This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
Chevrolet Silverado 250
Location: Talladega, Ala.
Course: Talladega Superspeedway
Format: 2.66-mile tri-oval
Laps: 94
Race Preview
Christian Eckes added his name to the 2021 list of winners last week at Las Vegas, making it back to back races producing first-time winners. His win blocked the playoff drivers from clinching a spot in the championship final, and now the championship field will be hoping luck is on their side this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway with a chance to race for the championship on the line. The 15 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races held at Talladega have produced 10 different winners, but none of the Talladega visits in the playoffs have been won by a playoff driver. The eight contenders this season will be hoping to change that trend Saturday. Only Ben Rhodes, John Hunter Nemechek and Stewart Friesen would be able to lock up a spot in the final four without winning this week, but every playoff driver's best chance to earn a shot at the title is to win on Saturday.
Key Stats at Talladega Superspeedway
- Number of races: 15
- Winners from pole: 3
- Winners from top-5 starters: 5
- Winners from top-10 starters: 9
- Winners from 21st or lower starters: 3
- Fastest race: 145.513 mph
Previous 10 Talladega Winners
2020 - Raphael Lessard
2019 - Spencer Boyd
2018 - Timothy Peters
2017 - Parker Kligerman
2016 - Grant Enfinger
2015 - Timothy Peters
2014 - Timothy Peters
2013 - Johnny Sauter
2012 - Parker Kligerman
2011 - Mike Wallace
Racing at Talladega is all about speed and drafting. Drivers who know how to race in the pack and take advantage of runs on the machines ahead will find success. Track position isn't nearly as big of a factor as it is at other tracks. The Truck Series race has been won by someone starting lower than 20th three times, and three of the last four races have been won by someone starting outside of the top 10. Drivers this week will face a decision to race for stage points and risk getting caught in a crash, or staying at the back of the pack to ensure they survive long enough to race for the win. Having a partner to draft with is also imperative. Trucks will come to pit road in groups if forced to pit under green, and manufacturers may stick with one another to make sure no one loses the draft after stops, and the trucks make it back up to race speed as quickly as possible. The main aim for drivers this Saturday will be to avoid the crashes in order to race the final miles to the finish.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Parker Kligerman - $10,900
Tyler Ankrum - $10,500
Jordan Anderson - $10,100
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Johnny Sauter - $9,900
Sheldon Creed - $9,500
John Hunter Nemechek - $9,300
Grant Enfinger - $9,100
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Zane Smith - $8,900
Hailie Deegan - $8,600
Austin Hill - $8,500
Todd Gilliland - $8,400
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Matt Crafton - $7,900
Stewart Friesen - $7,500
Ben Rhodes - $7,200
Ryan Truex - $5,500
My Picks
Johnny Sauter - $9,900
Zane Smith - $8,900
Todd Gilliland - $8,400
Matt Crafton - $7,900
Carson Hocevar - $7,700
Ben Rhodes - $7,200
Johnny Sauter is still lacking a 2021 win. He is a previous winner at Talladega in 2013 and led laps in the last four Talladega races. This could be the week he gets his first win of the season starting 11th. Zane Smith crashed out of last year's visit to this track, but he did finish 16th at Daytona back in February. He will line up eighth Saturday, which could be a springboard to a top-10 finish. Todd Gilliland has three top-fives and four top-10s from the last five races heading into this week. He has three prior Talladega starts under his belt with a best finish of second in 2019. If he can avoid trouble this week he should be in store for another top finish. Another driver looking for his first win of the season is Matt Crafton. He hasn't won at Talladega either, but three of his six top-10s at the track have come in the last four races. He may also lead some early laps with the third starting spot. Carson Hocevar hasn't made a series start at this track but he did finish fifth at Daytona earlier this year. He starts sixth on Saturday and will be looking for his fourth top-10 in the last six races, too. Finally, playoff contender Ben Rhodes comes at a discount this week due to his top starting spot. He only has one top-five from five Talladega starts, which came in this race last season. An extra incentive to include him in rosters this week is the high likelihood of him leading laps.
