David Ragan 2011 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2010 Stats: Points Finish 24th, 0 Wins, 0 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens, Average Finish 21.3, Average Running Position 21.9, Laps Led 13, Driver Rating 66.2
Will the 2008 David Ragan please come back. Really, I mean it. In 2010 David Ragan only finished in the top ten three times. I can’t imagine mega sponsor UPS being happy about this. There was some hope at the end of the season though. In two out of the last three intermediate track races Ragan finished in the top ten. His other top ten of the season was at Talladega.
Strengths – Ragan was good at the end of the season on intermediate tracks. When you go back to the retro 2008 Ragan his strength was consistency, restrictor plate tracks, and intermediate tracks.
Weaknesses – When you look at all of his finishes and realize he only finished in the top fifteen eight times then you know things aren’t good. There’s many weaknesses with this team right now.
Intermediate Track Grade- B-, Out of Ragan’s eight top fifteen finishes six of them (75% of top tens) came on intermediate tracks. A turning point for this team on this style of track was at Chicagoland when they finished 12th. After that race they stabilized as a 10th through 20th place car on these track week in and week out.
Flat Track Grade- C, In seven flat track races in 2010 Ragan’s average finish was 20.8. His best finish was 14th at Pocono. In five of the seven flat track races Ragan finished between 20th and 26th. In 2009 David Ragan didn’t even finish in the top twenty once on these tracks.
Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B, He only finished in the top ten once on these tracks in 2010 but Ragan has historically had a knack for plate racing. I believe he’ll be better at these tracks in 2011.
Short Track Grade- C, Both of Ragan’s best finishes on short tracks in 2010 came at Martinsville. Unfortunately 16th and 17th won’t cut it fantasy wise. His average finish on short tracks in 2010 was 23.5.
Road Course Track Grade- C-, If you’re wondering where Ragan’s consistency went, look no further. He’s consistent at Road Courses. He finished 25th at both Infineon and Watkins Glen.
How to use David Ragan from a Fantasy NASCAR perspective?
Focus on using David Ragan at intermediate tracks and restrictor plate tracks. When he gets his first win (someday) look for it to come at Talladega.
