prix

Right On The Money	Lick Your Wounds
Reddick +450 to win	Ross Chastain: 35 points scored
Reddick, Shane van Gisbergen: combined for 133.8 points
Todd Gilliland: 42 points scored

Fantasy Forecast

Ryan Blaney, $11,200

For a long time during last week’s race at Circuit of the Americas, Ryan Blaney was far and away the only guy who could keep up with Reddick.

Now he’s the guy who ends the No. 45’s dominant run this weekend.

The numbers for the 2023 champion at Phoenix speak for themselves: one win, a 5.8 average finish in the Next Gen car and only one finish outside the top five since 2022. The dude is just elite at the track.

Joey Logano, $9,200

Speaking of elite drivers at Phoenix, outside of Blaney it doesn’t get much better than his teammate, Joey Logano.

He has won all three of his championships at the track, and he laid down a blistering pole-winning lap today (March 7).

Logano doesn’t have the car to win the race, but he’s just too good there to not have on the roster. Besides, track position is king and always will be, and he’s likely to lead a lot of laps for your point totals.

Ross Chastain, $8,800

Ross Chastain was hugely disappointing at COTA, to be sure. But it could absolutely be argued that Phoenix is a better track for him anyway.

He rolls off sixth, has a win there in the past and a nifty average finish of 9.9 in the Next Gen.

Now, there is a good chance something out of his control will take place like it did at COTA. But it’s far more likely that he runs in the top 10 all day.

Ryan Preece, $7,000

While Phoenix is not even near the size of a short, flat track, it does have the tendencies of that kind of a layout. If you’ve been following this column since I’ve been writing it, you know my favorite name to run when it comes to this scenario.

Ryan Preece’s numbers here are in no way serviceable when looked at as whole. But since joining RFK Racing, he’s finished no worse than 15th.

That is precisely where he’ll land when it’s all said and done, too.

Austin Cindric, $6,900

Yep, I’m rolling with a Team Penske trifecta this weekend.

While driver No. 2 is not nearly as accomplished there as his teammates are, here are some interesting notes from practice regarding Austin Cindric. On 10- and 20-lap runs during the lone session prior to qualifying, no one was faster than him. Not Blaney, not Logano and certainly not Reddick, who went for a spin instead.

What’s more, he’s got his best starting spot of the year, rolling off right behind Logano in the second row.

Stay tuned. Cindric is dark horse material this week.

Daniel Suarez, $6,200

How about the start to the season Daniel Suarez has had?

I was worried about how he was going to fit with Spire Motorsports, but it’s already a roaring success at this point.

He had an impressive run at EchoPark Speedway and followed that up with a good one at COTA, at least until he was bitten by pit strategy late. Now? He’s going to start fourth at Phoenix.

I like Suarez to bring home another sneaky top 10, maybe even a top five this weekend.

Prop Bets and Dark Horses

1. Blaney +475 to win

This is a no-brainer. Last week proved that no one in this field can take the fight to Reddick right now except for Blaney. It helps that I just don’t think the No. 45 will be a serious contender tomorrow. Points go to Blaney, and I like him to become the first different winner of 2026.

Dark Horse of the Week: Cindric +5,000 to win

I am all aboard the Cindric train this weekend, though. I like to bet on fun, and the less successful Penske driver (to this point in his career) beyond intrigues me, especially considering that he seems to be the fastest Ford in the field based on long-run speed. Heck, he’s got some short-run ponies, too, when you look at that qualifying lap. I say take the risk on Cindric this weekend if you got some money to play with.