Welcome to TimersSports
Kyle Larson will enter his 3rd season as full-time driver in the Cup series! After a rapid-hot start to his career in 2014, he hit a brick wall last season. Now many are doubting the young CGR driver, after a major letdown season. If there one thing I learn in fantasy nascar, then always bet on a driver coming off a disappointing season. Larson have the talent and potential to be a top 10 driver on a weekly basis in 2016. Even though Larson will once again be inconsistent, but he have the experience now to learn from his prior mistakes. Last season he had the speed and I think CGR will be even faster in 2016. The low-downforce rules package should only help him even further in my opinion. Realistically I expect him to run towards backend of the top 10 to lower teens mostly in the upcoming season. Maybe middle to higher teens on his worst days though.
Intermediate racetracks will be Larson's strongest type racetrack in 2016. He was strong last season, but rarely got the results. Last season on the intermediates, he compiled 18.3 average finish, 13.5 average start, 12.8 average running position and 87.8 driver rating. The one stat that should stand out is his 12.8 average running position. That 12.8 ARP ranked 10th among all driver last season. I would say Dover is his best intermediate racetrack. Dover been his best track so far in his short cup career. Over the past 4 races at Dover, he have compiled 7.3 average finish, 8.5 average start, 9.8 average running position and 98.1 driver rating. In those 4 races, he have managed finishes of 9th, 3rd, 6th and 11th. His 11th place effort came back in his debut in 2014. So he enters the 2016 season, with 3 straight top 9 finishes. He had finishes of 9th and 3rd last season. Last season, he compiled 6.0 average finish, 11.0 average start, 8.0 average running position and 103.1 driver rating. Dover is considered Kyle's best track and I am willing to bet he score least one top 5 finish at the 1-mile racetrack in 2016.
I would say Texas is Kyle's second best racetrack among the intermediate racetracks. He very good at Texas. Over the past 4 races, he have compiled 18.5 average finish, 11.3 average start, 12.8 average running position and 90.0 driver rating. Last season, Larson had terrible luck at Texas. However he was stout in both races though. Last season at Texas, he compiled 31.0 average finish, 7.0 average start, 14.0 average running position and 84.0 driver rating. Last spring race, he had a top 10 car and had a great pit stop at the end that would have put him in a great position for a strong finish. However with about 20 laps to go, he had pit road penalty that put him at tail end of the field. Last fall at Texas, he had easy top 5 speed. He was running around 2nd or 3rd in that race but had a blown tire. He pitted and then charge through the field again into the top 5. Guess what? He had another blown tire, that pretty much ended his day and finished 37th. Other good tracks for him would be Homestead, Expect him to be a top 10 driver on the intermediate racetrack, but he won't always get there results. So be prepared to deal with disappointment. On a good day, he will finish anywhere from 7th-12th place range. On a bad day, he will probably finish somewhere from the high teens to mid-20s realistically.
Larger Flats have been a strong spot for Kyle Larson in his first two seasons and I expect that to continue in 2016. Last season on the larger flats, Larson compiled 9.7 average finish, 15.7 average start, 10.3 average running position and 97.3 driver rating. He been pretty equal at Pocono and Indy. I would say Pocono is the track I feel better about him at, as he have more experience there. Over the past 4 races at Pocono, he have compiled 9.0 average finish, 14.3 average start, 12.0 average running position and 95.1 driver rating. Last season at Pocono, he compiled 10.0 average finish, 21.0 average start, 11.5 average running position and 94.5 driver rating. He had finishes of 8th and 12th last season at Pocono. His worst career finish in 4 career starts? 12th and that came last August. Pretty good numbers to have at Pocono, wouldn't you agree? At Indy, he have only made two career starts. Over the past two seasons, he have compiled 8.0 average finish, 10.0 average start, 8.5 average running position and 103.6 driver rating. He have posted driver ratings in both races above 102.0 for those that are wondering. Overall in 6 starts on larger flats tracks, he have compiled 8.7 average finish, 12.8 average start, 10.8 average running position and 97.9 driver rating. Across the board, he ranked among the best in Nascar on the larger flats. At both Pocono and Indy, I expect him to back up his first two season and be least a top 10 driver in 2016.
Shorter Flats should be a decent type track for Larson in 2016, even though he didn't blow us away last season. Last season on the shorter flats, he have compiled 19.8 average finish, 10.3 average start, 17.5 average running position and 79.8 driver rating. He been worse at New Hampshire than Phoenix, so far in his cup career though. Over the past 4 races at New Hampshire, he have compiled 13.3 average finish, 11.5 average start, 17.0 average running position and 84.8 driver rating. Last season he was much less successful than hew as in 2014. Last season at New Hampshire, he compiled 24.0 average finish, 11.5 average start, 23.0 average running position and 70.4 driver rating. I am not going to sugar coat it, Larson was bad last season at New Hampshire. After finishing 2nd and 3rd in his rookie season, I think expectations were high for him at the 1-mile racetrack. Plain and simple, he didn't deliver. He finished 2 laps down in the first New Hampshire and wasn't really that competitive. To be fair, I think he got a pit road penalty that put him down a lap. After that he lost another lap before finishing 31st. He finished 17th in the second race though. Which isn't terrible, even though it isn't great either. He been up and down at Phoenix so far in his career. But overall respectably. He just haven't gotten the finishes he deserved. Over the past 4 races at Phoenix, he have compiled 16.0 average finish, 8.0 average start, 12.5 average running position and 88.4 driver rating. He have qualified 12th or better for all 4 of his races at Phoenix. However only 2 of those 4 races have translated into top 15 finishes. He finished 20st in his debut in 2014 and 21st last fall shortened race. He was actually fairly solid for the first run of that fall race, but as the race went on his car faded down the leaderboard. Realistically I expect a finish anywhere from lower teens to higher teens at the shorter flats. Probably 13th-18th place range more specifically. Larson proven he can run well at both tracks, so he will have the potential to knock off some top 10s finishes. But I am not banking on that heading into the season.
Short tracks will be another decent type racetrack for Larson, but I expect him to be inconsistent with his finishes in 2016 like he was in his first two seasons. Last season on the short tracks (6 races), he compiled 18.2 average finish, 11.6 average start, 14.0 average running position and 89.2 driver rating. He probably will be his best at Bristol. In every race at Bristol, he have had a very competitive car. Over the past 4 races at Bristol, he have compiled 17.5 average finish, 21.5 average start, 13.8 average running position and 92.4 driver rating. He finished 10th, 12th and 7th in his first three starts. He actually led 90 laps last spring and eventually finished 7th. He had a fast car last summer at Bristol as well. But he ended up finding the wall and finished 41st. No doubt he was fast in that race. Bristol been a very good track for Kyle Larson and I am willing to bet, one of his first cup wins will come at Bristol. He also been pretty good at Richmond so far in his cup career. He been pretty decent so far. No top 10 finishes, but still pretty respectably. Over the past 4 races at Richmond, he have compiled 12.8 average finish, 8.0 average start, 13.8 average running position and 85.1 driver rating. Last season he had finishes of 11th and 12th last season. His finished 16th in his debut in 2014. Since? He have compiled 11.7 average finish, 10.3 average start, 11.0 average running position and 91.4 driver rating. His worst finish in those three starts is 12th. Pretty good numbers to have to start of your cup career! I don't think I need to tell you how bad Kyle Larson been at Martinsville so far in his cup career. He missed last spring race because of a illness. He probably wasn't too sad about that. Considering in 4 races at Martinsville, he have compiled 30.3 average finish, 17.0 average start, 25.3 average running position and 59.0 driver rating. His best career finish? 19th last fall. He was pretty decent in that race actually. Held 77.7 driver rating and 16.0 average running position. He completed about half that race inside the top 15. So by far his best race to date. His previous three races ended in 30th, 27th and 42nd. Larson will get a lot of finishes from 7th-15th at Bristol and Richmond. Anything beyond top 20 is probably asking for too much. Even though he had his best race by far last fall. Still one race means nothing. Overall the short tracks will be decent for him. Just expect some disappointment from time to time though.
Road Courses will be where Larson is a legitimate sleeper at. People don't really view Kyle as a great road course racer, but he been pretty good so far in his cup career. Which would be surprising to most. As Larson isn't really known for his road course skills. I would say WGI is his better track though. Over the past two races at WGI, he have compiled 8.0 average finish, 14.5 average start, 15.0 average running position and 89.7 driver rating. He finished 12th last season at WGI. He performed around that area for most of the race. He held 11.0 average running position and 99.9 driver rating. At Sonoma, he just have had terrible luck. Over the past two seasons at Sonoma, he have compiled 21.5 average finish, 3.5 average start, 12.5 average running position and 86.3 driver rating. In his debut in 2014, he was running top 10 before his power steering went out and had to gut out a 28th place finish. Last season, he finished 15th but he had a top 10 car in that race. He held 9.0 average running position and 98.4 driver rating. At road courses, I would expect finishes in the lower to middle teens from Larson, if everything goes according to plan. He will probably have a shot at the top 10 too, especially if he have a fast car.
The Plates will be a major weakness for Kyle Larson in 2016, if his first two seasons is any indication. He been absolutely terrible at Daytona. His best career Daytona finish? 34th last season's Daytona 500. In 4 career races at Daytona, he have never finished on the lead lap. 3 of those 4 races, he have could not finish the race. Ouch! That's isn't exactly ideal fantasy numbers to like, if you looking at him for the upcoming season's opener. He been better at Talladega, but that not really saying too much. In 4 races at Talladega, he have compiled 23.0 average finish, 26.8 average start, 19.0 average running position and 81.9 driver rating. He finished 9th and 17th in his rookie season, but much like most of his stats he nose-dived in 2015. He had finishes of 42nd and 24th. On the plus side, 3 of those 4 races he completed on the lead lap. His lone bad finish was in April 2015 where he wrecked out. At the plates, he will be nothing more than a top 20 potential driver and at Daytona he probably isn't even that honestly. Least not until he is able to actually finish a race.
Look I am not going to stand here and tell you how much potential and talent Kyle Larson have. You have seen that on display already. He wasn't great last season, but there was no doubt that he had speed almost every time he was on the track. If CGR can gain a little more speed like they had in 2014, then this kid could have a pretty stellar season. However his inconsistency and equipment will hold him back most weekends. I think he will contend for finishes in latter part of the top 10 to the anywhere in the lower to middle teens. More specifically probably from 7th-15th most weekends. Like I mentioned before, he will be inconsistent. So while his potential may be a top 10 or top 15 driver, you have to be prepared to be disappointed from time to time. Trust me, he will disappoint at certain tracks. I think his best shot at wins will come at the flats tracks or certain intermediate tracks. He will also be strong at Bristol and the road courses as well. Realistically I am not expecting him to win though.
Twitter - @JeffNathans
Kyle Larson will enter his 3rd season as full-time driver in the Cup series! After a rapid-hot start to his career in 2014, he hit a brick wall last season. Now many are doubting the young CGR driver, after a major letdown season. If there one thing I learn in fantasy nascar, then always bet on a driver coming off a disappointing season. Larson have the talent and potential to be a top 10 driver on a weekly basis in 2016. Even though Larson will once again be inconsistent, but he have the experience now to learn from his prior mistakes. Last season he had the speed and I think CGR will be even faster in 2016. The low-downforce rules package should only help him even further in my opinion. Realistically I expect him to run towards backend of the top 10 to lower teens mostly in the upcoming season. Maybe middle to higher teens on his worst days though.
Intermediate racetracks will be Larson's strongest type racetrack in 2016. He was strong last season, but rarely got the results. Last season on the intermediates, he compiled 18.3 average finish, 13.5 average start, 12.8 average running position and 87.8 driver rating. The one stat that should stand out is his 12.8 average running position. That 12.8 ARP ranked 10th among all driver last season. I would say Dover is his best intermediate racetrack. Dover been his best track so far in his short cup career. Over the past 4 races at Dover, he have compiled 7.3 average finish, 8.5 average start, 9.8 average running position and 98.1 driver rating. In those 4 races, he have managed finishes of 9th, 3rd, 6th and 11th. His 11th place effort came back in his debut in 2014. So he enters the 2016 season, with 3 straight top 9 finishes. He had finishes of 9th and 3rd last season. Last season, he compiled 6.0 average finish, 11.0 average start, 8.0 average running position and 103.1 driver rating. Dover is considered Kyle's best track and I am willing to bet he score least one top 5 finish at the 1-mile racetrack in 2016.
I would say Texas is Kyle's second best racetrack among the intermediate racetracks. He very good at Texas. Over the past 4 races, he have compiled 18.5 average finish, 11.3 average start, 12.8 average running position and 90.0 driver rating. Last season, Larson had terrible luck at Texas. However he was stout in both races though. Last season at Texas, he compiled 31.0 average finish, 7.0 average start, 14.0 average running position and 84.0 driver rating. Last spring race, he had a top 10 car and had a great pit stop at the end that would have put him in a great position for a strong finish. However with about 20 laps to go, he had pit road penalty that put him at tail end of the field. Last fall at Texas, he had easy top 5 speed. He was running around 2nd or 3rd in that race but had a blown tire. He pitted and then charge through the field again into the top 5. Guess what? He had another blown tire, that pretty much ended his day and finished 37th. Other good tracks for him would be Homestead, Expect him to be a top 10 driver on the intermediate racetrack, but he won't always get there results. So be prepared to deal with disappointment. On a good day, he will finish anywhere from 7th-12th place range. On a bad day, he will probably finish somewhere from the high teens to mid-20s realistically.
Larger Flats have been a strong spot for Kyle Larson in his first two seasons and I expect that to continue in 2016. Last season on the larger flats, Larson compiled 9.7 average finish, 15.7 average start, 10.3 average running position and 97.3 driver rating. He been pretty equal at Pocono and Indy. I would say Pocono is the track I feel better about him at, as he have more experience there. Over the past 4 races at Pocono, he have compiled 9.0 average finish, 14.3 average start, 12.0 average running position and 95.1 driver rating. Last season at Pocono, he compiled 10.0 average finish, 21.0 average start, 11.5 average running position and 94.5 driver rating. He had finishes of 8th and 12th last season at Pocono. His worst career finish in 4 career starts? 12th and that came last August. Pretty good numbers to have at Pocono, wouldn't you agree? At Indy, he have only made two career starts. Over the past two seasons, he have compiled 8.0 average finish, 10.0 average start, 8.5 average running position and 103.6 driver rating. He have posted driver ratings in both races above 102.0 for those that are wondering. Overall in 6 starts on larger flats tracks, he have compiled 8.7 average finish, 12.8 average start, 10.8 average running position and 97.9 driver rating. Across the board, he ranked among the best in Nascar on the larger flats. At both Pocono and Indy, I expect him to back up his first two season and be least a top 10 driver in 2016.
Shorter Flats should be a decent type track for Larson in 2016, even though he didn't blow us away last season. Last season on the shorter flats, he have compiled 19.8 average finish, 10.3 average start, 17.5 average running position and 79.8 driver rating. He been worse at New Hampshire than Phoenix, so far in his cup career though. Over the past 4 races at New Hampshire, he have compiled 13.3 average finish, 11.5 average start, 17.0 average running position and 84.8 driver rating. Last season he was much less successful than hew as in 2014. Last season at New Hampshire, he compiled 24.0 average finish, 11.5 average start, 23.0 average running position and 70.4 driver rating. I am not going to sugar coat it, Larson was bad last season at New Hampshire. After finishing 2nd and 3rd in his rookie season, I think expectations were high for him at the 1-mile racetrack. Plain and simple, he didn't deliver. He finished 2 laps down in the first New Hampshire and wasn't really that competitive. To be fair, I think he got a pit road penalty that put him down a lap. After that he lost another lap before finishing 31st. He finished 17th in the second race though. Which isn't terrible, even though it isn't great either. He been up and down at Phoenix so far in his career. But overall respectably. He just haven't gotten the finishes he deserved. Over the past 4 races at Phoenix, he have compiled 16.0 average finish, 8.0 average start, 12.5 average running position and 88.4 driver rating. He have qualified 12th or better for all 4 of his races at Phoenix. However only 2 of those 4 races have translated into top 15 finishes. He finished 20st in his debut in 2014 and 21st last fall shortened race. He was actually fairly solid for the first run of that fall race, but as the race went on his car faded down the leaderboard. Realistically I expect a finish anywhere from lower teens to higher teens at the shorter flats. Probably 13th-18th place range more specifically. Larson proven he can run well at both tracks, so he will have the potential to knock off some top 10s finishes. But I am not banking on that heading into the season.
Short tracks will be another decent type racetrack for Larson, but I expect him to be inconsistent with his finishes in 2016 like he was in his first two seasons. Last season on the short tracks (6 races), he compiled 18.2 average finish, 11.6 average start, 14.0 average running position and 89.2 driver rating. He probably will be his best at Bristol. In every race at Bristol, he have had a very competitive car. Over the past 4 races at Bristol, he have compiled 17.5 average finish, 21.5 average start, 13.8 average running position and 92.4 driver rating. He finished 10th, 12th and 7th in his first three starts. He actually led 90 laps last spring and eventually finished 7th. He had a fast car last summer at Bristol as well. But he ended up finding the wall and finished 41st. No doubt he was fast in that race. Bristol been a very good track for Kyle Larson and I am willing to bet, one of his first cup wins will come at Bristol. He also been pretty good at Richmond so far in his cup career. He been pretty decent so far. No top 10 finishes, but still pretty respectably. Over the past 4 races at Richmond, he have compiled 12.8 average finish, 8.0 average start, 13.8 average running position and 85.1 driver rating. Last season he had finishes of 11th and 12th last season. His finished 16th in his debut in 2014. Since? He have compiled 11.7 average finish, 10.3 average start, 11.0 average running position and 91.4 driver rating. His worst finish in those three starts is 12th. Pretty good numbers to have to start of your cup career! I don't think I need to tell you how bad Kyle Larson been at Martinsville so far in his cup career. He missed last spring race because of a illness. He probably wasn't too sad about that. Considering in 4 races at Martinsville, he have compiled 30.3 average finish, 17.0 average start, 25.3 average running position and 59.0 driver rating. His best career finish? 19th last fall. He was pretty decent in that race actually. Held 77.7 driver rating and 16.0 average running position. He completed about half that race inside the top 15. So by far his best race to date. His previous three races ended in 30th, 27th and 42nd. Larson will get a lot of finishes from 7th-15th at Bristol and Richmond. Anything beyond top 20 is probably asking for too much. Even though he had his best race by far last fall. Still one race means nothing. Overall the short tracks will be decent for him. Just expect some disappointment from time to time though.
Road Courses will be where Larson is a legitimate sleeper at. People don't really view Kyle as a great road course racer, but he been pretty good so far in his cup career. Which would be surprising to most. As Larson isn't really known for his road course skills. I would say WGI is his better track though. Over the past two races at WGI, he have compiled 8.0 average finish, 14.5 average start, 15.0 average running position and 89.7 driver rating. He finished 12th last season at WGI. He performed around that area for most of the race. He held 11.0 average running position and 99.9 driver rating. At Sonoma, he just have had terrible luck. Over the past two seasons at Sonoma, he have compiled 21.5 average finish, 3.5 average start, 12.5 average running position and 86.3 driver rating. In his debut in 2014, he was running top 10 before his power steering went out and had to gut out a 28th place finish. Last season, he finished 15th but he had a top 10 car in that race. He held 9.0 average running position and 98.4 driver rating. At road courses, I would expect finishes in the lower to middle teens from Larson, if everything goes according to plan. He will probably have a shot at the top 10 too, especially if he have a fast car.
The Plates will be a major weakness for Kyle Larson in 2016, if his first two seasons is any indication. He been absolutely terrible at Daytona. His best career Daytona finish? 34th last season's Daytona 500. In 4 career races at Daytona, he have never finished on the lead lap. 3 of those 4 races, he have could not finish the race. Ouch! That's isn't exactly ideal fantasy numbers to like, if you looking at him for the upcoming season's opener. He been better at Talladega, but that not really saying too much. In 4 races at Talladega, he have compiled 23.0 average finish, 26.8 average start, 19.0 average running position and 81.9 driver rating. He finished 9th and 17th in his rookie season, but much like most of his stats he nose-dived in 2015. He had finishes of 42nd and 24th. On the plus side, 3 of those 4 races he completed on the lead lap. His lone bad finish was in April 2015 where he wrecked out. At the plates, he will be nothing more than a top 20 potential driver and at Daytona he probably isn't even that honestly. Least not until he is able to actually finish a race.
Look I am not going to stand here and tell you how much potential and talent Kyle Larson have. You have seen that on display already. He wasn't great last season, but there was no doubt that he had speed almost every time he was on the track. If CGR can gain a little more speed like they had in 2014, then this kid could have a pretty stellar season. However his inconsistency and equipment will hold him back most weekends. I think he will contend for finishes in latter part of the top 10 to the anywhere in the lower to middle teens. More specifically probably from 7th-15th most weekends. Like I mentioned before, he will be inconsistent. So while his potential may be a top 10 or top 15 driver, you have to be prepared to be disappointed from time to time. Trust me, he will disappoint at certain tracks. I think his best shot at wins will come at the flats tracks or certain intermediate tracks. He will also be strong at Bristol and the road courses as well. Realistically I am not expecting him to win though.
Twitter - @JeffNathans
