Jimmie Johnson 2015 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Jimmie Johnson 2014 Stats: Points Finish 11th, 1 Pole, 4 Wins, 11 Top Fives, 20 Top Tens, Average Running Position 12.7, Average Finish 15.3, Laps Led 1,310, Driver Rating 99.1
Strengths – Jimmie Johnson is the premiere driver of this generation and he’s capable of winning anywhere. Last year was an off-year and I wouldn’t hold that against him. Chad Knaus is the best crew chief in the business and he’s been working overtime this off-season to get Johnson back up to speed.
Weaknesses – Jimmie Johnson is very prone to slumps which can ruin your fantasy season. When he’s in a slump it’s best to avoid him and wait until “the storm has passed”.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson has been extremely successful at intermediate tracks throughout his career. He’s more than capable of winning at any of these venues. The only intermediate tracks he’s winless at are Chicagoland, Kentucky and Homestead and if those venues were visited more frequently there’s no doubt he would have wins at them also.
In 2014 all four of Johnson’s wins came on this track type. Also at these venues he scored the second most points and had a 10.3 average finish
In 2015 look for him to once again be one of the strongest drivers at intermediate tracks and you can probably pencil him in for at least another four wins.
2015 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule <— Print yours today!
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson is capable of winning at all the flat tracks, both big and small. I like him more at the big flat tracks. At Indy he’s been to victory lane four times but there is a hero or zero factor about him at that venue. Last season he was a little off and finished 14th. In the two Indy races prior to that event he had results of 1st and 2nd.
At Pocono since the track was repaved Johnson has arguably been the best driver. Last August he had top five potential but was involved in an accident and finished 39th. In June 2014 he finished 6th. Since Pocono was repaved minus the race last August Johnson has a 7.6 average finish and a 9.8 average running position. Also up until his 39th place finish in August he had 14 straight top 14’s.
At New Hampshire Johnson has been very strong recently. In 5 of the last 6 races he’s finished in the top 7. Last September in the Chase he finished 5th. In July 2014 he had multiple flat tires early and finished 43rd. Prior to that race he had four straight top 7 results. At Phoenix he’s run very well throughout his career. Since 2012 in the desert as long as he’s avoided problems he’s been a lock for a top 6 result.
Check out his teammates fantasy NASCAR previews: Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson is an extremely capable short track driver. At Martinsville he’s been to victory lane 8 times and should always be on your short list of fantasy options. In spring 2014 he came up 11 laps short of win number #9. In the fall race his afternoon was spoiled by a vibration around lap 100 while running in 3rd. Later in that event he faced some additional adversity. Excluding last fall’s race and his first overall start at Martinsville he’s only finished outside the top ten twice and those results were finishes of 11th and 12th.
At Bristol Johnson has been to victory lane once but he’s been very competitive. In August he raced his way to a 4th place finish. In spring 2014 he potentially had the best car but he had a flat tire early that dropped him down multiple laps after he paced the field for 44 circuits. Since 2009 at Thunder Valley he’s finished in the top ten in 8 of the last 12 races.
At Richmond Jimmie Johnson has been a streaky driver. He’s gone through periods of great success and periods of consistent bad finishes. Last season he ran fairly well in both races. In the regular season finale he finished 8th. In spring 2014 he had top ten potential but had tire issues 2/3rds through the race.
Check out our Jimmie Johnson Fantasy NASCAR Portal page
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Chad Knaus has found something on this track type that has worked well for Johnson. Over the last two seasons at plate tracks he’s been a serious contender and has had the strongest car running the bottom groove. That trait has differentiated him from the competition and it’s why he’ll be one of the drivers to beat again in 2015.
In July at Daytona Johnson got swept up in early “The Big One”. When he was involved in that accident he was running near the front. In the 2014 Daytona 500 he was very strong and finished 5th. In 2013 at Daytona he pulled out the broom and was the first driver to sweep both events since 1982.
Johnson has been good at Talladega but it hasn’t been as friendly to him. Last fall he ran well throughout the event leading the most laps (84 laps) but at the end he faded back in the running order to 24th. In spring 2014 Johnson was good but had problems at the end and finished 23rd. In 2013 Johnson arguably had the best car in both Talladega races,
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson is a really good road course racer. He’s strong at both venues. At Sonoma he’s a former champion and currently has 6 consecutive top ten finishes. Last season he finished 7th.
At Watkins Glen Johnson has also been strong. Last season he was top five good but got collected in a late wreck and finished 28th. Prior to that event he had three straight top tens. In 54% percent of his Watkins Glen starts he’s finished in the top ten.
