Jimmie Johnson 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Jimmie Johnson 2015 Stats: Points Finish 10th, 5 Wins, 1 Pole, 14 Top Fives, 22 Top Tens, Average Finish 12.8, Average Running Position 12.4, Laps Led 558, Driver Rating 99.16
Strengths – Six-time champion Jimmie Johnson is a complete driver. He has elite talent and an elite team. On any given Sunday Jimmie Johnson is capable of reaching victory lane. In the Sprint Cup series he’s won at 19 of the 23 venues.
Weaknesses – Consistency and slumps are an issue with Johnson.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson is juggernaut at intermediate tracks. In NASCAR history no other driver has been to victory lane more than him at 1.5 mile tracks which comprise much of the schedule.
Last year at intermediate tracks Johnson went to victory lane fives times. No other driver even won three races on this track type. In 2015 at intermediate tracks Johnson had quite a few problems which weigh him down heavily in a few statistical categories. For the season at these venues Johnson scored the 13th most points and had a 16.7 average finish. In 53% percent of his starts on this track type last year Johnson finished in the top ten.
In the four seasons leading up to 2015 on this track type Johnson accumulated the 2nd, 4th, 1st and 5th most points.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson is always a threat to win at flat tracks. Last year at these venues he scored the 5th most points and had a 9.7 average finish. In six of the seven races at these venues he finished in the top fifteen.
Between the big flat tracks and the shorter flat tracks I like Johnson more at the big venues. At those tracks he’s more able to display his equipment advantage. At big flats last year he scored the 4th most points and had an 8.0 average finish.
Johnson is no slouch at shorter flat tracks but he typically isn’t a contender to win. Last year at those venues in his incident free races he finished 5th, 6th and 11th.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
I like Jimmie Johnson at short tracks. He’s not a bad fantasy option at any venue.
Martinsville has historically been his best short track. He’s won there eight times and has finished in the top ten 79% percent of the time. Recently at Martinsville he hasn’t been his competitive self which is head scratching.
At Bristol Johnson has been very strong and has three straight top 4 results. Over this stretch he has a 3.3 average finish and the 6th best driver rating. In 2015 he finished 2nd and 4th.
At Richmond Johnson also has three straight top tens. Last year he recorded finishes of 3rd and 9th.
Jimmie Johnson Fantasy NASCAR Portal
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson is a great plate racer. In the Generation 6 car on this track type a strong case could be made that he’s the best driver in the series
Jimmie Johnson was very successful at plate tracks last year. For the season on this track type he scored the 2nd most points, had a 6.8 average finish and only once had a result outside the top five.
At Daytona last year Johnson swept the top five with results of 2nd and 5th. In five of the last six races there he’s finished in the top five.
Talladega has also been a good venue for him but he’s walked away with quite a few asterisk mark results recently. Last year he finished 2nd in the spring and 18th in the fall. It’s important to note in that 18th place finish he was top ten good until he was taken out in the late wreck.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Jimmie Johnson is a very strong road course driver. Last year on this track type he swept the top ten and had an 8.0 average finish.
Between the two road courses I like Johnson more at Sonoma. He’s a former champion and last year he had a great chance to win if it wasn’t for a late caution which put him at a tire disadvantage. In that race Johnson led the most laps (45) and finished 6th. Currently at Sonoma he has seven straight top tens. Over this stretch he has the best driver rating and a 5.6 average finish.
At Watkins Glen Johnson has finished in the top ten in four of the last five races. His lone finish outside the top ten can be attributed to a late wreck. Last year Johnson finished 10th.
