Sunday, September 25, 2016

Fantasy Nascar Sleepers (New Hampshire)

Welcome to TimersSports

It has been a long time (Daytona race), since I have had a chance to write up any fantasy nascar content, however life sometimes comes first. Anyhow, I am excited to write up some content for this weekend at New Hampshire. I love Fantasy Nascar and boy do I love employing sleepers in all of my fantasy lineups. If I see a value pick just laying around and nobody else catch on, you can bet I will find a way to employ him (or her) in my lineups. And a lot of times, it is usually the small names. The names you don't really expect, are the ones you can really gain a lot of ground with. So if you are looking for a way to win your leagues this week, don't look for the obvious names. Chances are you have them on your lineup, just like everyone else. What will set you apart is finding that hidden gem who starts in middle of the pack. Anyhow, I have never been a fan of talking much in my fantasy nascar posts, so let's just dig into today's stuff. I got a lot of good stuff on tap too!

Fantasy Nascar Sleepers -

Aric Almirola - Tonight I was browsing through the backend fantasy choices on Nascar.com and after some research, I started laughing because I have the potential to get away with highway robbery. Okay not really, but he's a very good fantasy choice. You are probably thinking, ''Garry, what the heck are you on right now? Aric Almirola is terrible.'' Yeah okay, fine he's terrible. But not on the short-flat racetracks though. This season, he has finished 21st or better at all 4 races on the short-flat racetracks. In fact, he has finished 17th and 19th at the last two short-flat races this season. Including 19th place run back here in July. Digging deeper into the data pool, he has finished 19th or better in 3 of the past 4 races at this track, too. Okay, still not convinced? Alright, that's fine. Go and look at all other other options for $16.50 or less (on Fantasy Live). Then tell me, does any one of them have a chance to finish inside the top 20 and move up at least 5 spots? Maybe Danica Patrick from 24th place, but other than that no other driver has a legit shot to finish inside the top 20. For your 4th driver in your lineup at $13.00, you are possibly getting a steal. If you can find the right pieces, you could make an extremely strong and well-balanced lineup. Of the other major games, I don't really love him that much. He should make good fantasy choice on Draft kings, if you are in a pinch. At just $6,100. Cheap option and better than most drivers in his price range. Much like Fantasy Live, he would be a solid backend driver of your rotation. I wouldn't even go near on Yahoo, as his ceiling is way too low. Fox Sports, he also could make a decent options since the game is based around position differential. I don't play on that site, so I wouldn't be much of help there. Overall, I really like him for salary cap leagues which offer position differential. That's where I expect him to be the most powerful at.

Casey Mears - Mears isn't a super well-known fantasy option as he has been inconsistent at times this season, so his fantasy value seems to go up and down depending how he is doing. Of late, there isn't a lot to love about him. But his recent history at this track really makes him a appealing fantasy choice from the 31st starting position. Especially in leagues that rewards position differential. At New Hampshire, Mears has finished 22nd or better in 3 of the past 4 races overall. He finished 27th earlier this season, but has had finishes of 18th and 22nd in the past two chase races at this track. In practice this weekend, he has looked good on the speed charts. He finished 25th and 27th single-fastest lap overall in the two sessions on Saturday afternoon. In final practice, he also posted the 30th-best ten lap average. So not a great ten-lap average at all, but it's not concerning to me. Mears doesn't have a great car that will go battle inside the top 20, but I think he has the potential top 25 finish before the checkers waves. If he can stay on the lead lap, then he should be able to finish inside the low-20s. More positive news? He has finished 25th or better in 7 of the past 8 races this season. Last week at Chicagoland, he finished 34th. He had to make an unscheduled pit stop and then sped on pit road. He went multiple laps down and well there went his day. Mears is a good trendy-choice of late, who could be an asset in certain fantasy formats!

Ricky Stenhouse Jr - In case, you weren't aware, Ricky Stenhouse Jr is on a roll of late. He has finished 18th or better in 6 of the past 9 Sprint Cup races. The last two races on this type of track? 18th and 10th for Stenhouse. When looking at his results as a whole on flat racetracks, he has been very impressive. I am not just talking about Richmond and New Hampshire. But the larger tracks of Pocono and Indy. Listen to his last 5 finishes of flat racetracks this season: 18th, 18th, 10th, 12th and 15th. This was after starting the season with finishes of 37th and 26th. I am just blown away by that to be honest. You just don't see that sort of production out of RFR anymore, but yet Stenhouse Jr is quietly knocking off quality finishes on this type of track. Short or large, he has been pretty good. He wasn't anything special in practice, but knowing Stenhouse he will be inside the top 20 when it's matters the most. I am still on the Stenhouse wagon, much like I was at start of the year.

Email - briggs_garry48@yahoo.com

Twitter - @Garryy12