Kyle Larson 2015 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Kyle Larson 2014 Stats: Points Finish 17th, 1 Pole, 0 Wins, 8 Top Fives, 17 Top Tens, Average Running Position 15.9, Average Finish 14.2, Laps Led 53, Driver Rating 84.7
Strengths – In 2015 look for Kyle Larson to emerge as one of the elite drivers at intermediate tracks and flat tracks.
Weaknesses – I wouldn’t recommend picking Kyle Larson at a restrictor plate track. They weren’t friendly to him last year and his fantasy value is much higher elsewhere.
Another potential weakness is his team. At the end of the day I don’t think Chip Ganassi Racing can keep up with the “big boys”.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kyle Larson was very fast at high-speed intermediate tracks last year especially at the end of the season. In the Chase on this track type he scored the 2nd most points, had a 6.2 average finish, 9.8 average running position and had a top ten in 5 of the 6 races. In all six of these races he finished in the top fifteen.
In 2015 on this track type I expect him to be one of the best drivers in the series. One strength of Larson’s on this track type is that he has a knack at finding the fastest groove around the track.
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Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kyle Larson was one of the surprise performers of the season on flat tracks in 2014. At these venues last year he scored the 4th most points, had an 8.7 average finish and an 11.7 average running position. Look for his best flat track to be New Hampshire. He ran extremely well at that venue last season and had results of 2nd and 3rd. Phoenix is the other shorter flat track and he didn’t run quite as well there. At Phoenix last season he wasn’t competitive in the spring and in the fall he finished 13th.
Horsepower is important at the big flat tracks and with his Hendrick horsepower he found success. At Indy last season in his first start he came home with a 7th place result. The Tricky Triangle didn’t have a high level of difficulty for him. He finished 5th in June and in August he started on the pole and finished 11th.
Read his teammates fantasy NASCAR preview: Jamie McMurray
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
In 2015 on short tracks I would look for Larson to show improvement. At Bristol next season I expect him to contend for top five finishes. He’s had success at that venue in the lower series and last year he came home with results of 10th and 12th.
At Richmond next season I think he’ll contend for top ten finishes. Last season at that venue he had results of 11th and 16th. I consider Richmond a “shorter flat track” and right now Chip Ganassi Racing has found speed at those venues.
At Martinsville his fantasy value leaves a lot to be desired. It hasn’t been a friendly venue to him. Last season at the paper clip he had results of 27th and 30th.
Check out our Kyle Larson Fantasy NASCAR Portal page
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Moderate
Restrictor plate tracks were a low point for Larson. On this track type he had one top ten and a 25.0 average finish. Between the two venues he had more success at Talladega. At that “Wild Card” venue he finished 9th in the spring and 17th in the fall. Daytona was more trying on the young rookie. In the Daytona 500 he had multiple problems and his day ended early after getting involved in a wreck. In July he didn’t survive the carnage and finished 36th.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – High
Road courses are venues where drivers improve as they gain experience. Kyle Larson has already proven himself pretty good during his rookie year so he don’t overlook him in 2015.
Last year at Watkins Glen Larson finished 4th. At Sonoma he started in 3rd and ran within the top ten for the first half of the race until he started having power steering issues.
Kyle Larson Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet Page
