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Road courses are quite difficult to make fantasy picks for in my opinion. I think these races are hard to predict sometimes, because all of the strategies being played out. At Sonoma, skill is more of a factor than at Watkin Glenn (WGI). Therefore, the sleeper aspect of the game is enhanced more than the usual race. With that being said, it can be a good thing or a bad thing. Obviously having a variety selection of ''potential'' sleepers is always a blessing. However, I think the problem is we sometimes lose track that these sleepers picks are sleepers for a reason. In simpler terms, there are usually some warning tags that these picks could lead to negative outcomes. A good example would be AJ Dinger over the past couple seasons. He have contended for wins, but the end results have been ugly. So those are a couple things to think about when making your fantasy picks. Okay let stop wasting time and get into today's content!
Sleepers -
AJ Dinger - Dinger is the first driver I think of when we come to Sonoma and Watkin Glenn, because of his history and his background. Dinger is a road course ace and only thing that have stopped him from finishing up front is his equipment. That is probably the only reason, he is categorized as a sleeper in the first place. Dinger just seems to get around these road courses better than anyone else and there isn't much doubt that he will be a strong contender in Sunday's race. But I think big question is will he be there at the end? I cannot really say, but honestly I get the feeling he is due for a solid finish at Sonoma. Listen to his numbers over the past two seasons: 37.0 average finish, 1.5 average starting position, 16.0 average running position and 101.8 driver rating. In basic terms, he been a strong performer at Sonoma but the results have not followed. However he have started on the front row the past two seasons, so there a good chance he will qualify well on Saturday. But will he finish is the big unknown.
Clint Bowyer - Bowyer is a great sleeper option to consider this week, as he been a stud at Sonoma even before his breakthrough victory lane during the 2012 season. I consider Sonoma as Clint's best track and his track record alone makes him a steal in my opinion. In only 10 career starts, Bowyer have finished inside the top 5 in 6 of 10 races. That is not even counting 4 straight Top 10 finishes in the previous 4 races at this place. Overall, Bowyer have finished 10th or better in 8 of his 10 career starts. With only one finish worse than 16th place and that was in 2010. I know some people will say, ''Oh Clint is in terrible equipment, he cannot contend here.'' I call bullshit right there. He finished 3rd here last season and posted an 112.3 driver rating (4th-best) and 8.0 average running position (4th-best) with MWR. And honestly MWR was pretty bad last season, so he really isn't getting much of a downgrade in equipment. Maybe a little, but doubt it will matter a whole lot though. Also remember this is the same race team that had Kurt Busch in 2012 score a top 5 finish. And Bowyer is probably a little better at Sonoma when looking at the numbers. Not saying, he is lock to finish inside the top 5. But I think Clint is in for a solid run at Sonoma. Honestly, if Clint cannot run well here then I don't think he will anywhere.
Casey Mears - Say hello to my secret weapon this weekend at Sonoma! You probably like, ''Hold up, Garry..why the love for Mears this week?'' Great question and one that will be answer. You see, he is somewhat of an gangster on the road courses. Not winning potential, but you get my point. I think Mears is pretty underrated on both Watkin Glenn and Sonoma, and in my opinion is arguably at his best on this type of racetrack. He good on the restrictor plates too, but that is more luck than anything though. Mears was impressive here last season and was top 10 good before he had to make a early trip to the garage. His numbers for that event was pretty good still despite finishing 13 laps down. In last season's race at Sonoma, he started 8th, finished 33rd, posted 18.0 average running position and 68.4 driver rating. Not bad numbers at all. Not the first time he have found success with the #13 team at Sonoma, either. Since the 2012 season, Mears have been pretty solid overall in the #13 car. He have posted 20.5 average finish, 15.3 average start, 18.3 average running position and 75.4 driver rating. Prior to finishing 33rd last season, he had finishes of 13th through 16th place from 2012 to 2014 seasons. Also a interesting note that Mears have qualified 12th and 8th the past two seasons. Overall Mears have been a solid finisher on the road courses. Over his past 8 road courses races (at both Sonoma and Watkin Glenn), he have finished 7 of 8 races inside the top 18. Again only non-top 18 finish was last June when he had to go to the garage. Pretty damn good in my opinion, I have high hopes for him!
Have a question or something?
Email - briggs_garry48@yahoo.com
Twitter - @Garryy12
Road courses are quite difficult to make fantasy picks for in my opinion. I think these races are hard to predict sometimes, because all of the strategies being played out. At Sonoma, skill is more of a factor than at Watkin Glenn (WGI). Therefore, the sleeper aspect of the game is enhanced more than the usual race. With that being said, it can be a good thing or a bad thing. Obviously having a variety selection of ''potential'' sleepers is always a blessing. However, I think the problem is we sometimes lose track that these sleepers picks are sleepers for a reason. In simpler terms, there are usually some warning tags that these picks could lead to negative outcomes. A good example would be AJ Dinger over the past couple seasons. He have contended for wins, but the end results have been ugly. So those are a couple things to think about when making your fantasy picks. Okay let stop wasting time and get into today's content!
Sleepers -
AJ Dinger - Dinger is the first driver I think of when we come to Sonoma and Watkin Glenn, because of his history and his background. Dinger is a road course ace and only thing that have stopped him from finishing up front is his equipment. That is probably the only reason, he is categorized as a sleeper in the first place. Dinger just seems to get around these road courses better than anyone else and there isn't much doubt that he will be a strong contender in Sunday's race. But I think big question is will he be there at the end? I cannot really say, but honestly I get the feeling he is due for a solid finish at Sonoma. Listen to his numbers over the past two seasons: 37.0 average finish, 1.5 average starting position, 16.0 average running position and 101.8 driver rating. In basic terms, he been a strong performer at Sonoma but the results have not followed. However he have started on the front row the past two seasons, so there a good chance he will qualify well on Saturday. But will he finish is the big unknown.
Clint Bowyer - Bowyer is a great sleeper option to consider this week, as he been a stud at Sonoma even before his breakthrough victory lane during the 2012 season. I consider Sonoma as Clint's best track and his track record alone makes him a steal in my opinion. In only 10 career starts, Bowyer have finished inside the top 5 in 6 of 10 races. That is not even counting 4 straight Top 10 finishes in the previous 4 races at this place. Overall, Bowyer have finished 10th or better in 8 of his 10 career starts. With only one finish worse than 16th place and that was in 2010. I know some people will say, ''Oh Clint is in terrible equipment, he cannot contend here.'' I call bullshit right there. He finished 3rd here last season and posted an 112.3 driver rating (4th-best) and 8.0 average running position (4th-best) with MWR. And honestly MWR was pretty bad last season, so he really isn't getting much of a downgrade in equipment. Maybe a little, but doubt it will matter a whole lot though. Also remember this is the same race team that had Kurt Busch in 2012 score a top 5 finish. And Bowyer is probably a little better at Sonoma when looking at the numbers. Not saying, he is lock to finish inside the top 5. But I think Clint is in for a solid run at Sonoma. Honestly, if Clint cannot run well here then I don't think he will anywhere.
Casey Mears - Say hello to my secret weapon this weekend at Sonoma! You probably like, ''Hold up, Garry..why the love for Mears this week?'' Great question and one that will be answer. You see, he is somewhat of an gangster on the road courses. Not winning potential, but you get my point. I think Mears is pretty underrated on both Watkin Glenn and Sonoma, and in my opinion is arguably at his best on this type of racetrack. He good on the restrictor plates too, but that is more luck than anything though. Mears was impressive here last season and was top 10 good before he had to make a early trip to the garage. His numbers for that event was pretty good still despite finishing 13 laps down. In last season's race at Sonoma, he started 8th, finished 33rd, posted 18.0 average running position and 68.4 driver rating. Not bad numbers at all. Not the first time he have found success with the #13 team at Sonoma, either. Since the 2012 season, Mears have been pretty solid overall in the #13 car. He have posted 20.5 average finish, 15.3 average start, 18.3 average running position and 75.4 driver rating. Prior to finishing 33rd last season, he had finishes of 13th through 16th place from 2012 to 2014 seasons. Also a interesting note that Mears have qualified 12th and 8th the past two seasons. Overall Mears have been a solid finisher on the road courses. Over his past 8 road courses races (at both Sonoma and Watkin Glenn), he have finished 7 of 8 races inside the top 18. Again only non-top 18 finish was last June when he had to go to the garage. Pretty damn good in my opinion, I have high hopes for him!
Have a question or something?
Email - briggs_garry48@yahoo.com
Twitter - @Garryy12
