Kurt Busch 2012 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2011 Stats: Points Finish 11th, 2 Wins, 8 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens, Average Running Position 13.0, Average Finish 14.6, Laps Led 770, Driver Rating 93.7
Strengths- Kurt Busch is good at every track type but I don’t think his equipment will be this season. Phoenix Racing really has no strength. Last season in this ride Landon Cassill only had one top fifteen finish.
This season I think his strength will be his ability on restrictor plate tracks, road courses, and short tracks.
Weaknesses- NASCAR is a team sport and his move to Phoenix Racing will open up lots of weaknesses that haven’t been present in the past. Phoenix Racing is not a Stewart-Haas extension of Hendrick Racing. Just because it’s Hendrick equipment doesn’t mean it’s good. Do you really think they have the latest Hendrick technology in their cars? I don’t.
Also how good is his crew chief Nick Harrison? I’ve never heard of him.
Is the pit crew competitive? I wouldn’t count on it.
Beyond the team we also have to remember this is Kurt Busch. He’s proven to be his own worst enemy. When things don’t go good for him he’s going to let everybody know and that will have an impact.
Intermediate Track Grade- C+, Kurt Busch was nearly as solid as they come on intermediate tracks last season. If he was still at Penske I wouldn’t hesitate to give him an A-. However Phoenix Racing isn’t in the same league as Penske. On this track type we’ll see the biggest impact of his off season team transition. Look for a teens finish to come on his good days at these venues.
The only intermediate track I might recommend him at is Darlington. The “Lady in Black” is a skill track and his talent will help him overcome the odds.
Flat Track Grade- B, Traditionally I like Kurt Busch at three of the four flat tracks (New Hampshire, Phoenix and Pocono). This year I think he’ll have the most fantasy value at New Hampshire. I’m not as confident in him at Phoenix and Pocono anymore.
Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B+, He’s the best restrictor plate driver who’s never won a points paying race. The effect of his equipment will be the least visible on this track type. I’m pretty sure that’s why he said he’ll be the most excited to race at these venues for Phoenix Racing. In 2009 Brad Keselowski won at Talladega for Phoenix Racing.
Short Track Grade- B, Kurt Busch is good at two of the three short tracks. Ironically I think his move to Phoenix Racing will actually help him at his worst short track Martinsville. He’s won there before so it’s not like he’s an incapable driver. I’ve never liked Penske or Roush cars there.
At short tracks talent comes into play and I think Kurt Busch and Phoenix Racing will come to the track especially prepared on these race weekends.
Road Course Track Grade- B+, Kurt Busch is almost now essentially a road course ringer in many ways. His value is now significantly higher on this track type to people in allocation leagues.
Kurt is good at both tracks. The problem for him on this track type is that his ratio of good finishes to bad finishes is about 1 : 1.
How to use Kurt Busch from a Fantasy NASCAR Perspective in 2012? 2012 will be quite a change for fantasy racers in terms of how you use Kurt Busch. His intermediate track value is gone and that’s a significant change. This season I would focus on using him at plate tracks, road courses, short tracks and New Hampshire.
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