“Through the Field” is a seasonal column by Elliot Hicks. It follows the NASCAR season and provides broad driver analysis to support Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and NASCAR betting. Elliot is in his fourth season writing the column and sharing his perspective on life with the In-Between Media (IBT) community. In this edition, he analyzes a return to predictability and his favorite plays for the Würth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway and beyond.
One of the defining characteristics of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season so far has been the chaos that has unfolded as the season has kicked off.
We’ve gotten a pair of superspeedways with lots of carnage out of the way, as well as tight short tracks and a windy road course.
But as the spring kicks into full gear and we’re edging ever closer to the summertime, the schedule is about to take an easier and generally much more predictable run. Looking ahead to the next five weeks, expect the chaos to die down and things to become much more par for the course, at least based on the history of these events.
These next five points races occur at Dover, Kansas, Darlington, Charlotte and St. Louis/Gateway, with the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro sandwiched in before Charlotte’s Coca-Cola 600.
These events generally reflect the season’s talent and can kickstart a summer hot streak. The expected lack of chaos also makes settling in with good bets much easier. Hopefully, this increases your net units for the year, which may not be in great shape after chaotic races in the season’s early segments.
Here are some drivers to watch ahead of this stretch:
(Prices courtesy of DraftKings)
Drivers Looking Good Ahead of the Würth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway:
Kevin Harvick (9,300): The wily veteran has been a model of consistency in his final season in Cup, finishing in the top-13 in seven of 10 races. Though he’s been outside the top 20 in the last two races at Martinsville and Talladega, Harvick has had success at the tracks to come (just as he has basically everywhere at this point).
Kyle Busch ($9,600) It’s been a hot-and-cold start to life at Richard Childress Racing (RCR) for Kyle Busch. But after his second win of the season at Talladega, I foresee the start of another hot streak for Busch coming up,s starting here at Dover Motor Speedway.
Josh Berry (7,500): Josh Berry is back in the Cup Series for the foreseeable future as an injury substitute for Alex Bowman. He could be a good low-cost DFS pickup. He is also likely to be overlooked in the odds despite another stint in some of the best equipment in the business, well-deserved after his run in the No. 9.
Thanks for reading. For more fantasy NASCAR and life advice, follow me on Twitter, @EHicks39, or check out more of my work at Elliot-Hicks.com.