NASCAR DFS Picks for Gateway: Hamlin, Logano Lead DraftKings Values for Enjoy Illinois 300
NASCAR's playoff push heads to World Wide Technology Raceway this weekend, and daily fantasy players have a strong slate of values for the Enjoy Illinois 300. Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano headline the stud tier, while Ty Gibbs and Austin Cindric offer mid-range upside and Bubba Wallace presents a bargain salary that could pay off big.
The 1.25-mile flat oval near St. Louis presents one of the toughest passing challenges on the circuit, especially with the Next Gen car. The top lap leader in each of the last five trips to Gateway has averaged 85.5 laps led across four Cup races here, making track position and strategy critical for both drivers and DFS lineups.
The green flag is expected at 2:10 p.m. EST on Saturday, airing on USA Network.
Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano Lead the Stud Tier at Gateway
Denny Hamlin ($10,500) projects to lead significant portions of the race, and my numbers suggest he is the exception in the high-priced range. Hamlin ranks second in blended speed among similar tracks, with strong median laps at Phoenix and North Wilkesboro. His most recent effort at New Hampshire was a modest ninth, but he won and led 75 laps in this aero package a year ago.
Joey Logano ($10,200) has been dominant on short, flat tracks all season. He posted pole speeds nearly three tenths of a second faster than the field, continuing his strong form from North Wilkesboro where he had the best median lap. Logano finished second at Phoenix, and his 16th at New Hampshire likely stemmed from crash damage. He is a former Gateway winner from 2022 and will be the most popular play, though contrarian lineups without him could pay off in tournaments if strategy shuffles the field.
Ty Gibbs and Austin Cindric Offer Mid-Tier Value
Ty Gibbs ($9,200) remains underpriced after finishing second from the 28th starting spot last week at Darlington. He ranks third in blended speed behind Ryan Blaney and Hamlin, and this algorithm does not even count his short track wins at Bristol and Iowa. Gibbs has finishes of 11th and 10th in the last two years at Gateway and is enjoying his strongest Cup season.
Austin Cindric ($8,200) is the best option in the $8,000 range. He won the 2024 race at Gateway after his teammate Blaney ran out of fuel, and similar fuel strategy drama could unfold again. Cindric ranks 11th in blended speed, weighed down by a crash at Nashville, but a fast Penske Ford with a former track winner is a solid play.
Bubba Wallace and Shane Van Gisbergen Are Budget Plays With Upside
Bubba Wallace ($7,700) is a value salary that seems too low for a driver among the favorites. He ranks fifth in blended speed with top-10 efforts at Phoenix, North Wilkesboro, and New Hampshire, where he nearly topped Blaney before sliding a tire. Starting seventh, Wallace leading 80 laps and winning would surprise no one after a consistent summer across all track types.
Shane Van Gisbergen ($6,200) is a risky play on ovals, but his improvement on short, flat tracks makes him intriguing. The Trackhouse driver posted top-15 median laps at Nashville, North Wilkesboro, and New Hampshire. His 35th starting spot appears to be a qualifying mistake, as he showed top-15 speed on both 10-lap and 20-lap averages in practice.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.