NextEra Energy 250
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Course: Daytona International Speedway
Format: 2.5-mile tri-oval
Laps: 100
Race Preview
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series hits the track this week in the season opening NextEra Energy 250. Ben Rhodes won the race last season, as well as the following race on Daytona's infield road course. Those wins were enough to put him into the season finale with a shot at a first series championship, which clinched with a third-place finish. He'll hope to replicate that success this year. Rivals like 2021 regular-series champion John Hunter Nemechek will be tough to overcome, though. Everyone will be working hard to get their season started in the best possible way this week by making the turn into Daytona International Speedway's Victory Lane.
Key Stats at Daytona International Speedway
- Number of races: 22
- Winners from pole: 4
- Winners from top-5 starters: 9
- Winners from top-10 starters: 13
- Winners from 21st or lower starters: 5
- Fastest race: 146.622 mph
Previous 10 Daytona Winners
2021 - Ben Rhodes
2020 - Grant Enfinger
2019 - Austin Hill
2018 - Johnny Sauter
2017 - Kaz Grala
2016 - Johnny Sauter
2015 - Tyler Reddick
2014 - Kyle Busch
2013 - Johnny Sauter
2012 - John King
Rhodes led seven laps, including the final overtime lap, in his Daytona win last season. The race featured 10 cautions for nearly half of the total laps run. Spencer Boyd and Chase Purdy took the two stage wins. Only three drivers led more than 10 laps each, too. Strategy and drafting is the way to come out on top at Daytona for the trucks. Teams will find partners to work with, including trips to pit road, to ensure they stay within the draft. Success this week will also require a healthy dose of luck, too. With 10 caution periods last year, fans and drivers alike can be assured of an eventful season-opening race for the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Trucks.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
John Hunter Nemechek - $10,500
Matt DiBenedetto - $10,300
Zane Smith - $10,200
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Riley Herbst - $9,900
Ben Rhodes - $9,700
Matt Crafton - $9,500
Stewart Friesen - $9,300
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Christian Eckes - $8,900
Austin Hill - $8,800
Parker Kligerman - $8,600
Johnny Sauter - $8,500
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Carson Hocevar - $8,000
Tyler Ankrum - $7,800
Derek Kraus - $7,600
Hailie Deegan - $6,900
MY PICKS THIS WEEK ($50k Salary Cap)
John Hunter Nemechek - $10,500
Matt DiBenedetto - $10,300
Johnny Sauter - $8,500
Derek Kraus - $7,600
Hailie Deegan - $6,900
Blaine Perkins - $6,200
John Hunter Nemechek was one of the stars of the 2021 season. He came up short of the championship and will be anxious to get back on track this week to start working toward claiming the title in 2022. He finished seventh in this race last season and has a best Daytona finish in the Trucks of fourth. Matt DiBenedetto will continue his NASCAR career this season with a full-time ride in this series after moving out of the No. 21 NASCAR Cup Series car. He will be one to watch this year and will be hoping to find Victory Lane early and often in the Trucks. Johnny Sauter is the driver with the most previous Daytona wins in this race. He last won this race in 2018. He started this race last year from pole but was unable to finish after suffering damage. Derek Kraus has two Daytona starts under his belt with a best finish of fourth, while Hailie Deegan embarks on her second season. She finished 24th in this race last year after starting ninth. Blaine Perkins will be challenging for rookie of the year honors in 2022 and was 31st in practice.
