This article is part of our NASCAR DFS series.
ToyotaCare 250
Location: Richmond, Va.
Course: Richmond International Raceway
Format: 0.75-mile D-shaved oval
Laps: 250
Race Preview
The NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series shifts gears to short-track racing at Richmond International Raceway for the first time since 2005 in this weekend's ToyotaCare 250. The stakes couldn't be much higher either since this week's race will set the playoff field. This will also be the first time the series has visited a short-track in 2020 after the schedule was revamped due to the pandemic. Ben Rhodes won at Darlington a week ago to punch his ticket into the knockout rounds, and three spots remain up for grabs. Todd Gilliland and Derek Kraus straddle the cutoff line with 10 points separating the pair. Fantasy players should expect a tooth and nail fight to the finish where every point on offer could make the difference Thursday night.
Key Stats at Richmond International Raceway
- Number of races: 11
- Winners from pole: 1
- Winners from top-5 starters: 7
- Winners from top-10 starters: 9
- Winners from 21st or lower starters: 2
- Fastest race: 104.227 mph
Previous 10 Richmond Winners
2005 - Mike Skinner
2004 - Ted Musgrave
2003 - Tony Stewart
2002 - Tony Stewart
2001 - Jack Sprague
2000 - Rick Carelli
1999 - Greg Biffle
1998 - Jack Sprague
1997 - Bob Keselowski
1996 - Mike Skinner
Short-track racing can be heavily dependent on track position. However, at Richmond, four-tire stops may give drivers the grip needed to make passes and move forward. Richmond's wide and flat turns offer ample opportunity to change grooves to make passes. Its short distance also restricts teams from going off strategy, since pitting under green means losing laps to those who stay out front. Teams will take advantage of caution periods to pit and gain track position, which could set up a sprint to the finish by those teams that have avoided mistakes throughout the race distance.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Sheldon Creed - $11,500
Johnny Sauter - $11,200
Austin Hill - $10,800
David Ragan - $10,400
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Chandler Smith - $9,800
Brett Moffitt - $9,600
Matt Crafton - $9,400
Todd Gilliland - $9,200
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Ben Rhodes - $8,600
Derek Kraus - $8,500
Grant Enfinger - $8,300
Stewart Friesen - $8,100
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Trevor Bayne - $7,900
Tyler Ankrum - $7,800
Raphael Lessard - $7,600
Austin Wayne Self - $7,100
My Picks
Sheldon Creed - $11,500
Zane Smith - $9,000
Ben Rhodes - $8,600
Raphael Lessard - $7,600
Austin Wayne Self - $7,100
Jordan Anderson - $6,100
Sheldon Creed will start Thursday night's race 12th after picking up a penalty for speed on pit road in last week's race and missing out on a chance to win despite leading 82 laps. Fantasy players can expect him to be a top-five contender with the advantage of extra points for finish differential. Zane Smith finished 16th last week but has two wins from the last five races. He has found his stride just in time for the playoffs and starts inside the top 10 Thursday. Ben Rhodes was the beneficiary of Creed's mistake last week and took his first win of the season. He has been a reliable top-10 contender for fantasy players every race so far this season, and that isn't expected to change this week. Raphael Lessard has a bit of work to do to get into the playoffs, but a win would guarantee that spot for him. He starts Thursday night's race from seventh and has delivered four top-10 finishes in the last five races. Austin Wayne Self may not be a playoff contender, but he does have the potential to deliver top-20 finishes. He starts 17th in Thursday's race, and that could give him the platform from which to mount a top-15 charge. Finally, Jordan Anderson is another driver with top-two potential that should hit fantasy radars. He starts 23rd Thursday night and has had five top-20s so far this season.
