Jamie McMurray 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Jamie McMurray 2015 Stats: Points Finish 13th, 0 Wins, 0 Poles, 4 Top Fives, 10 Top Tens, Average Finish 14.9, Average Running Position 14.4, Laps Led 14, Driver Rating 84.32
Strengths – Jamie McMurray is a very capable performer at many different disciplines of racing. Look for his best afternoons to come at short tracks and shorter flat tracks.
Weaknesses – Jamie McMurray runs well at many different tracks but last year it was apparent that the #1 team was lacking overall speed. At plate tracks McMurray has proven himself to be too much of a “hero or zero” performer for my liking.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
Jamie McMurray is a quality performer at intermediate tracks. Last year on this track type he accumulated the 11th most points. In 2014 he scored the 13th most points. His strength at these venues in 2015 was his consistency. Last year in the 17 races held on this track type he had 1 top five, 5 top tens, 11 top fifteens and 15 top twenties. His average finish for the season was 14.3. At high-speed intermediate tracks last year he was typically a 10th to 20th place performer.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – High
Jamie McMurray is a solid flat track driver. Last year on this track type he had a 13.6 average finish and scored the 11th most points. At these venues last season he only finished outside the top sixteen once and that was due to an engine issue at New Hampshire in July.
At flat tracks I like him the most at shorter-flats (Phoenix and New Hampshire). At those venues he’s a driver who more often than not is in contention for a good finish. At shorter-flats last year minus New Hampshire #1 where he had engine issues he had a 10.8 average running position and an 11.2 average finish. In spring 2015 at Phoenix he had his best result of the season and finished 2nd.
At big flat tracks he also had a quality showing last season having a 12.6 average finish and a 12.4 average running position.
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
Jamie McMurray is a good short track driver. Last year on this track type he was successful. He had an 8.8 average running position and a 9.0 average finish. Only Jeff Gordon scored more points than him last year and as you know he’s retired. Last year at short tracks McMurray had 2 top fives, 3 top tens and was the only driver who finished in the top fifteen every race.
I would say Richmond is his best short track at the moment. Last spring he had a great car and could’ve possibly won if it wasn’t for a late caution. In the last five Richmond races he three 4th place finishes and two 13th place finishes. His strength at Richmond is being good over long runs.
At Martinsville McMurray has long been a quality sleeper option. Last year he swept the top ten with results of 2nd and 10th. At Martinsville his top ten finish percentage is 54%, at no other venue is he higher in that statistic.
At Bristol last year he finished just outside the top ten twice with results of 11th and 14th. In summer 2014 he had a great car finishing 8th, leading 148 laps and earning the #1 position in our exclusive PROS Rankings.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Jamie McMurray didn’t have a great season at plate tracks last year. He finished good in the middle two events but in the “bookend” races he finished poorly. Historically at plate tracks Jamie McMurray has essentially been a “hero or zero” performer.
At Daytona last season he finished 15th and 27th. At Daytona McMurray has 5 career top tens and two of them are victories. In 62% percent of his Daytona starts he’s finished outside the top twenty.
His Talladega track record is pretty similar. Since 2008 he only has three top tens and those were results of 1st, 1st and 2nd. In the other races since 2008 he has a 27.6 average finish. Last year McMurray recorded finishes of 11th and 39th.
Jamie McMurray Fantasy NASCAR Portal
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – High
Jamie McMurray is capable of running well at both road courses. Between the two I like him more at Sonoma. At that venue last year he finished 11th. In 2014 he finished 4th. Since 2009 at Sonoma he has a 14.7 average finish.
At Watkins Glen in incident free races he’s proven himself to be a 6th to 17th place performer. Since 2008 in incident free races there he’s always finished within that range. Last year he was involved in an accident and finished 40th. In the two races prior to that he finished 11th and 14th.
