Chase Elliott 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Strengths – In Chase Elliott’s rookie year I fully expect to see him perform at his best at high-speed intermediate tracks. He’ll have an equipment advantage on much of the competition at those venues and in NASCAR’s lower division he’s run well. I also think he’ll be very competitive at big flat tracks.
Weaknesses – In 2016 I think Chase Elliott’s weaknesses will be at plate tracks and short tracks. One attribute that will be a weakness is his inexperience. Even though he’s a past champion in the Xfinity Series he’ll be a rookie all over and that means he’ll make mistakes.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
I think we’ll likely see Chase Elliott’s best days in 2016 come at high-speed intermediate tracks. Equipment is of utmost importance on this track type and the #24 Hendrick Chevrolet is about as good as it gets. Last year Chase Elliott made two starts in the Sprint Cup Series on this track type. His first start came in the Coca Cola 600. In that event he finished 18th and had a 23rd place average running position. His other start came at Darlington and in that event he was probably about 20th place good but wrecked.
Last year in the Xfinity Series he ran pretty well at intermediates. In the 17 races on this track type he had an 8.5 average finish. His strength at these venues was his consistency. Only once did he finish outside the top 14 and in that event he finished 24th.
In 2014 in the Xfinity Series he went to victory lane three-times on this track type (Texas, Darlington and Chicagoland).
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Flat Track Fantasy Value – High
In 2016 I think Chase Elliott might be a driver to watch at big flat tracks like Pocono and Indy. At those venues Hendrick Motorsports dials up the horsepower and they’re typically the cars to beat. Last year in his lone Sprint Cup start on this track type he finished 18th at Indy.
I think the shorter flat tracks like New Hampshire and Phoenix might be more difficult for him. His finishes were good in the Xfinity Series but his typical results of 7th to 9th would likely translate into a finish around the mid-teens to high-teens against NASCAR’s best competition.
Short Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Chase Elliott was very successful at short tracks in 2015 in the Xfinity Series. Last year his only win in that division came on this track type (Richmond). In the six races on this track type (including Iowa which isn’t a Sprint Cup track) Elliott finished in the top ten every race and had a 5.0 average finish. That’s great but in NASCAR’s top division I don’t think he’ll even come close to matching that level of success.
Last year in the Sprint Cup series he participated in two races on this track type. He finished 16th at Richmond and 38th at Martinsville after being involved in a wreck.
Chase Elliott Fantasy NASCAR Portal Page
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Last year was tough for Chase Elliott in the Xfinity Series. He participated in three races and walked away with a 19.3 average finish. His one good finish came in the Daytona night race when he finished 3rd. In the first two plate races he finished 28th and 37th.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – High
I think Chase Elliott might surprise people on this track type in 2015. Although he’s a rookie I think he’ll be competitive to an extent. Hendrick Motorsports builds strong cars for this track type and Elliott will greatly benefit from his equipment. Hendrick cars are so good at these venues even teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. is now running well.
Last year in the Xfinity Series on this track type Elliott finished in the top 7 every race and had a 5.3 average finish.
In 2013 on this track type in the Truck Series Elliott won at Canada with a last lap pass on a very angry Ty Dillon.
