Ryan Newman 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Ryan Newman 2015 Stats: Points Finish 11th, 0 Wins, 0 Poles, 5 Top Fives, 15 Top Tens, Average Finish 13.5, Average Running Position 16.7, Laps Led 20, Driver Rating 80.68
Strengths – Ryan Newman is a solid steady performer across all the different track types. He’s capable of finishing well at nearly any venue on the schedule. Ryan Newman’s main attribute that makes him an attractive fantasy NASCAR option is his consistency.
Weaknesses – Ryan Newman and the #31 team lack speed. Last year he only led 20 laps and only once did he lead more than 2 laps. In the second half of the season he only led 1 lap and that was at Talladega. In terms of fastest laps Newman only recorded 72 of those. When you look at the point standings you have to go back to Casey Mears to find a driver who was lower in that statistic.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
Ryan Newman won’t be contending for wins at intermediate tracks but he will come home with consistent quality results for you. That trait is Newman’s main strength on this track type. Last year at intermediate tracks Newman scored the 8th most points and had a 12.4 average finish. In the 17 races held on this track type in 2015 Newman finished in the top twenty in every race but one. In 2014 on this track type Newman scored the 7th most points.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – High
Ryan Newman is a solid fantasy NASCAR option at flat tracks. Last year on this track type he had a 15.4 average finish and scored the 15th most points. At these venues minus Pocono he finished between 3rd and 11th every race. At flat tracks I like Newman more at shorter flats (Phoenix and NEW Hampshire). Last year at the shorter flats he scored the 5th most points and had an 8.8 average finish.
Newman gets around the big flat tracks very well. Last year at the Tricky Triangle he had a down year. He had top ten potential in June but wrecked while running well. In August he started in the rear of the field and was low teens good but finished 23rd when fuel entered the equation at the end. Prior to last year Newman had 9 straight top twelve finishes. Last year at Indy Newman finished 11th. In 2014 he also finished 11th. In 2013 he started on the pole and raced his way to victory lane.
Ryan Newman Fantasy NASCAR Portal
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
Ryan Newman is a good short track driver. Last year on short tracks he scored the 6th most points and had a 13.3 average finish. In the four season’s prior to last year on short tracks he accumulated the 5th, 18th, 7th and 8th most points on this track type. At these venues he’s a solid performer but I wouldn’t count on him contending for any wins. His best short track last year was Bristol where he swept the top ten with finishes of 5th and 8th. Richmond has historically been his best short track. Last fall he was a points racer and finished 20th. In the four Richmond races prior to that he had a 7.75 average finish. Martinsville is the short track where I would be the most nervous picking him. In the last six Martinsville races he has two top tens but his other four results are 20th or worse. Last fall he finished 7th. In spring 2015 he struggled and finished 27th.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – High
Ryan Newman didn’t have a bad year at plate tracks in 2015. He wrecked in the season opening Daytona 500 but other than that things went pretty well. In the last three plate races of 2015 he had a 9th place average finish.
At Daytona last year Newman had results of 8th and 38th (wreck). In 2014 he had a pair of low twenties finishes. In the three races prior to that he finished in the top ten.
At Talladega Newman has been solid. Last year he recorded finishes of 7th and 12th. In the last five Talladega races his 10.2 average finish has him tied with Kevin Harvick for the best in the series over this stretch.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – High
Ryan Newman isn’t a flashy road course performer but he’s been consistent. Typically at these venues you can pencil him in for a result between 11th and 18th.
Ryan Newman was solid at road courses last year. For the season he scored the 9th most points and had a 12.0 average finish. Last year at Sonoma Newman finished 9th. That marked his first top ten there since 2008. In five of the six Sonoma races prior to last year he finished between 11th and 18th. In 2015 at Watkins Glen Newman finished 15th. In five of the last six races there he’s finished between 11th and 16th.
