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Kurt Busch had a interesting offseason to say the least. But that irreverent to the 2015 nascar season. Kurt had a down year overall , but he came around in the final three races. The changing of the crew chiefs was something I loved. Kurt and Tony Gibson really understands each other.
On Intermediate track expect latter single digits to mid teen results on high-speed Intermediate tracks. Atlanta is probably his top track. He have won 3 times in 24 starts. Since 2010 , his worst finish is 13th. Including one win and 4 finishes in the top 6. Chicago , Texas and Kentucky are another solid places to use Kurt Busch at. Expect least teen-like results at those venues.
Auto Club may be his best track overall. Since 2009 (8 races) , Kurt have 6 finishes in the top 9. Including 3 straight finishes in the top 10 (back-to-back top 5). With an 5.6 average finish. Michigan quite possibly one of Kurt worse tracks from a career stand point. He a two time winner in 28 starts , but only have 6 finishes inside the top 10 outside those wins. He only have one top 10 since 2010 (9 races).
Flats tracks always been a great type track for Kurt Busch. Pocono , Phoenix , and New Hampshire ranks among his best 8 track (career stats). Phoenix is a strange track. In the fall , he been one of the most consistent drivers since 2008 (7 races). With finishes of 7,5,8,22,9,6 and 2 for 8.4 average finish. In the spring since 2008? 21.4 average finish. 0 Top 10s in his past 3 spring races.
At New Hampshire , Busch been off lately. In his past 7 races , he have 7 straight races of 13th or worse. 5 of those 7 races have resulted in 22nd or worse. 3 of 5 races were worse then 30th. In 2014 , Busch had finishes of 36th and 14th. From 2008 to 2010 , he had 5 straight races in the top 6. Busch last win at Pocono was 2007. But since 2009 (10 races) , Busch have 7 Top 10s including 5 finishes of 6th or better. Also Busch have 8 qualifying efforts in the top 6 in that span. 3 of the past 4 have either ended in 3rd or 7th. Last season Busch had pair of strong finishes.
Indianapolis by far his worst flat track. In 14 career races , Busch have 8 Top 20s. So far so good. Only 3 of those were in the top 10 unfortunately. Of the other 6 races , five finishes were 27th or worse. Including finishes of 36 ,40 and 41. Not exactly a track he will have a lot of upside at.
Road courses will be a strong spot for Busch. Sonoma is his better track though. Busch seems to always run well there. Even in 51 car Busch was pretty competitive few years back. Almost won that race. Since 2011 , Busch have 4 finishes in the top 12. 3 of them were 4th or better. Watkins Glenn isn't a widely known strong track for Kurt. But don't be fooled , he made strides of late. Since 2008 (7 races) , Busch have 5 Top 10s. From 2001 to 2007 , Busch had only 3 Top 15s and best finish of 10th. In 2014 at Watkins Glenn he finished 3rd and was one of the most competitive drivers.
Short track been up and down for Busch his whole career. He have had some great finishes and some poor ones. Pretty much like any other driver. At Richmond , Busch have an 17.7 average finish including 1 win. Over past 4 races , Busch have 3 Top 10s. All three race he had over 100 driver rating. Which suggests he didn't luck into them.
Martinsville been a terrible track for Kurt. Don't be fool by last season win. His last top before his win in 2014? All the way back in 2005. In 29 career starts , he have 3 top 10s. Bristol is Busch best short track. In 29 career starts , he have 5 wins and 14.5 average finish. Unfortunately lately Busch been inconsistent as heck. 2 Finishes outside of 30th and 2 finishes inside the top 5 past two seasons. I feel more lucky at playing the lottery.
If you have watched Busch over the years at Daytona and Talladega, then you already know his history. 28 of 42 races have resulted in the top 10 combined at the two venues. Neither venue been kind to him lately. At Talladega , 4 of the previous 7 races have resulted in 30th or worse. His record recently been better at Daytona. Past two seasons , he been much better in the summer race. Both races in the top 6. The Daytona 500? Both races ended outside top 20.
Look I am not saying Kurt Busch gonna go out and win 6 or 7 races , but I expect a multi-win season out of Kurt. I felt like Busch struggled early on in 2014 due to he wasn't comfortable with SHR. In 2015 it won't be a issue. Flats, road courses and Intermediate tracks will be the places to use him. I feel like Busch will be overlook a lot early in the season. Hoping for a few good finishes in first 12 races. Would love that kind of fantasy value.
Twitter - @JeffNathans
