How to Play Short Track NASCAR DFS on DraftKings: Martinsville Strategy Guide

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How to Play Short Track NASCAR DFS on DraftKings: Martinsville 400 Strategy Guide

This week’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is a 400-lap short track showdown — and that changes everything in DraftKings DFS strategy. Short tracks like this are all about dominator points, and Martinsville is one of the most dominator-heavy races on the schedule.

If you’re building lineups for DraftKings, your #1 priority is identifying the drivers who will lead laps and run fastest laps — because that’s where the real scoring comes from.

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1. Dominators Are Everything (And Yes, They Can Still Hit 100+ DK Points)

Let’s do the math for a 400-lap race:

• 0.25 points per lap led

• 0.45 points per fastest lap

• 400 laps = 100 DK points available for laps led

• 400 laps = 180 DK points available for fastest laps

That’s 280 bonus points up for grabs — and unlike longer tracks, they tend to be concentrated among just a few drivers.

A top-tier dominator at Martinsville might:

• Lead 200+ laps (50 DK points)

• Grab 90 fastest laps (40.5 DK points)

• Win the race (45 points)

That’s over 135+ DraftKings points — not hypothetical, this happens every year on short tracks. If you don’t roster the key dominators, you’re likely drawing dead in tournaments.

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2. Build Around Two Dominators — and Leave Room for a Third

Given the 400-lap length, there’s still plenty of room for multiple dominators. In many Martinsville races, one driver leads early, another controls the mid-race, and a third takes over late.

In your builds:

• Lock in one dominator with early track position (starts 1–5)

• Pair with a second dominator who may take control later (starts 4–10)

• Consider rotating a third in multi-entry lineups

If one of your dominators leads 150+ laps and logs fastest laps while winning or finishing top 3, you’re in great shape.

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3. Use Place Differential for Upside — But Avoid Junk Plays

Place differential is still important on DraftKings — a driver starting 28th and finishing 10th is worth +18 points just on differential, plus finish points and any dominator crumbs.

But don’t fall into the trap of punting on drivers who have no path forward. On short tracks, traffic is constant and slower cars don’t magically pass 15 cars. Look for:

• Top 15 potential

• Solid team and equipment

• Price in the mid- to low-range

These drivers offer real upside without costing you dominators.

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4. Avoid the Mid-Pack Fade Zone

This is the graveyard of DraftKings lineups.

Drivers who qualify 12th–18th and finish in that same range are often lineup killers unless they:

• Lead laps

• Gain significant positions

• Or are extremely cheap

You’ll often get more value from a $6,000 driver who moves from 28th to 19th than a $7,800 guy who starts 13th and finishes 14th.

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5. Stars and Scrubs Usually Beats Balance

For short tracks like Martinsville, Stars & Scrubs is often optimal:

• Two expensive dominators

• One or two high-upside differential plays

• One cheap punt who just survives

That last slot doesn’t need a miracle. If they finish 22nd on the lead lap and cost $5,200, that’s a win. You want that salary savings to free up both dominators.

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Sample DraftKings GPP Build for the Martinsville 400

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Final Thoughts

For the 400-lap Martinsville race, success in DraftKings DFS hinges on two things:

• Nailing your dominators

• Avoiding dead weight in the middle of the field

With 280 bonus points in play, DFS scoring will be lopsided. One or two drivers will dominate — literally and figuratively — and you need them in your lineup.

Short tracks are chaotic, but predictable patterns emerge for those who study practice, qualifying, and track history. Build around that, and you’ll have a real shot this week.