Building a successful NASCAR DFS lineup on DraftKings requires balancing elite race-winning drivers with value plays capable of outperforming their salaries. For the Cook Out 400, this roster combines proven short-track performers, strong place-differential upside, and several drivers with a history of success on flat tracks.
The lineup features Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, Daniel Suárez, and Todd Gilliland. With only $200 left in salary, this build maximizes available cap space while creating both floor and tournament-winning upside.
Richmond Raceway rewards drivers who can manage tires, maintain track position, and produce long-run speed, making experience and consistency extremely important. Short tracks like Richmond often create opportunities for dominator points, but finding mid-tier drivers who can finish inside the top 15 can be just as valuable. Richmond’s 0.75-mile layout puts a premium on patience and tire management, often rewarding veteran drivers and teams with strong setups.
Ryan Blaney ($11,000)
Ryan Blaney is the centerpiece of this lineup and arguably one of the strongest DFS plays on the slate.
Blaney has consistently been one of NASCAR’s best drivers at shorter, flatter tracks, and Team Penske has shown tremendous speed at Richmond in recent seasons. He combines race-winning upside with the ability to lead laps and score fastest laps, making him an ideal DraftKings dominator candidate.
At an $11,000 salary, you need a driver capable of producing 60+ fantasy points, and Blaney fits that profile perfectly. His long-run speed, tire management skills, and aggressive late-race strategy often put him in contention during the final stage.
If Blaney controls portions of the race, this lineup immediately gains tournament-winning potential.
Joey Logano ($10,500)
Pairing Joey Logano with Blaney creates a powerful Team Penske stack.
Logano has been one of the most reliable drivers on flat tracks throughout his career. Richmond rewards veteran drivers who understand how the racing surface changes over long runs, and Logano excels in those situations.
What makes Logano especially appealing is his combination of consistency and upside. Even if he doesn’t lead large chunks of the race, a top-five finish provides excellent value. If he does spend time out front, the fantasy production rises significantly.
Using two Penske drivers also creates leverage in tournaments, particularly if the organization unloads with strong speed during practice and qualifying.
Austin Dillon ($8,300)
Austin Dillon stands out as one of the best mid-range plays in this lineup.
Dillon has enjoyed notable success at Richmond, including recent victories at the track, making him a strong value option relative to his salary. Richmond has been one of Dillon’s better tracks, and his ability to conserve tires over long runs often gives him an advantage late in races.
At $8,300, a top-10 finish would provide tremendous value. Dillon also carries lower ownership potential than some similarly priced drivers, giving DFS players additional tournament leverage.
This is the type of pick that can separate lineups in large-field contests.
Chris Buescher ($7,900)
Chris Buescher has quietly become one of NASCAR’s most dependable drivers on short tracks and intermediate tracks alike.
RFK Racing has shown tremendous improvement over the past few seasons, and Buescher has consistently delivered strong finishes. He is not always a lap leader, but he frequently gains positions and finishes better than expected.
That place-differential upside is extremely valuable on DraftKings.
At under $8,000, Buescher provides stability while still offering top-10 potential. DFS players often overlook drivers in this salary range, but Buescher’s consistency makes him an ideal lineup piece.
Daniel Suárez ($6,500)
Daniel Suárez offers excellent salary relief and solid upside.
Trackhouse Racing has demonstrated speed across multiple track types, and Suárez often performs well when strategy becomes a major factor. His ability to maintain track position and avoid mistakes gives him a path toward a top-15 finish.
At just $6,500, Suárez does not need an elite result to pay off his salary.
If he gains several positions during the race, he could become one of the better point-per-dollar plays on the slate.
Todd Gilliland ($5,600)
Every successful DFS lineup needs value, and Todd Gilliland fills that role perfectly.
Gilliland’s salary opens the door for expensive drivers like Blaney and Logano while still providing upside. Front Row Motorsports has shown improved speed, and Gilliland has demonstrated the ability to outperform expectations on various track types.
A finish in the top 20 would likely make him one of the stronger values in the field.
Low-priced drivers who avoid trouble and gain positions can be difference-makers in DraftKings contests, and Gilliland offers exactly that potential.
Final Thoughts
This DraftKings Cook Out 400 lineup blends elite race-winning upside with strong mid-tier value. Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano provide dominator potential, Austin Dillon and Chris Buescher offer reliable top-10 upside, while Daniel Suárez and Todd Gilliland create salary flexibility without sacrificing scoring potential.
In NASCAR DFS, balancing lap leaders, finish position, and place differential is the key to success. This lineup accomplishes all three goals and has the potential to compete in both cash games and large-field tournaments.
If Richmond turns into a race defined by tire management, strategy, and veteran experience, this lineup has all the pieces needed for a strong DFS finish.