Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 2014 Fantasy NASCAR Preview

2013 Stats: Points Finish 19th, 1 Pole, 0 Wins, 1 Top Five, 3 Top Tens, Average Running Position 20.6, Average Finish 18.9, Laps Led 35, Driver Rating 70.02

Strengths- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be at his best on intermediate tracks and restrictor plate tracks this upcoming season. Another strength of his that flies below the radar is that he does a pretty good job avoiding trouble on the track.

Weaknesses- In 2014 I would recommend you avoid picking Stenhouse Jr. at big flat tracks, road courses, and Martinsville.

Intermediate Track Grade- B+, I expect Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to show the most improvement on this track type in 2014. In the last quarter of 2013 on this track type he started to show promise at these venues. I expect the 17 team to build on that this upcoming season. Also another factor that I think will help him is that I expect Roush Fenway Racing to be more competitive as an organization. Last year was sort of an off-year for the team on this track type.

Flat Track Grade- C+, Last season on the big flat tracks Ricky Stenhouse Jr. struggled. In all three races on this sub track type he had results of 25th or worse. Also at those venues he had a 28.3 average running position and only ran in the top fifteen in 2% percent of the laps completed.

On small flat tracks I think he has dark horse fantasy value at Phoenix. Last season at that venue he had results of 16th and 12th. That track is similar to Richmond and he had some success there last season. At New Hampshire I think his fantasy value will continue to stay low.

Short Track Grade- B, In 2014 I think Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will have moderate fantasy value at both Bristol and Richmond. Last season at Thunder Valley he had results of 16th and 18th. At Richmond he had results of 16th and 10th. At Martinsville I think he’ll continue to struggle. Last season at Martinsville he had results of 25th and 31st.

Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B+, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was a safe fantasy option in 2013. On restrictor plate tracks last season he scored the 3rd most points and had a 9.8 average finish. The only two other drivers with a single digit average finish were Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Last season at Daytona Stenhouse Jr. had results of 11th and 12th. At Talladega he performed well in both races last season. In the fall race he had his best career finish and had a 3rd place result. In the spring Talladega race he would’ve finished 2nd if the race didn’t go back to green flag racing.

Road Course Track Grade- C+, I think it’s safe to assume Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is no road course ringer. Last season at Infineon he started in 37th and finished 27th. At Watkins Glen he finished 18th. In the lower series his performances on serpentine tracks were also sub par.

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