Ryan Newman 2015 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2014 Stats: Points Finish 2nd, 0 Poles, 0 Wins, 5 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens, Average Running Position 14.4, Average Finish 12.7, Laps Led 41, Driver Rating 86.7
Strengths – Consistency mixed with moderately strong performances carried Ryan Newman far last season. Look for his best performances in 2015 to come at intermediate tracks, flat tracks and short tracks.
Weaknesses – One weakness of Ryan Newman’s last season is that his team lacked speed to truly be competitive. Evidence of that is his 41 laps led in 2014.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
Last season at intermediate tracks Ryan Newman scored the 7th most points and had an 11.7 average finish. He wasn’t one of the fastest performers but he was one of the most consistent. In the 17 races on this track type he only had 2 top fives but he did finish in the top twenty in every race but one. His 16 top 20’s tied him with Jeff Gordon for the most in the series.
Don’t look for Ryan Newman to win at these venues in 2015. His last win on this track type was in 2004!
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Flat Track Fantasy Value – High
Flat tracks were an area of strength for Newman in 2014. At these venues last season he had 1 top five and a 9.6 average finish. Also on this track type he had four top tens and a result in the top twenty every race.
Pocono has been a good track for Newman. In the last 5 races at the “Tricky Triangle” he has results of 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Also since the track was repaved his 7.0 average finish ranks as the best in the series.
Indy is the site of his most recent win. In 2013 he started on the pole and raced his way to victory lane. Last August he finished 11th. In his last four Indy starts he has a 7.8 average finish and the 7th best driver rating.
His best flat track is New Hampshire. He’s won three times and has finished in the top ten 62% percent of the time. Last year he had results of 5th and 18th.
At Phoenix since the track reconfiguration as long as he’s avoided trouble he’s performed well. In his trouble free races he’s finished in the top 11 every event. Last season he had results of 7th and 11th.
Read his teammates fantasy NASCAR previews: Austin Dillon and Paul Menard
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
Ryan Newman performed well on short tracks last season and was consistent. On this track type in 2014 he scored the 5th most points, had an 11.5 average result and was one of four drivers who finished in the top twenty every race. In half the races on this track type last season he finished in the top ten. However, it should be noted that in none of these races was he a serious contender.
Last season at Richmond Newman had results of 8th and 9th. In fall 2013 at RIR he would’ve gone to victory lane if Clint Bowyer didn’t do his funny business at the end. Since fall 2011 at Richmond he has the 9th best driver rating, a 9.4 average finish and a 12.0 average running position.
At Martinsville Newman’s a former winner and last fall he finished 3rd. That marked his first top ten since his spring 2012 victory. In spring 2014 he finished 20th. In 2013 he had a disastrous season and finished in the 30’s both events.
Bristol has been an OK track for him. Last season he had two results in the teen’s. In 2013 he finished 7th and 21st.
Check out our Ryan Newman Fantasy NASCAR Portal page
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Moderate
I have a hard time trusting Ryan Newman at plate tracks. Last season on this track type he had one top ten and his three other results were between 18th and 24th. His average finish at these two venues is 20.3 (Daytona) and 20.9 (Talladega).
At Daytona last season he had finishes of 22nd and 24th. He wasn’t very competitive in either event. Prior to last season he had three straight top tens. Between the 2012 Daytona 500 and his 2008 win he had a 27.3 average finish. In his career at Daytona he’s only finished in the top twenty 46% percent of the time.
If you’re looking to pick Newman at a plate track picking him in the fall Talladega race is the way to go. In that particular event he now has three straight top tens. At Talladega in his career he’s finished in the top twenty 54% percent of the time.
Check out all of our 2015 fantasy NASCAR mock drafts
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Moderate
Ryan Newman is no road course ringer and I wouldn’t want my fantasy fate in his hands at those venues. On road courses I would describe his fantasy value as moderately high.
His success on this track type is front loaded in his career. Recently on this track type a good day for him has meant a result between 11th and 20th. In four of the last five Sonoma races he’s finished between 11th and 18th. Also in those five races he has a 17.0 average finish, 17.0 average running position and the 16th best driver rating. Last season he finished 11th. His last top ten there was in 2008.
Much like Sonoma his best success at Watkins Glen is also front loaded. At Watkins Glen last season he was involved in a spectacular wreck which brought out the red flag and as a result he finished 41st. In the four Watkins Glen races prior to last season he finished between 11th and 16th. Just like Sonoma his last top ten at Watkins Glen was also in 2008.
