This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
BANK OF AMERICA 500
Location: Concord, N.C.
Course: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Format: 1.5-mile oval
Laps: 334
Race Preview
The first race of the Contender round of the Chase for the Championship will be under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday night. The 1.5-mile quad oval is one of the fastest circuits on the schedule, and one of the more traditional circuit configurations for the series. The high speeds of Charlotte make aerodynamics important to the teams and drivers. Track position is important to be able to have a shot at victory, so pit strategy in the closing segments of the distance will be important. Drivers who qualify up front typically race up front at the track. Just one winner started outside of the top 15 in the last five races.
Key Stats at Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Races: 113
• Winners from pole: 15
• Winners from top-5 starters: 64
• Winners from top-10 starters: 86
• Winners from 21st or lower starters: 9
• Fastest race: 160.316 mph
Last 10 Charlotte Winners
2015 spring - Carl Edwards
2014 fall - Kevin Harvick
2014 spring - Jimmie Johnson
2013 fall - Brad Keselowski
2013 spring - Kevin Harvick
2012 fall - Clint Bowyer
2012 spring - Kasey Kahne
2011 fall - Matt Kenseth
2011 spring - Kevin Harvick
2010 fall - Jamie McMurray
Carl Edwards used pit strategy to capture a win at Charlotte earlier this season. He worked to save fuel in the closing miles while the drivers out front waited for a late caution that never came. Teams will work different strategies on pit road in an effort to enhance their track position, and there is no room for mistakes. Charlotte's surface isn't as abrasive as the last two tracks we've visited, so two-tire stops will be more of a realistic option as well. Fuel mileage could become a factor yet again, but generally speed will rule the day.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Kevin Harvick - $11,400
Kyle Busch - $10,600
Jimmie Johnson - $10,200
Matt Kenseth - $10,300
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Joey Logano - $9,700
Brad Keselowski - $9,600
Denny Hamlin - $9,500
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $8,800
Jeff Gordon - $8,400
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Kasey Kahne - $8,000
Jamie McMurray - $7,100
Ryan Newman - $7,000
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Tony Stewart - $6,800
Austin Dillon - $6,700
Aric Almirola - $6,500
Greg Biffle - $6,400
A.J. Allmendinger - $6,000
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Cash Game Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Kevin Harvick - $11,400
Jimmie Johnson - $10,200
Kasey Kahne - $8,000
Jamie McMurray - $7,100
Ryan Newman - $7,000
A.J. Allmendinger - $6,000
Harvick's price justifiably shot back to the top after last week's all-important victory. He led 26 laps at Charlotte in May and finished ninth. Alternatively, last week was a disaster for Johnson, and so was his visit to this track in May. He spun twice in that race due to an aggressive setup, but was inside the top 10 and moving forward before he fell out. They can be aggressive again this week with nothing to lose, but with the benefit of lessons learned. Kasey Kahne is one of the best drivers at Charlotte. He finished 12th in the Coca-Cola 600, but has an average finish of 8th from the last five races at the track. McMurray is a two-time Charlotte winner and picked up his third top-5 of 2015 last week, while Newman was a top-10 car here in May with Allmendinger rounding out the selections.
Higher-Risk Tournament Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Kyle Busch - $10,600
Martin Truex Jr. - $9,900
Carl Edwards - $9,300
Aric Almirola - $6,500
Greg Biffle - $6,400
David Ragan - $6,300
Busch struggled in the opening races of the Chase, but righted the ship with a runner-up finish last week to advance to the next round. He was 11th in the Coca-Cola 600, but has yet to win at Charlotte. The fastest car at this track in May was arguably Truex. He led 131 laps in that race, but finished fifth due to fuel mileage. Edwards won that mileage battle for his first win at JGR. Almirola continues to impress with another top-5 last week, but is still searching for his first Charlotte top-10. Biffle's best finish was in the Coca-Cola 600, which came a week after he won the Sprint Showdown. Lastly, David Ragan was fast enough to start inside the top 10 here in May, and is hoping to sign off from Michael Waltrip Racing on a high note.
