The NASCAR Cup Series is set to tackle the challenging Sonoma Raceway for the Toyota/Save Mart 350, its second road course race of the 2024 season. The recently repaved track has brought some interesting changes to the driver lineup, with Joey Logano securing pole position and Ryan Blaney not far behind in third.

During practice sessions, Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain displayed impressive speed, leading the five- and 10-lap averages. Hendrick Motorsports showcased their strength, with all four drivers finishing in the top 10 in qualifying, along with both Trackhouse Racing cars.

With playoff implications at stake, drivers will be strategizing for a win, stage points, and playoff points. This varied approach on the track will also influence the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) strategy for fans and participants.

Experts recommend considering drivers with good place-differential and finishing-position potential for cash games. Ross Chastain, priced down compared to other top options, has shown consistency with top-10 finishes in his last three Sonoma races. Starting from a comfortable ninth-place position, Chastain offers strong place-differential potential for DFS participants.

Chris Buescher, despite starting 26th, boasts the best average finish among all drivers at road courses in the Next Gen era. With an ideal strategy to enhance his chances for a win, Buescher aims to secure a spot in the playoffs as the current last driver.

Denny Hamlin, with a 25th-place starting position, brings in a strong long-run car and the highest Perfect% score in the model. These factors make him a favorable choice for cash games.

In tournament strategy, it is advisable to consider drivers like Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Elliott. They exhibit the potential to secure a win based on their practice speed, road-course history, and starting spots. However, since all three start inside the top five, creating a negative correlation between them would be a smart move, allowing for more diversified lineups.

Furthermore, Ty Gibbs, who dominated the Xfinity Series race on Saturday, has shown excellent performance on road courses. Not needing stage points, Gibbs is expected to adopt an optimal strategy to compete for the race win and gain playoff points.

Participants should also keep an eye on Will Brown's status leading up to the race, as he has faced some issues with the car's performance. If the issues are resolved, Brown, who had the third-fastest time in practice, presents a promising option at a middling price.

Lastly, given the importance of place differential in this race, drivers such as Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, Daniel Hemric, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Josh Berry, and Ryan Preece, all priced at $6,000 or cheaper, starting in the 30s, are likely to be under-rostered. According to the model, these drivers have a reasonable chance of ending up in the optimal lineup, making them potential hidden gems for DFS participants.

As the race at Sonoma Raceway awaits, DFS enthusiasts can refer to FantasyLabs' NASCAR Models for projections and utilize tools like the Lineup Optimizer and Lineup Builder to create winning lineups effortlessly. Grabbing a piece of the action with these carefully selected NASCAR DFS Picks for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 will surely add an extra level of excitement to this highly anticipated race.