Stockcar racing’s premiere series takes on Texas for the fourth race of the playoffs. Make the most of the 2023 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 with our NASCAR DFS picks and tiers.
We reveal our “Tire Tiers” and betting cards live every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. EST on our YouTube series, “The Backroad.” Be sure to tune in, enjoy the race and reach out if you have any questions.
(DFS prices are courtesy of DraftKings and Fantrax)
NASCAR DFS Picks, Tiers & Rankings: 2023 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400
Driver As | Fast Thoughts
It’s hard to go against Denny Hamlin right now, despite him being the most expensive driver on Fantrax ($27.55) and second-most on DraftKings ($11,000). In the last 16 races, the No. 11 has not been top-six in the total speed rankings just three times (courtesy of ifantasyrace.com). Those tracks were Daytona, Indianapolis Road Course and Chicago Street Course.
Kyle Busch is the active leader in wins (four), T5s (14) and laps led (1,069) at Texas. His No. 8 car, manned by Tyler Reddick last year, was sensational, winning the race, leading the most laps (70) and ranking second in average position (9.3). With the history of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), I believe that off-the-truck speed will transfer to Busch this week. He should be a staple in most NASCAR DFS lineups this weekend.
Driver Bs | Fast Thoughts
Brad Keselowski qualified on the pole here a year ago and finished eighth. He and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK) teammate Chris Buescher are NASCAR DFS values once again back below $9,000 on DraftKings. Bubba Wallace’s history at Texas isn’t great, but he ranks eight in the average total speed rankings across this week’s comp tracks (Las Vegas, Kansas I, Charlotte, Kansas II). He remains a leverage play, pricing as the cheapest playoff driver ($20.01) on Fantrax and the second cheapest on DraftKings (8,600).
Driver Cs | Fast Thoughts
Austin Dillon won at Texas in 2020. He has finished T20 in all five races here since, including a P2 last spring in the All_Star Race. If he isn’t my favorite Tier-3 driver, it’s Ross Chastain. I don’t expect a T10 from the No. 1 car. However, he had the 11th-best total speed ranking last year and finished 13th. That aligns with his average total speed ranking of 13th across all comps this season. I expect a similar finish from Chastain in the low teens.
Driver Ds | Fast Thoughts
Michael McDowell continues to surprise, as he finished sixth at Bristol. His eighth-fastest speed late in a run at Texas last year willed him to a P11. He remains a NASCAR DFS leverage play, going for $6,300 on DraftKings and $18.32 on Fantrax. Justin Haley finished third in this race last season and ranks 21st in the average total speed rankings at our 2023 comp tracks. Carson Hocevar continues to improve, finishing P11 at Bristol last week. He will again be worth the $5.00 minimum on Fantrax.
Driver Fs | Fast Thoughts
Chase Briscoe is a mixed bag this week. The No. 14 car finished fifth at Texas last season. However, he has the caveat of ranking 30th in the average total speed rankings at 2023 comp tracks. He has high upside but a low floor. If you need a dart throw, consider JJ Yeley for $5,000 on DraftKings and $7.68 on Fantrax. Cycling through Rick Ware Racing (RWR) rides this season, the 46-year-old averages an impressive 23.3 NASCAR DFS points per race.
Thanks for reading our NASCAR DFS picks and tiers for the 2023 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. Check out more of our racing content and other written work here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.
*Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports*