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Track position is going to be important once again this weekend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean where you start. Since qualifying was cancelled, the 2016 Bojangles’ Southern 500 lineup was set by owners points, and there are a few cars that start mid-pack who will need to use some strategy to try and get to the front. We are very confident in three drivers tonight: Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and Greg Biffle. Now the key is just going to be putting the right pieces around them to have the best possible roster. Doing that will require choosing which high-dollar driver will lead a handful of laps, and there could be a few.

Posts to Read: Drivers to Target at Darlington — Drivers to Avoid at Darlington

As usual, we may add a few more lineups throughout the day.

Lineup #1

Sometimes you just put together a roster and it all makes sense. This is the first lineup that we made on Saturday and it is still our favorite now on race day. We’re going after the place differential FPTS with Kahne, Biffle, and Buescher while hoping for high finishes and lots of laps led and fastest laps out of Truex, Hamlin, and Johnson. Kahne and Truex are both kind of risky plays this weekend but if the bad luck can stay away from the #78 team for just one week, we should be good with this one.

[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27190″ custompost_name=”Martin Truex, Jr.” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27190″ custompost_name=”Martin Truex, Jr.” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27392″ custompost_name=”Chris Buescher” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27392″ custompost_name=”Chris Buescher” element=”skillsets”]

Lineup #2

This lineup is essentially the same as Lineup #1 except we’re going with Kyle Larson instead of Martin Truex, Jr. The former has a little more room for place differential FPTS this weekend but Truex probably has a better car. You never really know how good (or bad) Larson is going to get as a race goes on, though, and with how that #42 team is running right now, they could very well be a serious contender for the second week in a row.

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[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26760″ custompost_name=”Kyle Larson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26760″ custompost_name=”Kyle Larson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27392″ custompost_name=”Chris Buescher” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27392″ custompost_name=”Chris Buescher” element=”skillsets”]

Lineup #3

In order for this Lineup to work out, Brad Keselowski is going to have to lead some laps at the start of the race. He’s going to start 2nd in this year’s Southern 500, but the problem is he will have to get around pole sitter Kevin Harvick to get the lead. However, the #2 Ford was the fastest in Happy Hour on Saturday, so it’s possible. Keselowski also had the best car in last year’s race here at Darlington. To make this work, we’re going to have to go with Regan Smith over Chris Buescher, and while the latter has a lot higher potential this weekend, Smith has a great record here at Darlington and could finish mid-20s with a little luck.

[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26758″ custompost_name=”Brad Keselowski” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26758″ custompost_name=”Brad Keselowski” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27194″ custompost_name=”Regan Smith” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27194″ custompost_name=”Regan Smith” element=”skillsets”]

Lineup #4

Lineup #4 is a combination of #1 and #2, although we had to make a little sacrifice here–Brian Scott. However, if that #44 team can have a run similar to what they have been achieving lately, this Lineup could really knock it out of the park. Scott has scored 30+ FPTS in two of the last four Sprint Cup races overall, and because he’s going to start from 34th for Sunday night’s Southern 500, that means he’s going to have to end up 24th in order to score that many FPTS. That’s probably not going to happen, but you never know.

[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27190″ custompost_name=”Martin Truex, Jr.” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27190″ custompost_name=”Martin Truex, Jr.” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26760″ custompost_name=”Kyle Larson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26760″ custompost_name=”Kyle Larson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27402″ custompost_name=”Brian Scott” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27402″ custompost_name=”Brian Scott” element=”skillsets”]

Lineup #5

Carl Edwards is the defending winner of this race, and if he can get some track position here on Sunday night, we think he has a chance to lead quite a few laps–which is what we need if we’re going to pick him. The thing is, Carl hasn’t really led a whole lot of laps here at Darlington (109 total laps over twelve starts). As far as Chase Elliott goes, he’s starting to get some momentum now and the #24 team is running really well as of late. The rule of thumb is to avoid rookies at “The Track Too Tough to Tame,” but Chase Elliott isn’t your typical rookie. He also isn’t locked into the Chase so he needs to have a good race tonight. The #24 Chevrolet had potential top 10 speed in both practice sessions on Saturday.

[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27188″ custompost_name=”Carl Edwards” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27188″ custompost_name=”Carl Edwards” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26764″ custompost_name=”Chase Elliott” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26764″ custompost_name=”Chase Elliott” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27194″ custompost_name=”Regan Smith” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27194″ custompost_name=”Regan Smith” element=”skillsets”]

Lineup #6

ADDED AT 11:25 am. Kevin Harvick wasn’t too speedy during Happy Hour on Saturday, but that shouldn’t scare people away from picking him this weekend. He’s on a three-race streak of top 5 finishes here at Darlington and has a very good chance to make it four in a row here tonight. With that being said, most of the time it doesn’t work out when you put the pole sitter on your DraftKings team, but if Harvick can lead 80+ laps tonight, he will be worth it. If you’re not liking Kahne and Smith, you could do this same lineup but with Buescher and Bayne.

[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26845″ custompost_name=”Kevin Harvick” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26845″ custompost_name=”Kevin Harvick” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26864″ custompost_name=”Greg Biffle” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27194″ custompost_name=”Regan Smith” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27194″ custompost_name=”Regan Smith” element=”skillsets”]

Lineup #7

ADDED AT 4:30 pm. This is our final roster of the day. We’re very confident in Greg Biffle but he’s not as much of a rock-solid pick as Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson, so we’ve put together a Lineup without him. On this one, we’re targeting place differential FPTS with Larson, Stewart, Kahne, and Buescher. The only question mark (as far as speed to move up) is Tony Stewart, who had a rough couple of practices here on Saturday. He’s pretty good at Darlington, though, so we have hope.

[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26851″ custompost_name=”Denny Hamlin” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26849″ custompost_name=”Jimmie Johnson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26760″ custompost_name=”Kyle Larson” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26760″ custompost_name=”Kyle Larson” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26856″ custompost_name=”Tony Stewart” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”26856″ custompost_name=”Tony Stewart” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27386″ custompost_name=”Kasey Kahne” element=”skillsets”]
[TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27392″ custompost_name=”Chris Buescher” style=”style3″ show_grayscale=”false” show_effects=”false” show_lightbox=”false”][TS_VCSC_Team_Page_Elements team_member=”27392″ custompost_name=”Chris Buescher” element=”skillsets”]

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Jordan McAbee
As someone who has always been obsessed with numbers, Fantasy NASCAR has been the perfect fit with me. I pride myself on the quality of my analysis for each race, and am glad that I have been able to help others along the way. I've been a serious Fantasy NASCAR player for over 10 years now, and I'm just getting started.

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