FlurrySports gives their NASCAR fantasy picks and other DFS lineup advice for the Food City 500 NASCAR race this weekend, including Kyle Larson.
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The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend for the Food City 500. With 750 horsepower back in play and a different tire compound expected to increase wear, race conditions could look noticeably different from what we’ve seen here in recent seasons.
While increased tire fall-off isn’t guaranteed, the combination of added power and tire variability introduces a greater emphasis on long-run speed and driver adaptability. That dynamic could shake up the usual Bristol script and create new opportunities when building NASCAR fantasy lineups.
Let’s dive into a full NASCAR fantasy preview for the Food City 500. Below, we’ll share our recommended lineup picks, take a look at this week’s featured head-to-head matchups and more.
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NASCAR Fantasy Scoring Overview
NASCAR Fantasy scoring remains straightforward. Drivers earn points based on their finishing position, stage results and race performance, mirroring the NASCAR points system with added bonuses for stage finishes and fastest laps.
Each driver can only be used ten times throughout the 36-race season, making lineup strategy a key factor when deciding when to deploy top options versus sleeper picks.
NASCAR Fantasy also includes four head-to-head matchups each week, with correct picks earning additional points.
Food City 500 NASCAR Fantasy Picks
Lineup Locks
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The defending Food City 500 winner is the betting favorite to repeat this weekend, and for good reason. Over the last four races at Bristol, Kyle Larson has two wins, three top-five finishes and 892 laps led. His average driver rating of 116.1 leads the field.
Those are the numbers of a true NASCAR fantasy lineup anchor.
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin will be looking for redemption after two weeks to think about the win that slipped away at Martinsville. If the No. 11 team brings a similar short-track setup to Bristol, he will be firmly in contention.
Hamlin has won two of the last five races here and remains one of the safest plays on the board.
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
The most recent winner at Bristol, Christopher Bell has been one of the most consistent performers at this track in the Gen-7 era. He is the only driver to finish inside the top 10 in all six races contested on the concrete with this car.
For his career, Bell has recorded top-10 finishes in seven of nine Bristol starts, making him another high-floor option for fantasy lineups.
Drivers to Avoid
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Martinsville served as another reminder that short tracks are not Tyler Reddick’s strength. Even with a chance at a better finish taken away by pit road issues, the overall performance wasn’t convincing.
He has just two finishes better than 15th at Bristol on the concrete, making him a risky option for NASCAR fantasy again this week.
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Bubba Wallace joins his 23XI teammate as a fade this week. In addition to broader concerns about the team’s short-track performance, Wallace has just one finish better than 14th in his last eight starts at Bristol.
Until that trend changes, he’s difficult to trust in fantasy lineups, especially with better tracks down remaining on the schedule.
Sleepers to Consider
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
It may feel strange to label a Joe Gibbs Racing driver as a sleeper, but Ty Gibbs still fits the bill as he searches for his first Cup Series win. Recent form suggests that breakthrough is not far off.
Bristol could be the place it happens. Gibbs owns a 9.3 average finish here with three top-five results over the last four races, making him a high-upside play this week.
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
Brad Keselowski showed solid forward progression at Martinsville, continuing a strong stretch for RFK Racing to start the 2026 season.
He also brings a reliable track record to Bristol, with two top-five finishes in the last four races here. With team momentum and proven performance at this track, Keselowski stands out as a viable sleeper option.
NASCAR Fantasy Driver Matchups and Predictions
The following are the four featured NASCAR Fantasy head-to-head matchups for this week, along with our predictions.
Chase Elliott vs. Brad Keselowski
Considering his consistent success at “The Last Great Coliseum,” it’s somewhat surprising that Chase Elliott has yet to win at Bristol. Brad Keselowski profiles as a viable sleeper this week, but Elliott carries more momentum coming off his win two weeks ago and offers the higher floor.
Prediction: Chase Elliott
Denny Hamlin vs. Kyle Larson
This matchup could very well determine the winner of the Food City 500. Both drivers bring elite track history into the weekend, but Denny Hamlin gets the nod here. If tire fall-off becomes a greater factor with the new compound and increased horsepower, his ability to manage longer runs could provide a slight edge over Larson.
Prediction: Denny Hamlin
Ty Gibbs vs. Chase Briscoe
Both Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have shown consistency at Bristol in recent years. With much of the attention this week on Ty Gibbs, we’ll take a contrarian approach and side with Chase Briscoe. He has finished eighth, fourth and ninth in the last three races here.
Prediction: Chase Briscoe
Carson Hocevar vs. Josh Berry
Carson Hocevar may have just five Cup Series starts at Bristol, but he has already shown the ability to run near the front. Three of his finishes are better than Josh Berry’s best result of 12th in four starts. With the stronger track record and higher upside, Hocevar is the preferred side in this matchup.
Prediction: Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Fantasy 36 for 36 Selection
Each week, we conclude our NASCAR fantasy column with a 36 for 36 selection. For those unfamiliar, this is a separate contest from the standard format. Managers must select one driver for each race throughout the season, with that driver’s fantasy points contributing to their overall total.
The catch is that each driver can only be used once over the course of the season. Think of it as a blend between NASCAR fantasy scoring and an NFL survivor contest — without eliminations.
There are several intriguing sleeper options for this pick this week, but there’s no need to overthink it. Christopher Bell’s perfect top-10 finishing rate at Bristol in the Gen-7 car makes him the clear choice.
36 for 36 Pick: Christopher Bell
