We’re rolling right along with this 2021 NASCAR Fantasy season, as race #13 is this weekend at Dover International Speedway. The end of race #13 also signifies the end of the Spring Segment here in the Slingshot Fantasy Auto Contest, as well as the time of the season where we typically see a bit of shift in the speed comparisons among the race cars. With that being said, Martin Truex, Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson have been the fastest cars all season long, and they’re all starting inside the top 4 here on Sunday, so don’t be surprised if they’re the ones that are up front all day once again. You can click here to see the starting lineup for Sunday’s Drydene 400, now let’s get to the picks!
*Please note: the picks and suggestions below are my opinions and strategy for the Slingshot Fantasy Auto Contest. These are not meant to sway your thinking in any way, but rather give you insight into the drivers I am most likely to pick on race day.*
The Algorithm Predicted Finishing Order for Sunday’s race at Dover can be found by clicking here! Also, if you enjoy the FREE NASCAR content on this site and everything it has to offer, consider supporting by donating here.
Jordan’s Strategy Breakdown Video
(Hit Play Button To Watch & Click Here to Subscribe to My Channel on YouTube)
Slingshot Fantasy Auto Contest Picks for Dover
The Safe
Kyle Larson ($12,400) – You know the drill by now. If he was good in Ganassi equipment, he’ll be great in Hendrick equipment, and the last time Kyle Larson raced a Cup Series car at Dover International Speedway, he went to victory lane after leading 154 laps. Somehow, this #5 team only has one win on the year thus far, but don’t be surprised if Larson picks up a second one here on Sunday. His career average finish of 7.4 at Dover is the best among all active Cup Series drivers and Larson’s six top 5 finishes here is tied with Denny Hamlin for 7th-best (even though Hamlin has 18 additional starts here over Larson).
Martin Truex, Jr. ($12,300) – I’d welcome anyone to make a case against picking Martin Truex, Jr. this weekend because I can’t find anything. Here at Dover, MTJ has finished 1st or 2nd in each of the last four races, and 4th or better in eight of the last nine. In the 750 hp package races this season, Truex won at Phoenix, won at Martinsville, led 100+ laps and finished top 5 at Richmond, and then dominated last week at Darlington. Oh and did I mention he’s starting on the pole and has the best pit stall this weekend? Do I really like picking pole sitters in the Slingshot Fantasy Auto Contest? No. Is Truex a major exception? Yes.
Chase Elliott ($11,800) – As mentioned in the Slingshot video (embedded above), I really like this mid-$11,000 Slingshot price range this weekend at Dover, especially Chase Elliott. The #9 Chevrolet is going to roll off the grid from 8th when we get going here on Sunday, and the good news there is that there is a little bit of place differential potential there. Chase has seven top 5 finishes in ten career starts at “The Monster Mile” and that includes a win here back in 2018. Look for Elliott to challenge for another top 5 this weekend and also grab some Stage points along the way.
The Risky
Alex Bowman ($10,800) – Another week, another disappointing effort out of Alex Bowman at Darlington. Somehow this guy has gotten even more “roller coaster-esque” in 2021. But, as usual, Bowman has upside here at Dover this weekend since he starts back in 16th and could pick up a good amount of place differential points. Additionally, AB has three top 5 finishes in his last four starts here at “The Monster Mile.” Want the bad news now? All seven of Bowman’s other Cup Series starts here have ended with him in 21st or worst.
Aric Almirola ($9,800) – There could be a lot of place differential points up for grabs this weekend with guys like Aric Almirola, Kurt Busch ($9,600), and Cole Custer ($8,400) starting so far back, but we should all know by now that they’re risky. As far as Almirola goes, he starts the furthest back (32nd) so he provides the most upside. If you’re looking for a reason to pick him, I will note that AA has seemed to run better in the 750 hp package races this season, but that’s still relatively speaking. He still has an average finish of 24.4 this season so…
Daniel Suarez ($7,000) – The #99 Chevrolet will start from 24th here at Dover on Sunday, and while I do wish that Suarez started a couple spots further back, he still has mid-teens potential and is my favorite of the lower-priced drivers in the Slingshot Fantasy Auto Contest. The thing, Suarez was actually pretty good here at Dover when he was in solid equipment, as he grabbed four top 10s and had no result worse than 14th in his first six starts here. This Trackhouse car is basically a satellite Richard Childress Racing car and the RCR boys were sporty here at Dover last season, for what that’s worth. Austin Dillon even led 49 laps and had the 10th-best driver rating in the first race here last season.
The Winner
“Race Winner” Pick = Martin Truex, Jr. – See notes above.
