Erik Jones 2020 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Erik Jones 2019 Stats: Points Finish 16th, 1 Win, 10 Top Fives, 17 Top Tens, 16.3 Average Finish, 14.9 Average Running Position, 172 Laps Led, 85.12 Driver Rating
Strengths:
In 2020, look for Erik Jones to be at his best at intermediate tracks, flat tracks and road courses.
At intermediate tracks, I really like him particularly at 1.5 mile tracks.
Weaknesses:
Erik Jones is a very streaky driver and when he gets in a cold streak, watch out because he’ll ruin your fantasy season.
Talladega, Martinsville, Indy and the Charlotte Roval have been notable weak spots.
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – A-
Erik Jones is a strong performer at intermediate tracks who ranked as one of the better performers in 2019. He got his second career win on this track type last season (Darlington), and for the year minus his misleading results (Charlotte, Michigan #1 & #2, Las Vegas #2) he had a 10.1 average finish and an 11.8 average running position.
What I really liked about Erik Jones is how strong he closed out 2019 on this track type. In 2019 from Chicagoland to the end of the season minus his misleading results (Michigan #2 and Las Vegas #2), Jones had a 6.6 average finish and an 8.9 average running position.
At intermediate tracks, 1.5 mile tracks were a key strength. Last year over his 9 incident free races (crashed at Charlotte and Las Vegas #2) his average finish was an impressive 6.3.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – A-
Erik Jones is a very capable performer at both the bigger and the shorter-flat tracks. Last year in his combined incident free races on this track type he had a 6.6 average finish (Had problems at Phoenix #1 and Indy, also crediting him with a 4th place finish at Richmond before NASCAR penalized him).
Last year at the bigger flat tracks, Jones had a phenomenal season. He crashed at Indy, but at Pocono he had results of 2nd and 3rd. I’ll note, Pocono ranks as one of his very best tracks and minus spring 2018 he’s had a result in the top 8 every race and his average finish is 4.2. At Indy, he’s crashed in 2 of his 3 races, but in his one incident free race he finished 2nd.
Last year at shorter-flat tracks, Jones ranked as one of the better performers. He had problems at Phoenix #1 (Finished a misleading 29th), had a mediocre Richmond #1 (14th), but over the final three races he had a 4.6 average finish (crediting him with a 4th at Richmond #2).
In 2020 at flat tracks when Jones avoids trouble, I would look for him to finish in the top ten and compete for a top five.
Short Track Fantasy Value – B
Erik Jones is a respectable performer at short tracks and if it wasn’t for Martinsville, I would probably give him an A-.
Martinsville is a standout weak spot on the schedule for Jones. His average finish is 21.8 and over his six races he only has one top fifteen finish. Last year he finished 20th in the fall and finished 30th in the spring. I would definitely avoid him there.
At Richmond, Jones has been pretty solid. Minus his first start (crash) and crediting him with a 4th place finish last fall his average finish is 9.6. In the three Richmond races prior to that he had results of 14th, 11th and 13th.
Bristol is arguably his best short track, and don’t be surprised if he competes for the win despite him having finished in the 20’s in 3 of the last 5 races. Last year he had clunker results in the low-twenties (22nd and 24th), but make no mistake he was competitive in those races. In the spring he made an unexpected pit stop right after he led 10 laps. In the summer he led 23 laps but also had problems. In 2018 he finished 5th in the summer, but finished a misleading 26th in the spring. In summer 2017 he led 260 laps and finished 2nd.
Superspeedway Fantasy Value – B-
Erik Jones has playability at Daytona, but at Talladega he’s been horrendous.
At Daytona, Jones won in summer 2018 and in 3 of the last 5 races he’s finished in the top ten. Last year, Jones had problems in both races. He finished 23rd in the summer and in the Daytona 500 he overcame adversity to finish 3rd.
At Talladega, Jones has a 28.2 average finish and in 4 of his 6 races he’s had a DNF. Last year he finished 34th in the fall and 19th in the spring. In fall 2018 he had his best result and finished 8th. In his three races prior to that he finished in the 30’s.
Road Course Fantasy Value – B+
Erik Jones is a solid road course racer who’s finished in the top ten in 5 of the last 7 races.
The two races he failed to finish in the top ten were both at the Charlotte Roval. Last year at the Roval, nobody had a shorter race then Jones and he finished 40th. In 2018 he had trouble all weekend and finished 30th.
Watkins Glen has been a great track for Jones and he’s 3 for 3 in terms of finishing in the top ten. His average finish is 6.3 and he’s finished better in each new race. Last year he finished 4th, in the two prior races he had results of 5th and 10th.
At Sonoma, Jones has back to back top tens. Last year he finished 8th, in 2018 he finished 7th.
