DraftKings NASCAR picks for Las Vegas

I’m playing DraftKings this season and will be posting my picks here each week. Disclosure: If you want to play and sign up using this link, DraftKings will give my website a commission.

Last week’s results: Played the $1 entry “Happy Hour” $20,000 payout game and finished around 15,600th out of 23,500. Won $0.

Season results: $1 wagered, $0 won in two contests.

This week’s contest: Welp…I was going to play a $3 contest, but it wouldn’t allow me to do that since I’m in Nevada (and DraftKings isn’t allowed here). So I’m playing a free contest where I can’t win any money. Edit: Still playing a free contest, but @Kid67y told me about one that has prize money. Link is here if you’re in my situation.

My picks for Las Vegas ($50,000 salary cap):

— Kevin Harvick ($10,700). He’s my pick to win after dominating Atlanta and starts 19th — giving him a high ceiling for positions differential.

 — Brad Keselowski ($10,400). You all gave me feedback last week that said I needed a “dominator” in my lineup — and you were right. That would have been Harvick. I think it could be Keselowski this time, so he’s in.

— Ryan Newman ($7,800). Newman starts 21st but was 10th-fastest in 10-lap average for final practice, so I like his chances of being able to move up for a top-15 finish.

— Ryan Blaney ($7,400). What’s not to like here? Starts third, fastest in 10-lap average for final practice and a good value overall. Yes, please.

— Erik Jones ($7,100). The rookie was the class of the Toyotas last week before fading at the end. After qualifying eighth and finishing 12th in 10-lap average for final practice, he could have another good run — and is pretty cheap, to boot.

— Ty Dillon ($6,500). I needed a value pick to make this lineup work. The Richard Childress Racing-related cars haven’t looked as fast as they did at Atlanta, but he starts 24th and might be able to improve on that.