This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt
Location: Bristol, Tenn.
Course: Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt
Format: 0.5-mile dirt oval
Laps: 150
Race Preview
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to dirt racing this week after missing out on their annual trip to Eldora Speedway in the 2020 season. The Trucks have been racing annually on the surface since 2013, and 2021 will have two dirt tracks on the schedule. Of the past seven Eldora race winners, five will attempt this weekend's dirt foray at Bristol. Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, Matt Crafton, and Stewart Friesen will all be trying their hand to get another series win on dirt. Multiple NASCAR Cup Series drivers will also try to gain experience through the Trucks ahead of their race on Sunday. Kevin Harvick, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr. will join Larson and Wallace in getting some extra experience before Sunday. The question this week is whether anyone will be able to catch points leader John Hunter Nemechek, who holds a 47-point lead over Ben Rhodes, who has two wins so far this season.
Key Stats at Bristol Motor Speedway
- Number of races: 23
- Winners from pole: 6
- Winners from top-5 starters: 16
- Winners from top-10 starters: 20
- Winners from 21st or lower starters: 0
- Fastest race: 91.919 mph
Previous 10 Bristol Winners
2020 - Sam Mayer
2019 - Brett Moffitt
2018 - Johnny Sauter
2017 - Kyle Busch
2016 - Ben Kennedy
2015 - Ryan Blaney
2014 - Brad Keselowski
2013 - Kyle Busch
2012 - Timothy Peters
2011 - Kevin Harvick
Unlike most other races this season, practice and qualifying heats will give fantasy players a chance to see which drivers might make good roster selections for Saturday's race. There are 22 drivers who have series experience at Eldora, and two drivers have previously won ARCA races on dirt. Forty-four drivers are entered, but only 40 spots are available. Four 15-lap heat races will take place Saturday to set the field, and only green-flag laps will count. Drivers will attempt to make the feature race by making passes and finishing as high as possible. The drivers with the most points from their respective heat race will advance to the 40-car field for the 150-lap feature event.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Kyle Larson - $11,500
Chase Briscoe - $11,000
Stewart Friesen - $10,500
Sheldon Creed - $10,000
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Bubba Wallace - $9,700
Ryan Newman - $9,500
Kevin Harvick - $9,300
Martin Truex Jr. - $9,100
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
John Hunter Nemechek - $8,900
Austin Hill - $8,700
Matt Crafton - $8,600
Brett Moffitt - $8,400
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Ben Rhodes - $8,300
Johnny Sauter - $7,300
Ryan Truex - $5,100
Tate Fogleman - $4,500
My Picks
Kyle Larson - $11,500
Stewart Friesen - $10,500
Bubba Wallace - $9,700
Johnny Sauter - $7,300
Carson Hocevar - $5,800
Ryan Truex - $5,100
Larson may be the best driver on dirt right now. While he was suspended from Cup Series competition last season, he used the time to amass more than 40 victories on dirt in an impressive season on the surface. He last raced in the Trucks in 2016 when he won at Eldora in one of his three series starts that season. Stewart Friesen won the last time the series raced at Eldora. He has two top-10 finishes so far this season and will also drive the Cup Series race this week. Wallace is another series winner on dirt. He took his Eldora win in 2014. He'll use Saturday's event as a way to gain more seat time ahead of Sunday's Cup race. Johnny Sauter currently sits seventh in the championship standings. He has seven series starts at Eldora with a best finish of eighth in 2014. Carson Hocevar will be honoring Bryan Clauson with his paint scheme this week. He finished 25th in his only series Eldora start. Rounding out this week's special lineup is Ryan Truex. The Chevrolet driver made his most recent dirt start in 2017 at Eldora and finished 20th. He is currently 15th in the standings with a best finish of fourth earlier this season at Daytona.
