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NASCAR Cup Series: Fantasy picks for the 2018 KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas

By Tyler Callaway

KANSAS CITY, KS - MAY 11: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 AAA Insurance Ford, helps crew members push his car in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KS - MAY 11: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 AAA Insurance Ford, helps crew members push his car in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /
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Find out who you should run with and avoid this weekend as NASCAR heads into Kansas for the Mother’s Day weekend brawl under the lights.

NASCAR heads into Kansas with a lot of storylines, but the biggest storyline has to be the return of Matt Kenseth and his reunion with Roush Fenway Racing. While many fantasy players will be tempted to use Kenseth, I’d advise against it.

Kenseth will take a while to get back into the swing of things, especially with a team he’s unfamiliar with, at least in recent years. Not only that, but the proof is in the speed results. His practice results were disappointing, and he didn’t even make a qualifying run. Give it some time before you include him in any lineups.

I’m also going to take a different strategy than in weeks past. I’m tempted to plug Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch into every lineup, but instead let’s see about scoring with some of the underdogs.

Big Money Drivers:

  1. Kevin Harvick: $11,700
  2. Kyle Busch: $11,200
  3. Joey Logano: $9,900
  4. Brad Keselowski: $9,700
  5. Denny Hamlin: $9,500

Best Bargain Drivers:

  1. Ryan Blaney: $8,800
  2. Aric Almirola: $8,600
  3. Clint Bowyer: $9,000
  4. Kurt Busch: $8,400
  5. Erik Jones: $8,100

Best Lineup fillers:

  1. Daniel Suarez: $6,800
  2. Chris Buescher: $5,800
  3. William Byron: $6,600
  4. A.J. Allmendinger: $6,500
  5. David Ragan: $6,000

Best Lineup:

  1. Joey Logano: $9,900
  2. Brad Keselowski: $9,700
  3. Ryan Blaney: $8,800
  4. Clint Bowyer: $9,000
  5. Daniel Suarez: $6,800
  6. Chris Buescher: $5,800

Joey Logano: Two weeks removed from his rejuvenating win at Talladega, Logano is looking fast and I think grouping him with all of his Team Penske teammates could be the best way to go this weekend.

Brad Keselowski: Keselowki is primed for his first win of the season and I think there is a good chance it comes this weekend. It’s only a matter of time until he throws his name into the ring with the rest of the championship hopefuls.

Ryan Blaney: To finish the Team Penske lineup, Blaney has to be one of the most consistent young guns all year. With a second place qualifying effort, it looks like he could be in store for another strong showing on a 1.5-mile oval. He could sneak away with his first win of the season as well.

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Clint Bowyer: Hometown track, motivation, and a fast car — all are a perfect combination for another strong showing from Bowyer. After some pesky penalties, the #14 team may be looking for some redemption in the form of a win, and I’d be shocked with anything less than a top 10 finish.

Daniel Suarez: Coming off a career-best finish at Dover, Suarez has a fast race car this weekend. He is a sleeper to keep your eye on and has great value at $6,800. If he can carry his momentum through into the race, then we should see a fourth straight top 10 finish from him.

Chris Buescher: In the first practice, Buescher finished with the eighth best time and followed that up with a 10th place qualifying effort. JTG Daugherty Racing may not be consistent, but when their cars are running smoothly, Buescher is a talented driver and can get the best out of them. He easily has the best value in the draft pool.

Next: Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time

Don’t forget to set your lineups by 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 12th on DraftKings.

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