Kurt Busch 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Kurt Busch 2015 Stats: Points Finish 8th, 2 Wins, 3 Poles, 10 Top Fives, 21 Top Tens, Average Finish 11.1, Average Running Position 9.5, Laps Led 788, Driver Rating 104.11
Strengths – Kurt Busch is a capable driver who’s able to excel on all the track types. In 2016 I would look for his best afternoons to come at intermediate tracks, shorter-flat tracks and road courses.
Weaknesses – Inconsistency has been an issue at times. Last year between Pocono 2 and Dover 2 Busch has just 3 top tens in 9 races. Also I still believe Kurt Busch is capable of being his own worst enemy.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kurt Busch is a strong competitor at intermediate tracks. Last year at these venues he finished in the top five 27% percent of the time and in the top ten 73% percent of the time. He only participated in 15 races at intermediate tracks because of suspension and only once did he finish outside the top twenty. Also despite missing two races he still managed to score the 9th most points on this track type. Last year at Michigan in the June rain shortened event he reached victory lane. In the 2015 Chase at 1.5 mile tracks Kurt Busch was very strong and finished between 3rd and 8th every event.
In 2016 I expect Kurt Busch to benefit from the new base rules package which will increase the difficulty level of driving a Stock Car.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
I like Kurt Busch at flat tracks. He runs well at all four venues. Last year at flat tracks he finished in the top ten in 5 of the 7 races. His two finishes outside the top ten deserve an asterisk mark.
Last year at shorter flat tracks he finished 5th, 7th, 10th and 19th. His 19th at New Hampshire in the Chase deserves an asterisk mark. In that race he was top six strong but ran out of gas at the end.
At big flat tracks last year he also ran well. He recorded finishes of 5th, 8th and 37th. His 37th place finish at Pocono 2 deserves an asterisk mark. In that race he was a contender to win but wrecked.
Kurt Busch Fantasy NASCAR Portal Page
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kurt Busch is a strong driver at short tracks. He’s a past champion at all three venues. Last year on this track type he ran better than he finished. For the season he had an 8.2 average running position but a 15.5 average finish.
At Martinsville Kurt Busch has been very strong since joining Stewart Haas Racing. He won in his first race in the 41 car but since then he’s had some problems while running well in the races. Last fall he was top five good but wrecked late. In spring 2015 he finished 14th.
At Richmond Kurt Busch put a thumping on the field last spring winning the event and leading 291 laps. In the fall race I think his team did some experimenting which is a large part of why he finished 15th. In four of the last six Richmond races he’s finished in the top ten.
At Bristol last year he ran well especially in the spring but had results of 14th and 15th. At Thunder Valley he’s a five time champion but we’re now going on a decade since he last won. At Bristol his top ten finish percentage is 50%.
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – High
Kurt Busch is a very good restrictor plate driver. I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again. He’s the best plate racer who’s never won a points paying race. Last year at plate tracks he participated in three races and found success. Between the events he had a 9.0 average result and finished in the top 12 every race.
At Daytona he’s experienced some recent success. He missed the season opening Daytona 500 but in July he finished 5th. In three of his last four Daytona races he’s finished in the top six. At Talladega last year he finished 10th and 12th. In fall 2014 he finished 7th.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kurt Busch is an elite road course racer. He’s more than capable of winning at both serpentine tracks on the schedule. Last year at road courses he swept the top five and had a 3.5 average finish. In the last three years on this track type he’s scored the 4th most points.
Between the two road courses I like him more at Sonoma. He’s a past champion there and last year he finished runner-up. In the last five years at Sonoma Busch has the best driver rating and the best average finish (4.4). In four of the last five Sonoma races he’s finished in the top four.
He also gets around Watkins Glen real well. Currently he has three consecutive top tens there and last year he finished 5th.
