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Dale Jr been one of the most consistent forces in Nascar since 2012. He haven't won a lot outside of 2014. But usually good for least a top 10. Really reminds me of a more popular Matt Kenseth. I mean c'mon the similarities. Consistency. Nice all around guys. Poor qualifiers. Average in practice but anyways find way to score respectable finishes.
Most Intermediate venues will likely be middle of the road among his best tracks. Why? Because he so good at shorts , flats , and plate tracks. Plus there a lot of them. Doesn't mean he terrible at them though. Actually been pretty good at them. Over past two seasons , his best track been Las Vegas. Most people don't of Vegas as his best intermediate track. In fact 6 of past 7 Vegas races have resulted in 10th or better. Including two runner-ups. There plenty of other good places to use him at too. Like Kansas , Michigan , Darlington , Dover , Texas , Kentucky , etc just to name a few.
Look I don't need to tell you how good Dale Jr is on Intermediate racetracks. He's a reliable option with plenty of upside. Enough said. Moving on to flats.
I get the feeling Dale Jr doesn't get the enough credit on the flats. In 2014 , Dale Jr was among the series best. Had an 5.7 average finish at those tracks. Including two wins and a second place finish. Mighty impressive. Pocono been his best track. In 2014 , Dale Jr sweep Pocono. Some would say luck. I would agree but then looked up his stats. 7 of past 8 races been 9th or better. Including 4 straight Top 5s. That not luck. Pocono have become one of Jr's best tracks.
Phoenix is another good flat for Dale Jr. Since 2013 , he have 4.5 average finish and 4 straight top 10s. Dale been one of the best since the repave. Before 2013 he was pretty decent to say the least. Even with HMS equipment. Good but never great. Also helped Steve was a mastermind atop the pit box.
New Hampshire been his worst flat track which is saying something. Actually have great stats here recently. I mean Dale Jr have 3 Top 10s in past 4 races. Worst finish of 14th. Seems crazy. But that 14th is the only finish outside top 10 since beginning of 2013. Enough said.
Indianapolis is another good flat for Dale Jr. He finished 6th in 2013. Followed that up with an 9th in 2014. Not terrible for someone who not known for his track record at Indy. In 15 career races , Dale Jr have 18.8 average finish and 5 Top 10s. 2 of them in past 2 seasons.
Plate tracks can be considered Junior Island. He is pretty much a lock for least 50% of every format. Going against him is the definition of going big or going home. Just ask my good buddy Garry Briggs going against the majority at Daytona 500 last season. Boy that was ugly. Point being you have home-field advantage with picking Dale Jr. Weather you choose to use is the question.
Short tracks been pretty kind to Dale Jr over past few seasons. Including Martinsville. He's the most recent winner at the half-mile short track. Since 2010 (9 races) , Dale Jr have 7 finishes inside the top 8. Had finishes of 3rd and 1st in 2014. Actually currently have 3 straight top 10s at Martinsville. Never given enough credit. Mainly due to how successful his teammates been in their career.
At Richmond recently Junior been middle of the road. 10.5 Average finish in past two seasons ranked 15th stats wise. He been consistent though. Including 6 straight finishes of 14th or better. Hard to complain about that , right? At Bristol , Dale better then record suggests over past two seasons. In 2013 he had finishes of 10th and 6th. In 2014 he finishes of 24th and 39th. What changed? Absolutely nothing. Had top 10 cars both times. Bad luck happened. Trust me his average finish is misleading. Driver rating doesn't do any good either. Since he spent majority of the time off the race leader pace.
Road course been Dale Jr weak spot during majority of his career. I say Majority because I have seen improvements of late. That huge improvements , but enough to say he headed in the right direction. Over in past 4 road courses , Dale Jr have 3 finishes in the top 12. Now it all about how he does going forward. I would recommend avoiding him. But keep tabs on him.
I went most this piece focusing on past 2 seasons. Why? I believe that the most relevant information to Junior fantasy outlook. Hard to get accuracy information from 4-5 years. Especially on how much he have improved. Expect a few wins out of Dale In 2015. Probably gonna come on the flats or Intermediate venues. You can almost count on that. Short and plate tracks also will be great places to use him. Anywhere but Watkins Glenn and Sonoma pretty much.
Twitter - @MattAleza