The 2026 Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway promises another chaotic superspeedway showdown, and DraftKings’ latest analysis zeroes in on the drivers who thrive in pack‑racing environments.
Pack‑Racing Powerhouses
Chase Elliott stands out with the best median finish of 14.1 in Gen‑7 pack races, a testament to his consistency when the field tightens.
Alex Bowman follows closely, holding the third‑best median finish in the same era, underscoring his ability to navigate traffic and capitalize on late‑race moves.
Carson Hocevar, fresh off a Talladega victory and a fourth‑place finish at Atlanta earlier in the season, brings recent momentum that could translate into a strong run.
Daniel Suarez’s track record at Atlanta is a roller‑coaster — finishes of fifth, 33rd, 34th, first, second, 29th and second illustrate both upside and volatility.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has amassed more superspeedway wins than most of his peers at Talladega and Daytona, making him a frequent threat in the closing laps.
William Byron boasts four Gen‑7 super speedway victories, two of which came at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, highlighting his knack for turning short runs into wins.
Historic Performers and Surprise Picks
Zane Smith has posted a sixth‑place finish at Daytona, an 11th at Atlanta and a fifth at Talladega, suggesting a steady climb toward the front.
Austin Cindric, the 2020 Daytona 500 winner, continues to excel on super speedways, leveraging his drafting expertise to secure favorable positions.
AJ Allmendinger carries a median finish of eighth at Atlanta and has collected multiple wins with Kaulig Racing, positioning him as a dark‑horse contender.
Denny Hamlin remains one of the all‑time great pack racers, though his recent form has dipped, with only two top‑10 finishes since 2014.
Chris Buescher was the runner‑up at Talladega and has logged two top‑10 finishes in the past four drafting races at Atlanta, indicating a resurgence.
Austin Hill, now taking over Kyle Busch’s ride, brings a pedigree as one of the strongest super speedway drivers in the Truck and O’Reilly Series.
Bubba Wallace’s median finish of 10th at super speedways over the last three seasons reflects a consistent ability to finish in the money.
Ross Chastain’s performance is heavily influenced by starting position and driver volatility, making him a high‑risk, high‑reward option.
Cody Ware advises targeting drivers starting near the front or those paired with weaker equipment, a strategy that can pay dividends in DFS lineups.