DraftKings NASCAR DFS Picks: Pocono

“It’s tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time, it’s tricky!” – Tricky, Run DMC

Be honest, you just sang that to yourself while you read it. Of course the mention of the Run DMC classic can only mean one thing:

The NASCAR Cup Series has returned to the one and only Tricky Triangle, otherwise known as Pocono Raceway. With three distinct turns that make it unique, Pocono presents a unique experience for the drivers and teams that they won’t see again until they come back next season.

Without question, you need to pay special attention to Denny Hamlin. Hamlin is white hot after back-to-back wins at Michigan international raceway last week and Nashville Superspeedway the week prior. What’s more, he’s also won at Pocono an unbelievable seven times in his career. I would also say that Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney are favorites there as well. Both have won at Pocono in the past and usually run inside the top five to 10.

I would avoid anybody with Trackhouse Racing or RFK Racing. While Chris Buescher was a bright spot for the latter last week at Michigan, and Shane van Gisbergen has been running well for the former, everybody else on those teams have been struggling. Christopher Bell is also going to be driving with one arm after injuring his wrist last week. I’d likely avoid him too, because you have to shift to be successful here at Pocono.

Fantasy Forecast

Denny Hamlin $11,000

Guys I’d be a fool to sit here and tell you DH is the favorite and not put him first on the lineup card.

His career record here speaks for itself, but it’s what Hamlin is chasing that makes me think he’s going to pull it off this weekend: history. He currently sits tied on the career wins list with the late great Kyle Busch, someone he attributes his success to and thinks the world of. He’s also chasing three wins in a row.

Only 26 drivers in the 75 year-plus history of NASCAR have won three Cup races in a row. If he can pull it off he’ll join Tyler Reddick on that list and 2026 will become the first time since 2018 multiple drivers will have three straight wins.

If there’s anything we know about Hamlin, it is that he is very good at “chasing the carrot,” if you will. Use that to your advantage.

Chase Briscoe $9,900

With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding his teammate this week, I feel like people have forgotten that Briscoe won this race a season ago.

It’s also strange how this season has mirrored last season for this No. 19 team. Last season, he needed a win coming to Pocono and it really cemented him as a possible title contender, which he turned out to be.

This year he needs a win to cement himself as a Chase participant, and I think this is the sneaky team to keep an eye on for that. Briscoe has also been pretty good over his last three starts, registering two straight top-10 finishes.

I like him almost as much as Hamlin, but I’m keeping my expectations at around a top three to five for him.

Carson Hocevar $8,700

Hocevar has been in the news again this week for his aggressiveness, and I’ll be frank: I think his aggressiveness is just fine, and he should keep being himself.

Furthermore, he’s been a slam dunk fantasy-wise this season, scoring 50 plus points most weeks in 2026. He has also managed to snag three top-10 finishes in his last six starts. He also ran well here a year ago, despite finishing 18th.

Regardless, he’s closer to his next win than many would think. It won’t be this weekend, but it’s coming soon. This week I think he settles for a top five or 10.

Daniel Suarez $7,700

Speaking of hot streaks, good grief Suarez has been awesome. He, of course, won the Coca-Cola 600 two weeks ago, and last week at Michigan, he surprised a lot of people with another fabulous run.

In fact, his sixth-place finish last week was his third top-10 result in his last six starts as well. Perhaps nobody could have predicted that Suarez would’ve been as good as he has been with Spire Motorsports, but I’ve reaped the dividends myself quite a bit this year.

Suarez will most likely get you some top-15 points but has top-five upside.

Erik Jones $7,200

That Jones boy has been so solid since the All-Star Race that he’s worked his way into Chase contention. That’s a huge deal for Legacy Motor Club, who has not done that in quite a while.

Is it fair to say that this famous No. 43 could find its way back in victory lane? Absolutely not. Is it coming at Pocono? I don’t think so, but it’s a fact that he should net you some solid points.

I do worry that maybe the momentum runs out this weekend, but I don’t think that will be the case. Toyota is fast, and fast usually equals results, especially from a driver as solid as this one.

Cole Custer $5,100

I’m sick of using the phrase “hot streak” but it applies to Custer here, who makes his first appearance on the lineup card in 2026. He’s had top-25 finishes in each of his last three starts, which is the best he’s been running in quite a long time.

The No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet has had some issues to be sure this season, but looking at his finishes lately and his qualifying effort on Saturday, I like this pick.

You folks know that I’m a fan of cheap efficiency when it comes to fantasy, and this pick screams that. If Custer can keep this car in the top 20, it’s a net positive.

Top Bets of the Week

Denny Hamlin +225

I’m not trying to beat this into your heads this week, but the choice is definitely yours to listen or not. Hamlin is second to none right now in the series. He’s made up an insane amount of points on what once was a massive lead for Reddick, and that continues again this week.

Dark Horse of the Week: Erik Jones +5000

Jones barely beats out Suarez for my dark horse of the week. It really just comes down to the fact that Toyota has been outpacing everybody else each and every week. Plus, I think Jones could maybe pull off a fuel strategy card or beat the weather from that starting spot he has. I’d tip my hat to the Jones Boy this weekend for sure.