Kevin Harvick 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Kevin Harvick 2015 Stats: Points Finish 2nd, 3 Wins, 1 Pole, 23 Top Fives, 28 Top Tens, Average Finish 8.7, Average Running Position 5.3, Laps Led 2,294, Driver Rating 118.86
Strengths – Kevin Harvick is a super-elite performer who can win on any track type. In 2016 I would look for him to have his best afternoons at high-speed intermediate tracks and shorter-flat tracks.
Weaknesses – Kevin Harvick was the driver to beat week in and week out in 2015. One thing that might slow him down a little bit is the new rules package. I think it will bring more parity to the competition.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick was fast week in and week out at intermediate tracks last year. For the season at these venues he led the most laps and ran the most fastest laps. Driver ratings are a good indicator of speed and last year he ranked #1 in that statistic by a fairly healthy margin. Fast cars put drivers in position to win which is key in many types of fantasy NASCAR leagues.
Last year at intermediate tracks minus the two races where he had problems while running well (Chicagoland and Michigan #1) Harvick had a 3.9 average finish and a 4.3 average running position. That level of domination is extremely impressive.
In 2016 I expect the good times to continue to roll but I don’t think he’ll be quite as strong. Seeing him have unprecedented speed another year with a new rules package is hard to foresee.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick can win at any flat track. At all four venues he runs well. Last year on this track type minus Pocono #2 when his engine blew up while running well and New Hampshire #2 where he ran out of gas while leading Harvick had a 2.2 average result and finished in the top five every race.
On this track type I like him more at the shorter flats. His best shorter flat track is Phoenix where he should be your default fantasy pick. In the last five Phoenix races he’s finished 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st and 1st. At New Hampshire he’s also run very well. Last year he had the best car in July and the best car in September. In the summer race he was denied the win because of a untimely caution. In the fall he led 216 laps but ran out of fuel while leading.
At the big flat tracks he’s also been successful. Last August at Pocono he had a great car but his engine couldn’t go the distance and as a result he finished 42nd. Performance wise he was likely top five good. In the two Pocono races prior to that he finished 2nd and 2nd. At Indy last year he finished 3rd and led 75 laps.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick is a very strong short track driver. Last year on this track type he performed well at all the venues and scored the 5th most points.
At Martinsville last year he finished 8th in both events. It should be noted he performed better than his result in each race. In four of the last five Martinsville races he’s finished between 6th and 8th.
At Bristol he’s been a stout performer but he’s had asterisk mark results in many of the recent races there. Last fall he had his first incident free race in a while and finished 2nd. In spring 2015 he was top five good but wrecked. In that event he led 184 laps. In August 2014 he might’ve had the best car but got a speeding penalty. In spring 2014 he ran well but wrecked.
Richmond is his safest short track. At that venue he’s won three times and has finished in the top ten 60% percent of the time. Last fall I think he did a lot of experimenting and finished 14th as a result. In spring 2015 he finished 2nd. In the five RIR races prior to last year he had a 7.6 average finish and a 7.6 average running position.
Kevin Harvick Fantasy NASCAR Portal
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick had a great season at plate tracks last year. He scored the 3rd most points and had a 7.3 average finish.
In 2015 he only finished outside the top ten once and that was at Talladega #2 where his engine was failing at the end. When the checkered flag waved in that event he finished 15th. In the three Talladega races prior to that he finished 7th, 8th and 9th.
At Daytona last year he swept the top ten with results of 2nd and 4th. Over the last five Daytona races minus a summer 2014 wreck Harvick has a 5.5 average finish.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick ranks as an elite road course racer. He gets around both tracks very well. Last year at these venues he scored the 3rd most points and had a 3.5 average finish.
Between the two road courses Watkins Glen has historically been his more successful track. He’s a past champion there and his average finish is 12.0. Last year he would’ve won if he didn’t stumble on fuel at the end. In 2014 he finished 7th.
At Sonoma he’s run very well. In four of the last six races he’s finished in the top ten. Last year he finished 4th. In 2014 he had the best car but was involved in an accident that relegated him to a 20th place finish. In 2013 he finished 10th.
