Clint Bowyer 2010 Fantasy NASCAR Preview

[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=clint+bowyer&iid=5006761″ src=”a/b/9/0/ToyotaSave_Mart_350_8b0c.jpg?adImageId=8801700&imageId=5006761″ width=”234″ height=”156″ /]Clint Bowyer

2009 Stats: Points Finish 15th, 0 Wins, 4 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens, Average Finish 15.0, Average Position 16.5, Laps Led 40, Driver Rating 82.9

Just like teammates Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton the 33 team and Clint Bowyer were the victims of bad cars being built at the shop. The year started off promising for Bowyer as he tried to prove critics wrong that his new team could make the Chase. They did so until April when their overall performances plummeted. Heading into the 2010 season there is reasons for fantasy racing optimism in Clint Bowyer. He ended the 2009 season racing among the top 10 in almost every race. 2009 was really a dismal year for the big 3 RCR drivers, but don’t forget that in 2008 they finished 4th, 5th, and 6th in points.

Strengths- The hallmark of RCR racing is to wear out their competitors with consistency. Clint Bowyer is a remarkably consistent driver and it’s unlikely his engine will blow up or that he will take himself out. Clint Bowyer is also one of the best drivers in the series on the short tracks.

Weaknesses- The performances of the 33 weren’t really all that bad at the intermediate tracks in 2009, but RCR as a whole is always a step behind other teams on these tracks.

Intermediate Track Grade- B+, Every once in a while at the intermediate tracks Clint Bowyer looked lost on them. He had plenty of top tens on them but not a single top five last season.

Flat Track Grade- B, Many people like to think Clint Bowyer is a good flat track driver but I would argue he’s a tad overrated on them. He collected his first win at New Hampshire in 2007 but since then he hasn’t really looked like a contender on the flats. He’s had some good finishes but I personally don’t think he’s challenged for any wins. Last season wasn’t really all that good for him either at these tracks. His average finish was a respectable 13.7, but this was largely saved by improved runs in the second half of the season.

Restrictor Plate Grade- B, In 2008 Clint Bowyer had 4 top tens on the restrictor plate tracks. In 2009 he wasn’t as fortunate. Last season he only had one top ten on these tracks and that was the season opening Daytona 500.

Short Track Grade- A, Clint Bowyer is easily among the best in the series on the short tracks. He doesn’t have the wins to substantiate this claim but in 2010 you’ll most likely find him towards the front of the pack on these tracks. He’s a very capable driver at all three of them.

Road Course Track Grade- A-, When people think of road courses most likely Clint Bowyer isn’t the first name that comes to your mind. In his career he’s been extremely proficient on these tracks and in 2009 he backed it up with 2 top tens. His average finish at Infineon is 8.0 and his average finish at Watkins Glen is 15.5.

How to use Clint Bowyer from a fantasy racing perspective in 2010?

Focus on really using Clint Bowyer at the short tracks.

He won’t get you wins but he’s a safe all around pick almost anywhere because he avoids DNF’s. Because of his versatility and if you have the right spot in your NASCAR draft to get Bowyer late then you’ll have a good chance of winning your league. Just don’t pick him to early or you’ll ruin the sleeper aspect of him.

Click HERE for more Clint Bowyer Stats

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