Fantasy Sleepers and Value Picks – Auto Club Speedway (Auto Club 400)

Kasey Kahne has one win, four Top-5's and 10
Top-10's at Auto Club. 

Sleepers:

Kasey Kahne: Kasey Kahne remains a quality sleeper play and one owners should consider starting at Auto Club Speedway. Kahne has an average place differential of +7.2 and owns an average finish of 10.8 this season. He is currently 14th in fantasy points averaged over his last three starts. In 20 starts at Auto Club, Kahne has a bit of a mixed bag with one win, four top fives and 10 top 10s. He’s led 268 laps there and owns an average Auto Club finish of 16.6. Consider him a safe sleeper play with potentially high upside.

Jamie McMurray: From a #FantasyNASCAR perspective, Jamie McMurray has had a productive start to the season. He currently ranks 13th in fantasy points averaged over his last three races. In those three races, McMurray has finishes of 15th (Phoenix), eighth (Las Vegas) and 10th (Atlanta). In 21 starts at Auto Club, McMurray has been sleeper worthy, especially as of late. In his last three races there, he has two top 10s. McMurray owns an average finish of 17.0 at Auto Club, with a place differential of +2.8.

Erik Jones: Erik Jones is who we thought he was... Good. Jones has been producing as of late and has three-consecutive top-15 finishes, including an eighth-place finish last week at Phoenix. He’s risen all the way to 16th in fantasy points averaged over his last three races. Jones remains a quality sleeper play as he has the ability to get to the front whether qualifying high or not. He still owns an average finish of 19.0 on the season, but he also finished 39th at Daytona. As long as his price remains this low, Jones is considered a strong buy.

Kurt Busch: A driver to keep a sleeping eye open for is Kurt Busch. In 23 starts at Auto Club, he has one win, seven top fives and 12 top 10s. He owns an average finish of 12.3, with an average place differential of +2.6 in Fontana. Busch has run 54.4% of his laps in the top 15 and since 2005, owns a driver rating of 90.0 – good for seventh among active drivers. Even though he’s struggled in his last two races, his price and potential production make Busch a sleeping giant this week.

Value Plays:

Paul Menard: Paul Menard has quietly been a stout value play this season. In his four races, he’s finished top- 25 or better in each. He currently owns an average finish of 17.5, with an average place differential of +3. Though Menard is on the higher end salary-wise of a value pick, he is worth it at Auto Club. He has eight- consecutive top 25s at Fontana, including three of his last four being top 10s or better. He’s run 26.3% of his laps in the top 15 at Auto Club and owns an average finish of 20.2. Menard has the ability to rake in the place differential category depending on where he qualifies. Consider him an elite value play.

Ty Dillon: Through four races this season, Ty Dillon has been a very safe value play. The positive thing is he is priced as one and adds good value in high-dollar-starter lineups. He’s scored top-25 or better in each of his last three races. He currently owns an average finish of 20.5 and has led two laps this season. Dillon currently is ranked 21st in fantasy points averaged over his last three races. He makes an above average value pick as he has the potential to gain a lot of points in place differential.

Landon Cassill: This season, Landon Cassill has proved to be a bit of a point differential specialist. This season, Cassill is averaging a positive place differential of +4.3. In seven starts at Auto Club, he possesses an average place differential of +7.4. In this race last season, Cassill started 34th and finished 16th. That’s considered a mover and a shaker. Cassill makes a great plug and play based on these place differential numbers alone.

David Ragan: If you’re looking for a solid value buy this week at Auto Club, David Ragan is your driver. His price remains extremely affordable and he’s produced at Auto Club. In 14-career starts there, Ragan has one top 10 and has 11 top 25s. He owns an average finish of 19.9, with an average place differential of +5.9. He’s led three laps at Auto Club and has run 20.8% of his laps in the top 15. He’s also had 11 fastest laps at Auto Club. Ragan is a solid buy at his current value price and has a good opportunity to exceed bang for your buck.