Clint Bowyer 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
2015 Stats: Points Finish 16th, 0 Wins, 0 Poles, 2 top Fives, 12 Top Tens, Average Finish 18.8, Average Running Position 19.3, Laps Led 11, Driver Rating 74.91
Strengths – Clint Bowyer is a very strong performer at plate tracks and short tracks. From a talent perspective on those track types he ranks as one of the best in the series. In 2016 I also expect him to perform well at road courses and shorter-flat tracks.
Weaknesses – If he’s driving a HScott Motorsports prepared car he might be at an equipment disadvantage nearly across the board. Personally I think Stewart-Haas Racing is going to step in and really help out Tony Stewart’s heir apparent because his success in 2015 will be good for their organization.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
Clint Bowyer’s fantasy value at intermediate tracks is very dependent on how good is his equipment. If he’s essentially driving a Stewart-Haas Racing entry I think he’ll have high fantasy value. If he’s driving a HScott Motorsports prepared car I would describe his fantasy value as a high-medium.
From a historical perspective Clint Bowyer’s strength at intermediate tracks has been his consistency. When he’s good he’s typically about a 6th to 13th place driver. In his career on this track type he’s only been to victory lane once and that was a fuel mileage victory in fall 2012 at Charlotte.
In recent season’s (2015 & 2014) because of MWR’s demise I think we didn’t get an accurate picture of him on this track type. In 2013 on this track type he scored the 8th most points, in 2012 he scored the 8th most points and in 2011 he scored the 12th most points.
In 2016 if he essentially drives a Stewart-Haas Racing entry I think he might have potential to rank between about the 10th to 15th best driver on this track type. If he’s driving a HScott Motorsports prepared car I think he’ll rank as a high-teens to low-twenties driver on this track type.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Clint Bowyer has historically been a pretty good flat track driver. Last year on this track type he had a tough year except at the big flat tracks in the middle of the year when he finished 6th (Indy) and 8th (Pocono). Other than those two races he finished low twenties and back.
In 2016 I think his fantasy value should still be relatively solid at shorter flat tracks. At those venues in 2015 Allgaier had success so I don’t see why Bowyer can’t run well.
At big flat tracks I think his fantasy value all really comes down to if his car is Stewart-Haas prepared or is it a HScott Motorsports prepared. If it’s HScott Motorsports prepared an equipment disadvantage might be evident.
Clint Bowyer Fantasy NASCAR Portal
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
Clint Bowyer is a good short track driver. In the past he’s proven himself to be a very capable performer at all three venues. Last year on this track type minus Martinsville #2 where he was involved in an accident he had a 9.8 average finish and had a result in the top thirteen every race. In 2014 on this track type Bowyer scored the 10th most points. In both 2013 and 2012 Clint Bowyer accumulated the most points on this track type.
If he’s essentially driving a Stewart-Haas Racing entry I would rank his fantasy value as elite.
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Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – High
I like Clint Bowyer at plate tracks. He has a knack at this form of racing and ranks among the best. In 2016 on this track type he’ll likely view these venues as his best chance to win. I would describe his fantasy value on this track type as a high-high, having him just short of elite.
Last year on this track type Bowyer finished in the top ten in three of the four races. He would’ve been 4 for 4 except he wrecked on the last lap at Talladega in the spring. If he didn’t wreck he had a great chance to finish in the top ten (Yahoo Race Chart). In his career at Talladega he’s been to victory lane twice.
At Daytona Bowyer has finished in the top eleven in 5 of the last 6 races. His lone finish outside of this range was due to an engine failure. Last year at Daytona he finished 7th and 10th.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – High
In MWR equipment Clint Bowyer was an elite performer at road courses. With his new employer it remains to be seen how strong he’ll perform. That’s why I’ll play it safe and rate his fantasy value as high. If it turns out he’s essentially driving a Stewart-Haas Racing prepared car I would rate his fantasy value as elite.
Between the two road courses he’s better at Sonoma. He’s a former champion there and currently has five straight top tens. In four of the five races over this stretch he’s finished in the top five.
At Watkins Glen he also runs well but he’s never been a serious threat to win. In four of the last five races there he’s finished in the top ten. The lone exception was in 2014 when he wrecked late.
