This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
Ford EcoBoost 400
Location: Homestead, Fla.
Course: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Format: 1.5-mile oval
Laps: 267
Race Preview
Hendrick Motorsports extended their run of victories last week in Phoenix with Dale Earnhardt Jr. making it to Victory Lane. The win was the organization's third in as many races with Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson also contributing trophies to the cause. After the teams dry off from the rain that dominated the storylines last week, they gear up for the championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Martin Truex Jr. remain eligible to win this seasons' Sprint Cup after Carl Edwards, Brad Keselowski, Kurt Busch, and Joey Logano were eliminated with Phoenix's finish. Every team will be working to end the season on a high note, though. The momentum they build can be carried into the offseason, which makes the winter downtime seem much shorter.
Key Stats at Homesetad-Miami Speedway
• Races: 16
• Winners from pole: 2
• Winners from top-5 starters: 9
• Winners from top-10 starters: 11
• Winners from 21st or lower starters: 2
• Fastest race: 142.245 mph
Last 10 Homestead Winners
2014 - Kevin Harvick
2013 - Denny Hamlin
2012 - Jeff Gordon
2011 - Tony Stewart
2010 - Carl Edwards
2009 - Denny Hamlin
2008 - Carl Edwards
2007 - Matt Kenseth
2006 - Greg Biffle
2005 - Greg Biffle
Homestead-Miami Speedway is one of NASCAR's intermediate tracks. It is a 1.5-mile oval that was reconfigured before 2003 to spice up the racing. The old configuration was flat and didn't invite passing, while the current configuration has progressive banking that allows drivers to search for an optimal line. Carl Edwards has the highest driver rating among active participants this weekend with a rating of 110.2. He has two Homestead wins, while Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart each have three. The series only comes to this circuit once a year, but teams were able to test at the track in August. The hot sun in south Florida can often mean slippery conditions that the teams will have to battle while watching their fuel mileage. Strategy can come into play at the 400-mile event, but the winner will likely come from one of the top 10 starting positions.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Kevin Harvick - $11,400
Kyle Busch - $10,600
Jimmie Johnson - $10,400
Matt Kenseth - $10,200
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Jeff Gordon - $9,700
Martin Truex Jr. - $9,600
Carl Edwards - $9,200
Denny Hamlin - $9,100
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $8,700
Kasey Kahne - $8,000
Jamie McMurray - $7,600
Austin Dillon - $7,100
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Ryan Newman - $6,900
Aric Almirola - $6,700
Paul Menard - $6,500
Danica Patrick - $6,000
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Jeff Gordon - $9,700
Carl Edwards - $9,200
Denny Hamlin - $9,100
Dale Earnhardt Jr. - $8,700
Ryan Newman - $6,900
Danica Patrick - $6,000
Jeff Gordon will battle for his fifth championship in his final race in Sprint Cup competition, and with no Homestead finish worse than 11th in his last four visits to the track he deserves to be in this week's lineup. Edwards has been one of the best at Homestead in recent history, and Hamlin has three top-10s and a win in the last four races here. Last week's winner Earnhardt has not finished outside of the top-15 at Miami in his last four tries, making him a confident selection as well. Newman has been improving his Miami resume in recent seasons taking two top-5 finishes from the last three races there, and Patrick should deliver a top-20 as well to round out the lower-risk lineup.
Higher-Risk Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Kyle Busch - $10,600
Jimmie Johnson - $10,400
Martin Truex Jr. - $9,600
Greg Biffle - $6,400
Tony Stewart - $6,400
A.J. Allmendinger - $6,200
Kyle Busch leads the higher-risk lineup for Homestead as he seeks his first Sprint Cup. He has been one of the higher scoring drivers in the last five races at the track under the DraftKings points scheme. Johnson may not have the greatest reputation at Homestead, but he has three top-10s there in his last five tries. Another Chase contender in this selection is Truex, who has had a very nice homestead career with three top-10s in the last five races there. Biffle and Stewart both have strong Homestead histories, but have struggled this season. Each will be working to end the season on a high note. Lastly, Allmendinger crashed out in Miami last season but boasts four top-15 finishes at the track from his six outings.
