AJ Allmendinger 2010 Fantasy NASCAR Preview

[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=aj+allmendinger&iid=7811489″ src=”a/f/5/7/NASCAR_05_February_c851.jpg?adImageId=9954791&imageId=7811489″ width=”234″ height=”156″ /]AJ Allmendinger

2009 Stats- Points Finish 24th, 0 Wins, 1 Top 5, 6 Top tens, Average finish 22.4, Average position 23.2, Laps led 0, Driver rating 66.6

At the start of the 2009 season nothing was certain for AJ Allmendinger except that he would run a few races. Things started to quickly change for Allmendinger when he finished 3rd in the season opening Daytona 500. This good finish opened up sponsors eyes and soon more and more companies started to jump on board to sponsor Allmendinger. 2010 will be a year of change for AJ. He will be in a different make of car, and he also will have Bestbuy on board as his sponsor. Allmendinger also will find himself starting in a unfamilar position to start the season, he will be locked in the top 35 in owners points for the first time in his career(at the start of the season).

Strengths- AJ Allmendingers is a pretty well-rounded driver. He doesn’t seem to really excel at anything particularly but he’s usually just a couple steps behind the big guys.

Weaknesses- When Allmendinger struggles it usually happens in consecutive weeks. Him and this team need to learn how to bounce back quicker.

Intermediate Track Grade- B-, For the most part Allmendinger finishes in the teens at these tracks. Towards the end of the season Allmndinger’s performance at this type of track improved.

Flat Track Grade- C, Allmendinger really struggled at these tracks last year. His last flat track finish of the year was by far his best showing of 2009. I would definitely avoid him at these tracks.

Restrictor Plate Track Grade- C+, Allmendinger’s best finish of the season happened in the first race of the season. If that was the cut off line for restrictor plate tracks I would give him an A. Unfortunately it’s not. AJ was never able to back up that finish.

Short Track Grade- C+, His average finish(23.3)  in 2009 on the short tracks was far from stellar. He is a capable driver at times on these tracks but once again for the most part I would avoid him at this track type.

Road Courses Track Grade- B+, The former open wheel star showed life at these track in the 2009. AJ finished 7th at Infineon and 13th at Watkins Glen.

How to use AJ Allmendinger from a fantasy racing perspective in 2010?

I would recommend fantasy racers use AJ primarily at intermediate tracks where he is an excellent option in his tier of drivers.  AJ is also a good option at road courses where he has honed his skills at before his NASCAR career.

Click HERE for more AJ Allmendinger Stats

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