Ryan Blaney 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Strengths – In 2016 I would look for Ryan Blaney’s best days to come high-speed intermediate tracks. During his part time status in 2015 he achieved some success at those venues. Another notable strength of his is his qualifying prowess. In four of his last six races in 2015 he qualified in the top ten.
Weaknesses – Ryan Blaney has proven himself to be a volatile driver. At times it seems like when he’s not blowing up he’s wrecking. If you pick him there’s probably about a 25% percent chance he’ll have some type of problem.
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Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
In 2016 Ryan Blaney will get some good finishes for you on this track type. In the Chase at 1.5 mile tracks when his engine was able to go the distance he had results of 7th (Kansas), 14th (Charlotte) and 17th (Homestead). During the regular season at these venues when he avoided trouble he was typically around a 20th place driver. In 2016 when he has incident free races I would look for him to be a low double digit performer.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Flat Track Fantasy Value – High
Ryan Blaney competed in two flat track races in 2015. His first was at Loudon in July and that afternoon he finished 23rd. He had top ten potential but his race wasn’t incident free (Yahoo Race Chart). In that race he had a loose wheel and then compounded his problem with a speeding penalty.
His other start was a 12th place finish at Indy.
In 2016 at these venues I think he’ll be a low double digit driver in incident free races.
Short Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Ryan Blaney competed in one Sprint Cup race at a short track last year. In August at Bristol he finished 22nd in Cup, 22nd in the Xfinity Series and 1st in the Trucks. Out of the three short tracks I think Bristol will likely prove to be his best venue
Richmond is similar to New Hampshire so I think he has a chance to eke out a respectable result there.
I think Martinsville will likely be his toughest short track. He’s had some success there in the Trucks (3 top tens in 4 races) but against NASCAR best competition in the #21 car I don’t think he’ll fare all that well.
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Things could go either way for Blaney at these venues. Last spring at Talladega he finished 4th. In the other two events his engine couldn’t go the distance and he finished deep in the running order. When Trevor Bayne drove the #21 he also had DNF issues at these venues.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Medium
I really don’t see Ryan Blaney having good days at road courses. It’s been a long time since the Wood Brothers raced at a serpentine track. Last year in the Xfinity Series on this track type he participated in one race and finished 2nd at Elkhart Lake. That was in the #22 car and just about everybody who drives that car wins so I can’t give him too much credit.
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