Kasey Kahne 2013 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Kasey Kahne 2012 Stats: Points Finish – 4th, 2 Wins, 12 Top Fives, 19 Top Tens, Average Running Position 12.6, Average Finish 13.1, Laps Led 282, Driver Rating 96.3
Strengths – Kasey Kahne is a strong performer at intermediate tracks and flat tracks. He’s also a viable option at short tracks.
Weaknesses – Kasey Kahne is a streaky driver and when he gets into a bad streak watch out! It could kill your fantasy NASCAR season. Also despite having a win on a road course I certainly wouldn’t say he’s ambidextrous.
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Intermediate Track Grade- A, Kasey Kahne is an elite intermediate track driver. He’s more than capable of winning at any of the twelve intermediate track venues on the schedule. In terms of pure talent on this track type Kasey Kahne might just be the best in the series. His only downside is that he lacks consistency.
When the series visits these tracks in 2013 look for Kahne to always be ranked as a Top Tier Elite or Front Runner Ranking driver. One variable that makes Kahne good on these tracks is his ability to adapt in races as the track conditions change. A testament to that is his four wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Last season on this track type Kahne scored the 11th most points and had 10 top ten finishes.
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Flat Track Grade- A-, Kasey Kahne is a strong performer at flat tracks. I like him at both the big flats and the small flats.
Last season on the small flat tracks Kahne was very good. He won the first race at New Hampshire and had two other top fives. If he didn’t crash early in the race at Phoenix in March then he likely would’ve ranked in the top three in this flat track sub group.
He didn’t have the best results at the big flats but I like him at those venues. Last season at Pocono he had finishes of 2nd and 29th. His 29th place finish deserves an asterisks because he crashed in that race while he was making his way to the front (Yahoo! Race Chart). When the series visits Pocono in 2013 put this former winner on your short list of favorites. Last season at Indy Kahne finished 12th which is pretty representative of how well he performed.
Short Track Grade- A-, In 2013 Kahne could potentially have his best season ever on this track type if he avoids trouble. He had problems in the first two races of 2012 but in the final four races he scored the 4th most points and had a 7.3 average finish. After what we seen out of him last season I wouldn’t be hesitant to pick him at any of these venues. He’s capable of getting a top ten in all of these races.
Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B, Last season at restrictor plate tracks Kahne scored the 7th most points and finished in the top ten in half the races. Relistically I think that’s about as good as you can expect from him. His finishes have never been the best on this track type. At Daytona he has a 17.3 average finish and at Talladega his average finish is 20.3. At restrictor plate tracks this year Chevy might have a slight edge on the competition. It’s reported that the Chevy’s front ends line up with their rear ends. That could be a big deal at the end of these races.
Road Course Track Grade- B, Kasey Kahne is a former road course winner but I wouldn’t recommend you pick him on these venues. His win came at Infineon in 2009. Overall though his track history isn’t good there. The following season after his win he finished 4th but his average finish in his seven other starts is 27.6.
Watkins Glen is arguably his worst track. He’s not terrible there but he’s never finished in the top ten. Kahne could be described as a consistent driver at that New York track. In all nine of his races he’s finished between 13th and 26th.
How to use from a Fantasy NASCAR Perspective in 2013? Kasey Kahne is an intermediate track ace but he also has strong fantasy value at flat tracks. If you’re in a non-allocation league this Hendrick entry is also worth a good look at Martinsville.
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