DraftKings NASCAR DFS Picks: Bristol

”There’s no place for softness, not in the arena.” — Starz’s Spartacus

The NASCAR Cup Series returns this week from its hiatus for the Easter holiday with an absolute bang, slam and crash. Its destination is Bristol Motor Speedway, which I will always acknowledge as the world’s fastest half-mile and lovingly celebrate as one of my favorite tracks.

Though the Next Gen car has had its struggles here, as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. once said, “it’s Bristol baby.” This is a driver’s track through and through, but it also rewards aggression like no other. I would not be surprised if either Ty Gibbs or Carson Hocevar end up with their maiden victory this weekend.

I was going to leave the results of my bets at Martinsville Speedway, but what you need to know is this:

I made a lot of money on Chase Elliott. Can I keep the good vibes rolling?

Fantasy Forecast

Ryan Blaney $10,700

Blaney has been very frustrating to select this season. Mostly it’s not been anything the driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang has done. It’s really been centered around how bad this pit crew has been.

The 12 crew is only ranked 33rd in the top 35 of those along the walls on Sundays, which is disastrous for his fantasy value. He will have the best track position possible to start this race if his pit crew can keep it for him.

If they can’t, I may come to regret this.

Ty Gibbs $9,000

Gibbs has been white hot as of late and is arguably on the best run of his career in the Cup Series to date.

I would also argue that Bristol is one of his best tracks. He only has one finish outside the top 10 at the track since 2023. I mentioned earlier that I felt like he could be the winner this week, and I’m more confident in that post qualifying.

Tyler Reddick $ 8,500

Reddick’s momentum certainly cooled at Martinsville, but it won’t take much for it to pick back up here at Bristol.

After all, he put his No. 45 Toyota in the top 10 in qualifying, which is usually a hallmark of a good run for Reddick this season.

The one question mark in my mind is the fact that he has not been good at Bristol over the years. In fact, he’s not been very good here since they stopped covering this place in dirt.

Carson Hocevar $8,000

I remember last year in this very race that Hocevar darn near won the whole thing with a gutsy pit call and then ran his way into a top-11 finish.

Then I recall that he was pretty good here in the fall. Guys, what I mean is this:

This is the week Hocevar does it.

I think he wins this thing on Sunday. He’s got a great starting spot and looked pretty solid in practice. If the equipment holds, The Hurricane mixes it up for that first win.

Daniel Suarez $6,200

I seem to recall that Suarez was once pretty good at Bristol, and I was right up until 2024. Since the 2024 spring race at the track, he’s not finished better than 31st.

So why pick him then? Easy. He’s been so consistent in Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 that I can’t ignore him.

He had decent long run practice speed too, which resulted in a top 15 starting position. Plus, he’s cheap.

Riley Herbst $4,900

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the guy starting in fourth place fetch a lower price in my years of playing fantasy sports.

But Herbst did just that with a monster (no pun intended) qualifying lap on Saturday. His price is low and his car was pretty good in practice.

That’s enough of a reason to spend the money on him.

Top Bet and Dark Horse of the Week

Top Bet: Christopher Bell +650

For all the hoopla surrounding Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin at this track, people forget how good Bell is here. He has the absolute best career average finish here of anyone in the Next Gen car. In fact, his worst finish here is “only” 10th place. What’s more, he won here last fall. I think he’s the favorite, no question.

Dark Horse of the Week:

Carson Hocevar +2000

I love Hocevar’s driving style and how it mixes with this track. Bristol, like the coliseums of old, is a warrior driver’s place, and nobody likes rattling cages like Mr. Ride the Dente himself. He’s the fun bet, and y’all know I love me a fun bet.