atlanta cup

Running short on time, but wanted to post some quick notes to help you build a strong cash game lineup for Sunday's race --

• I just can't see going against Kevin Harvick at Atlanta. When you look back at the last six races here, Harvick has scored the most points for laps led and fastest laps five times. That's right -- in 5 of the last 6 races, Harvick has been the top dominator. I know his performance has not been up to his championship standards this season, but if there's any place this team will get back to that level, it's here at Atlanta. I'm back in.
• I also can't see going against Kyle Larson with the speed he's showing at all different tracks in all different packages. Larson was great in this high downforce, low horse power package at Las Vegas. He was great in the short track package at Phoenix. He was great in the road course package at Daytona. Simply put, he has the most speed of anyone in the series right now, so I feel pretty confident he's going to show that top speed for at least part of this 500 mile race.
• The salary savers are terrible. Honestly, from $7k down on Draft Kings, there is no one I want to play. But you likely have to use at least one from down in this range, so I'm probably just going to go as cheap as I can stomach with a guy like Anthony Alfredo for $5,500. He starts 32nd and can't really finish worse than that unless he has some major issues (or gets punted by Cody Ware again). So we're hoping he moves up a few spots and just makes a positive contribution.
• From there, you can fill in with some decent mid-tier options--
  • Austin Cindric -- starts 39th in what should be Top 20 equipment, although this is his first race in this race package and in the Cup Series at a 1.5 mile track
  • Tyler Reddick -- starts 29th and he finished 9 of 11 races at 1.5 mile tracks last year in the Top 18
  • Cole Custer -- starts 27th and can hopefully move inside the Top 20
  • Ryan Newman -- starts 28th and he is the type of bulldog you want for a 500 mile race; he's finished 13th and 14th the last two years here
  • Ryan Blaney and Alex Bowman -- really like both guys at worn out 1.5 mile tracks because that's where they have tended to have their best races -- they might be a little risky, but could also be pivots off Larson or Harvick if you want a more balanced lineup without a punt play like Alfredo