Do you participate in RaceDayScore.co the daily NHRA drag racing fantasy game? If you don't, you should check out this segment from our coverage partners at WFO Radio with Seth Angel, the driving force behind the website. 

LOCATION: Topeka, Kansas
DRAG STRIP: Heartland-Park Topeka
May 20 - 22, 2016

Race Preview:

When you look in highly deliverable fantasy picks, the KB Racing team is as studly as it gets this season with a revamped Pro Stock category. Drivers Greg Anderson, Jason Line and Bo Butner have combined for seven straight victories, seven pole positions and had led 27 consecutive sessions of qualifying. 

The Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel drivers Doug Kalitta and JR Todd combined for the one-two punch heard round the world in drag racing last weekend in Atlanta. Kalitta won by less than .0000 in the historic drag race over Todd. With that momentum headed into Topeka, Kan., consider this: Kalitta Racing has won nine times at this track with four different drivers. 

Though DSR drivers Matt Hagan and Jack Beckman reached the final round in Atlanta, John Force Racing has put a car in the final round during the last nine races in ten years. Don Schumacher Racing has been strong as well with five finalists in the last ten events here in Topeka.

 
Key Stats: 

Last season's winners - 
Top Fuel: Richie Crampton
Funny Car: Jack Beckman
Pro Stock: Erica Enders

Last year’s final round

2015
Top Fuel: Richie Crampton, 3.738, 318.09 def. Larry Dixon, 3.787, 308.28.
Funny Car: Jack Beckman, Dodge Charger, 3.984, 316.45 def. John Force, Chevy Camaro, 4.002, 324.51.
Pro Stock: Erica Enders, Chevy Camaro, 6.584, 209.33 def. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.591, 209.14.

Topeka is one of those tracks where the weatherman can be your best friend even though he’s more wrong than right. If the long range weather forecast holds up, we could be in for a real treat. Topeka is a lot like Atlanta where the “wet heat” or humidity can hinder cars but if it gets cool and the air gets crisp, we could see records across the board. We’ll venture to say track records will fall, and at least in the nitro classes might be strong enough for a sixth place spot in the field. 

RACE DAY SCORE VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $60K Salary Cap)

Tier 1 Values 

Greg Anderson                $12,300
Jason Line                        $12,300
Doug Kalitta                     $11,500
Ron Capps      $11,000

Tier 2 Values 

Jack Beckman                   $10,900

Robert Hight                     $10,800
Bo Butner III                    $10,700
Courtney Force          $10,700

Tier 3 Values
J.R. Todd              $10,400
John Force            $10,400
Clay Millican          $9,900
Shane Gray           $8,700

Long-Shot Values

Steve Torrence          $10,600
Chris McGaha            $10,500
Chad Head                 $9,500

MY PICKS THIS WEEK

Lower-Risk Cash Game Lineup ($60K Salary Cap)

J.R. Todd          $10,400
Tony Schumacher $10,000
Courtney Force  $10,700
Chad Head        $9,500
Bo Butner III     $10,700
Shane Gray       $8,700

Pro Stock is clearly the most predictable of the three categories in play at Topeka. There are two nitro teams with rich history of success at the eighth stop on the 24-race tour. With Kalitta, you have a choice of two drivers, both of whom have won here before and with John Force Racing, all three drivers have won here as well. 

Pro Stock values are high, and will break your piggybank because of this. When you look at who has the best chance to jump between the Anderson – Line lovefest you should look no further than their teammate Butner. However, Butner has a tendency to be a bit unpredictable. With Dave Connolly back helping with Gray, he is on the upswing. In Funny Car, if you have to pick someone better go with Courtney because she has the most momentum of the camp now. Chad Head is one of those often left out names who can jump up with a semi-final finish out of the blue, much like last year’s track record.  

Higher-Risk Tournament Lineup ($60K Salary Cap)

J.R. Todd  $10,400
Shawn Langdon     $9,400
Courtney Force  $10,700
Tommy Johnson Jr.  $10,200
Allen Johnson                   $10,400
Shane Gray                           $8,700

In our higher risk picks, we are targeting drivers who appear to be on the upswing instead of the clear-cut leaders. JR Todd has been going some rounds and it comes at a perfect time after he lost the closest drag race in history and piloting a car which has won Topeka twice. Pair him with Shawn Langdon, who also appears to be on an upswing, and behind the wheel of a car that has been to the finals four times; three with Spencer Massey and once with Cory McClenathan. In Pro Stock, Allen Johnson has been getting on his feet and winning rounds. He might not win the race or finish runner-up, but he’s going to take you to at least the semis. Same with Gray and the Dave Connolly/Jim Yates connection.