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We are headed to New Hampshire this weekend! I personally think this is one of the toughest places to make fantasy picks at. Typically passing is tough and track position is a key to success. If you are gonna win this race, then your pit crew will have to be one point. Last season we saw several drivers run out of gas due to a untimely late caution. New Hampshire is a short-flat racetrack. We have raced at two short flat-tracks this season of Phoenix and Richmond. Success doesn't always translate, but it sure does help though. So looking at data at those venues wouldn't be a terrible idea.
1-Jamie Mac: JMac is probably one of the most underrated fantasy options of the 2015 season. He once again finished inside the top 15 at Kentucky. However things are looking up for JMac as he seems to run his best on the shorter-flats compared to other type tracks. This season he been very strong on similar racetracks. He have compiled an 3.0 average finish with 7.0 average running position, 110.5 driver rating and 2 top 5 finishes in 2 races. His performance at Richmond stands out because he had the best car on the long run in that race. Up until the final green flag run in my opinion. He wasn't as strong at Phoenix, but he still finished inside the top 5. JMac also been one of the strongest performers over the past 4 races at New Hampshire as well. He have compiled an 9.3 average finish, 10.3 average start, 11.5 average running position and 95.5 driver rating. It also worth noting he have finished inside the top 5 in 2 of the past 3 races here. If there was one downside to picking Jamie, then it would be that he have finished worse in the July race then he have in the September race. In the July race he have finished 12th and 16th the past two seasons. In September, he have finished 4th and 5tth.
2-Brad Keselowski: Keselowski had the best car at Kentucky, but he couldn't do anything with it. Can he deliver at another good racetrack? Honestly I don't know. On similar tracks, he have compiled 11.5 average with 1 top 10, 4.5 average running position, 61 laps led and 113.7 driver rating. The one thing that jumps out is his 4.5 average running position which would rank him 3rd in the series. Also his New Hampshire is very strong. Over the past 4 races, he have compiled 5.8 average finish, 7.8 average start, 6.5 average running position, 232 laps led and 120.4 driver rating.
3-Austin Dillon: Dillon haven't set the world on fire this season, but not like he have been terrible either though. On similar tracks this season, he have complied 21.0 average finish, 15.5 average start, 20.5 average running position and 69.1 driver rating. Those aren't bad numbers for Dillon , in fact I say those are your typical Austin Dillon's stats. Most weekends he is middle of the road driver. He been performing better, but he still haven't found ways to translate speed into solid race results. A lot of that have to due with his development at the cup level. However New Hampshire was one of Dillon stronger tracks in his rookie season. Last season, he compiled 12.5 average finish with 20.5 average running position and 74.5 driver rating. He finished 11th and 14th last season. Expect a finish somewhere in the top 20, but don't be shocked to see him run near the top 10 for some of the race though.
4-Kevin Harvick: Harvick is coming off his worst race of the season probably in my opinion. I think a lot of that had to do with the aero package at Kentucky. However we are using the old package at New Hampshire and he been a bad man this season! On similar tracks, he have compiled 1.5 average finish, 3.0 average start, 3.0 average running position, 226 laps led and 136.4 driver rating. In simpler terms, he been pretty much unstoppable. A lot of those stats are from Phoenix. Even though he did very well at Richmond and finished 2nd to eventual race winner Kurt Busch. Over the past 4 races at New Hampshire, he have compiled 15.0 average finish, 10.3 average start, 10.8 average running position, 104 laps led and 94.5 driver rating. He finished 30th and 3rd last season. He probably should have finished inside the top 3 in both races, but he ran out of gas after a late caution last July.
5-Kasey Kahne: I am not sure what happened to Kahne, but dropped like a rock on that final green flag run at Kentucky. There was something very wrong with his car. He should get back on track at New Hampshire though. This have not been one of his strongest tracks since joining Hendrick, but he have gotten some solid outcomes though. In 6 races with Hendrick MotorSports, he have compiled 14.7 average finish with 4 finishes of 11th or better. Including 2 Top 5 finishes. However both top 5 finishes came in his debut with HMS in 2012. Since? He have finished 11th twice and 23rd or worse twice as well. He been a strong performer on the short-flats this season though. In 2 races, he have compiled 5.0 average finish, 24.0 average start, 9.5 average running position and 100.5 driver rating. He should contend for a top 10 on Sunday.
10-Danica Patrick: Danica is coming off her 2nd straight race where she have finished outside of the top 30. Honestly I am not even sure if she is even useable in Yahoo Fantasy Racing right now which is saying a lot. I understand it not her fault she had issues at Daytona and got wrecked at Kentucky. But I just don't feel too great about picking her at the moment. Not like she have blown us away at New Hampshire either though. She have an 22.6 average finish in her last 3 starts here. Tough to make a case for her here when there tracks like Pocono and Michigan which are tracks she seems to run better at. Even though I think she can finish inside the top 20 on Sunday.
11-Denny Hamlin: Hamlin should be a very good fantasy pick for this weekend race. New Hampshire is one of his better racetracks on the schedule. Over the past 6 races at New Hampshire, he have compiled 13.5 average finish, 10.5 average start, 11.7 average running position, 395 laps led and 113.6 driver rating. In that 6 race span, he have finished 12th or better in 4 races. He finished 1st and 2nd in 2012. From 2010-2012, Hamlin was the king of flats. So it only reasonable he was so strong here. Since Hamlin and JGR have stepped back some, but he ran very strong here last season. His finishes of 37th and 8th don't justify how good he truly was. However he haven't feared too well on the shorter flats this season. On similar racetracks, Hamlin have compiled 22.5 average finish, 13.5 average start, 20.5 average running position and 67.7 driver rating. Most noticeably he struggled very bad at Richmond. Honestly I was quite surprised by that. Nevertheless feel like JGR is running much better right now.
16-Greg Biffle: Let me let everyone in on a little secret: Greg Biffle runs very well at New Hampshire! Over the past 4 races here, Biff have compiled 12.7 average finish, 18.2 average start, 16.8 average running position and 80.0 driver rating. In fact Biffle been one of the most consistent fantasy options since 2005 here. In those 20 races (since 2005), Biff have finished 18th or better in 18 of 20 races. Last time he finished outside the top 20? 2008 (14 races ago) where he finished 21st. Biff have feared too well on shorter-flat this season though. He finished 27th at Phoenix and 21st at Richmond. So that isn't exactly comforting, but he might be worth a flier in deeper leagues.
18-Kyle Busch: There is no driver in the Sprint Cup Series hotter than Kyle Busch! If you have played fantasy racing long enough, then you know Busch is a streaky driver. Meaning he usually goes on hot streaks and cold streaks. He is smoking right now and you should probably consider him this weekend at New Hampshire. Over the past 4 races here, he have compiled 3.5 average finish, 5.5 average start, 6.8 average running position, 115 laps led and 114.8 driver rating. In that 4-race span, Busch have finished 2nd a series-leading 3 times. His only finish outside of the top 5? Was last September in 8th. Busch haven't raced this season on a short-flat racetrack, but his track record says he should be a contender for another win.
19-Carl Edwards: Got to love Carl Edwards! If he practice well, then he will disappoint. However if he practice poorly then he gonna go out and prove you wrong. That exactly what he did at Kentucky and finished 4th. Question is what does have in store for us at New Hampshire? Good question, but I have no idea to be honest. On similar tracks, he have compiled 16.0 average finish, 12.5 average start, 17.0 average running position, and 76.6 driver rating. He struggled at Richmond earlier this season, but I am not too worried about that. He have been solid at New Hampshire lately. Over the past 4 races here, he have compiled 11.8 average finish, 13.5 average start, 14.3 average running position and 84.6 driver rating. If he can keep his Toyota up front, then he due for another solid outing. Honestly I am hoping Kentucky was a turning point for Edwards.
20-Matt Kenseth: Kenseth have been strong at New Hampshire since joining JGR. Truthfully he started off his career off at New Hampshire very well and then hit a bumpy path from 2008 to 2011. Of course now he back to running well here. Since joining JGR (4 races), he have compiled 8.8 average finish, 13.0 average start, 7.3 average running position, 151 laps led and 114.0 driver rating. His only finish outside of the top 10 was last season event in July. He ran very well in that event though. He started 16th , finished 21st, had 10.0 average running position and 90.1 driver rating. He also been very strong on similar tracks this season too. He have compiled 11.5 average finish, 6.0 average start, 8.0 average running position and 99.7 driver rating.
22-Joey Logano: Logano is a very good fantasy pick this week. He scored his first career victory back in 2009 at the magic mile in his debut at the track with Joe Gibbs Racing. Over the past 4 races, he have compiled 23.8 average finish, 11.0 average start, 17.8 average running position, 77 laps led and 87.0 driver rating. He finished 40th the past two July races, but he been very competitive despite poor results. Last season he wrecked into Morgan Shepard while leading. It funny that he completed 211 laps in each of the past two July races at New Hampshire. It almost like it fixed. However he came back in September and won for 2nd time in his career at the 1-mile flat racetrack in 2014. He been a strong performer on the shorter-flats this season which helps out his case. He have had some impressive stats: 6.5 average finish, 1.5 average start, 5.5 average running position, 129 laps led and 113.7 driver rating. For those that are wondering, Logano have 4 top 5 finishes in the past 5 Sprint Cup Series Races which leads the series.
24-Jeff Gordon: Gordon is coming off an 6th place finish at Kentucky Speedway. He comes to New Hampshire with little chip on his shoulder. Last season he was a strong performer in both races, but pretty sure he ran out of gas both times. Before last season poor results, he was a very consistent and reliable fantasy option here. Minus last season two races, he have wheeled off 17 straight finishes inside the top 15. In fact, he have only finished worse than 15th in 3 races since the 2003(!) season. That is super impressive and personally I think he get back on track this weekend. He been very good this season on the shorter-flats, he have compiled 8.5 average finish, 10.5 average running position, 8.0 average running position and 121.5 driver rating. Expect Gordon to contend for another top 10 finish on Sunday.
27-Paul Menard: Menard is a better driver on the intermediate racetracks, but I think there are worse options laying out there. He been decent at New Hampshire over his past 4 starts. He have compiled 18.3 average finish , 15.0 average start, 17.0 average running position and 73.9 driver rating. Those are not great stats, but he finished 22nd or better in every single start since joining RCR in 2012 (6 races). Last season, he finished 17th and 19th. His best race was probably back in September 2012 where he finished 12th. Otherwise every other race have ended between 15th-22nd and driver rating have been south of 80.0 as well. On the shorter flats this season, he have compiled 14.5 average finish with 16.5 average running position and 80.0 driver rating. Expect another finish around 15th-ish.
41-Kurt Busch: Busch wasn't very good at Kentucky, but he should get back on track this weekend at New Hampshire. Last season he finished 36th and 17th. He wasn't very good last season at a lot of racetracks, so I will give him a pass. However before bouncing around to several different teams, he was one of the strongest driver from 2007-2010. So maybe he can return to a elite driver at this venue? I think he will. On similar tracks this season, he have compiled 3.0 average finish, 5.5 average start, 3.0 average running position, 291 laps led and 133.1 driver rating. He finished 5th at Phoenix and won at Richmond for those that have forgotten. I think he should be easily one of the drivers to beat this Sunday.
42-Kyle Larson: Larson finished 35th at Kentucky, but it was shame since he was arguably having one of his best races of the season. On the plus side, he had a great rookie season at New Hampshire though. Last season he finished 2.5 average finish, 11.5 average start, 11.0 average running position, 14 laps led and 99.1 driver rating. Those are some very good stats. He also have been pretty good this season on the shorter flats tracks. He have compiled 11.0 average finish with 12.0 average finish and 90.9 driver rating. You expect another top 15 finish from Larson, but I think it will be more like top 10 finish though. Honestly I think a lot of people will avoid Larson after last week bust at Kentucky.
48-Jimmie Johnson: Johnson is coming off an 9th place finish at Kentucky. Last season he struggled at New Hampshire where he finished 5th and 42nd. His 42nd place finish have been only one of 3 finishes out of the top 10 since 2006. In that span (the past 16 races), he have 13 finishes of 9th or better. Including 4 finishes of 6th or better in his past 5 races. Looking at all of his races individually, he have never been a dominating driver. But he been one of the most consistent drivers though. On similar tracks, Johnson have compiled 7.0 average finish, 28.0 average start,12.5 average running position and 96.8 driver rating. He finished 11th at Phoenix and 3rd at Richmond.
78-Martin Truex Jr: Truex had another off-race at Kentucky and quite frankly I get the feeling his hot streak might be over. Even though I also feel like it was a streak of rough patches as well. I think we will know for sure which one it is after this weekend. Last season he finished 12th in both races. In fact I think New Hampshire is one of Truex best racetracks. Dating back to his days with MWR, he have finished 8 straight inside the top 17. Including 4 finishes of 12th or better in his past 6 races. He also been a very strong performer this season on similar track. He have compiled 8.5 average finish, 10.5 average running position, 8.5 average running position and 101.7 driver rating. He should be a top 10 heading into Sunday race.
88-Dale Jr: Dale Earnhardt Jr have not been at his best this season on the shorter flats tracks for some reason. He finished 43rd at Phoenix after a blown tire. He followed that up by finishing 14th at Richmond. Honestly he wasn't ever a race winner contender in either event. Last season he finished 9th and 10th at New Hampshire. In fact, he been very good at this venue since 2010. He have wheeled off 9 Top 15 finishes in his past 10 starts at the track. Including 4 top 10 finishes in his 6 races. Honestly I think you can expect a finish somewhere from 6th-14th from Dale Jr.
***All stats from FantasyRacingCheatSheet.com and Driveraverages.com
Email - JeffNathan74@yahoo.com
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