Kevin Harvick 2015 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Kevin Harvick 2014 Stats: Points Finish 1st, 8 Poles, 5 Wins, 14 Top Fives, 20 Top Tens, Average Running Position 9.5, Average Finish 12.9, Laps Led 2,137, Driver Rating 110.5
Strengths – Kevin Harvick is an elite performer across all the different track types. He’s one of a few drivers who’s capable of winning on any given Sunday. One notable strength of the #4 team from 2014 was starting up front and leading laps.
Weaknesses – Self-inflicted mistakes / parts failures are a concern.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Last year as long as Kevin Harvick avoided trouble on intermediate tracks he was a contender to win. In 2014 at these venues he won 3 races, scored the 6th most points, had the most top fives and had a 12.1 average finish. If he would’ve been able to avoid trouble at these venues he could’ve had around 7 wins and potentially scored the most points.
In the Chase at intermediate tracks he was dominant. He scored the most points, had the best driver rating, best average finish (5.7), best average running position (4.5) and led the most laps (581).
In 2015 I think it’s hard to see him being as competitive but he should still retain his elite fantasy value and win a couple races.
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Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick was very impressive at flat tracks last year. For the season at these venues he scored the 3rd most points and had an 8.4 average finish. If he didn’t run out of gas at New Hampshire in July he could’ve potentially accumulated the most points on this track type.
His best flat track right now is Phoenix. He has three straight wins there and has finished in the top two in 5 of the last 6 races. His one finish over this stretch outside the top two was due to a broken left front rotor.
At New Hampshire last fall he started in 3rd, finished 3rd and led 104 laps. In July he was top five good but ran out of gas late. In his career at the Magic Mile he has one win and has finished in the top ten 50% percent of the time.
Indy has been a good track for him. He’s a former champion and has a 10.7 average finish. Last year he started on the pole, led 12 laps and finished 8th.
Pocono has historically been his least successful flat track. Last August he had his best race ever finishing 2nd and leading 5 laps. Leading 5 laps doesn’t sound like a big deal but it should be noted he’s only led 10 laps there in his career. In 2015 I would pencil him in for a finish around 8th.
Read his teammates fantasy NASCAR previews: Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick can win at all three short tracks and he’s proven that in the past. On this track type last season minus his spring Bristol crash and fall Martinsville crash he had an 8.5 average finish.
His best chance for winning a race on this track type is Richmond. He’s won there three-times and has five straight top 11 results. Over the last five races he has a 7.6 average finish and a 7.6 average running position.
At Martinsville last fall he started in 33rd and finished 33rd. In that event he had top five potential but wrecked while running up front. His next two most recent results prior to that race were finishes of 6th and 7th.
Bristol has been his least successful short track recently. A good day for him there in recent years has typically been a result between 11th and 15th. In four of the last six races he finished within that range. In both races last year he was potentially good enough to win but his race wasn’t incident free.
Check out our Kevin Harvick Fantasy NASCAR Portal page
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick is one of the best plate racers in NASCAR. He’s knows how to make the right moves at these venues and he’s more than capable of going to victory lane.
At Talladega Harvick is a former champion and last year he swept the top ten with results of 7th and 9th. Since fall 2012 minus his spring 2013 wreck he’s finished in the top 12 every race.
Daytona has been a special venue for him and he’s been to victory lane twice. In July 2014 he was involved in an accident and finished 39th. In the 2014 Great American race he finished 13th. In summer 2013 he finished 3rd.
Read ALL of our driver previews!
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick had a great car at both road courses last year and probably could’ve won both events. At Sonoma he finished 20th but that result is deceiving. In that event he was caught up in a wreck. Before his accident he had the strongest car over long runs and led 23 laps. In three of the four Sonoma races prior to last year he finished in the top ten.
At Watkins Glen last year he was also fast and finished 7th despite a self-inflicted sand bag mistake which led to an unscheduled pit stop. In his four Watkins Glen races prior to last season he had an 11.3 average finish.
