Tony Stewart 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Tony Stewart 2015 Stats: Points Finish 28th, 0 Wins, 0 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens, Average Finish 24.8, Average Running Position 22.0, Laps Led 24, Driver Rating 66.87
Strengths – In 2016 I think Tony Stewart’s best chance for success will be at big flat tracks, Martinsville and races where the attrition rate is high. Also I think he might be able to sneak in some good results at road courses.
Weaknesses – Intermediate tracks were a glaring weakness last year. Also plate tracks have been very unfriendly to him over the last couple of years.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Low
Intermediate tracks were low points for Tony Stewart last year. On this track type he was really bad. Among drivers on “power teams” he ranked as the worst performer in the series. Last year at these venues he had a 26.9 average finish. Every year there’s 17 races held on this track type and in only 3 events in 2015 he finished in the top twenty. In the Chase on this track type his best finish was 25th.
After how poorly he performed on this track type in 2015 I think the only way he can go is up. In 2016 a new rules package will be utilized and hopefully new crew chief Mike Bugarewicz can turns things around.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Tony Stewart’s best chance for success at flat tracks will be at the big venues. In 2016 I think he could have some success at that sub-track type.
At Pocono last year he didn’t have a great year. With the help of fuel mileage in August he finished 9th and in June he finished 21st. In 2014 performance wise he showed potential in both races. In the four Pocono races prior to that he finished in the top ten.
Indy is his home track and last year he finished 28th. For much of the race he ran well but through poor pit strategy he fell deep in the pack and after that you could stick a fork in him.
At small flat tracks he had finishes all across the board last year. I wouldn’t recommend selecting him at those venues at this time.
Tony Stewart Fantasy NASCAR Portal Page
Short Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Tony Stewart can still get good finishes at short tracks. Right now I would say Martinsville is his best on this track type. Last year he finished 10th and 20th at that venue. In his 20th place finish last year he was really mid-teens good but he took a dive in the running order late. In fall 2014 at Martinsville he finished 4th.
At Bristol Stewart has finished in the top ten in 2 of the last 3 races. Those top tens though came through attrition. Last August he finished 19th. In the two races prior to that he finished 4th and 6th.
Richmond hasn’t been a good track for him recently. In his five races since 2013 he has a 25.6 average finish.
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Since 2013 on this track type things have been lean for Tony Stewart. In his 11 races over this stretch he has a 29.3 average finish and a 29.1 average running position.
If you pick him on this track type the summer Daytona night race is the way to go. His lone top ten over this stretch came in July 2013 when he finished runner-up. In last year’s Daytona summer race he finished 14th. In the other four Daytona races over this stretch he’s finished 35th or worse.
Talladega has been brutal to Tony Stewart. Last year he finished 25th and 19th. Since 2013 at Talladega he has a 29.6 average finish.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Tony Stewart has 7 wins between the two road courses. Two are at Sonoma and five are at Watkins Glen. In 2016 I think Tony Stewart has medium fantasy value on this track type. Over the last couple of years the really good finishes for him on this track type have evaporated.
Last year at Watkins Glen Tony Stewart finished dead last because of rear gear issues. In the two Watkins Glen races prior to that he ran well but had adversity late and walked away with results of 19th and 27th. Between 2004 and 2010 at Watkins Glen he finished in the top two in 6 of the 7 races.
In 2015 at Sonoma Stewart finished 12th. In the two Sonoma races prior to that he finished 19th and 28th.
