Kyle Busch 2016 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Kyle Busch 2015 Stats: Points Finish 1st, 5 Wins, 1 Pole, 12 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens, Average Finish 10.8, Average Running Position 9.0, Laps Led 736, Driver Rating 108.1
Strengths – Kyle Busch is a well rounded performer. In 2016 I would look for him to have his best afternoons at intermediate tracks, short tracks, shorter-flat tracks, Watkins Glen and Indy.
Weaknesses – Despite being a two-time winner and the most recent winner at Sonoma I would be hesitant to pick him there. Between his 2015 win and 2008 win he had a 24.8 average finish and a 21.8 average running position.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Moderate > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kyle Busch was an awesome performer at intermediate tracks last year. At every venue he ran well even though he had some misleading results. In the Chase at intermediate tracks when it was time to step up his game he did so. In the playoffs on this track type he had a 6.4 average finish and a 5.8 average running position.
In 2016 I don’t think this team will miss a beat. I think the new rules package which will make cars tougher to handle will be to his favor. He’s a wheel man and he loves slipping and sliding around tracks. Last year in the two races where the new rules package was used he performed very well. He won at Kentucky and finished 7th at Darlington. Between those combined events he had the 2nd best driver rating.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kyle Busch had a strong season at flat tracks last year. He won at both a smaller flat, and a bigger flat.
Last year his win on a small flat track came at New Hampshire #1. In the Chase at New Hampshire he was top five good but got into the wall hard while running well. At Phoenix he only participated in one race and in that event he finished 4th.
In 2015 at the big flat tracks he went to victory lane at Indy. That’s been a great venue for him and he currently has six straight top tens. At Pocono last year he finished 9th in the spring and was top 5 good in August until he ran out of fuel late.
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kyle Busch missed the first round of all three short tracks in 2015. In the second round at the three venues he scored the 2nd most points and had a 5.0 average finish.
Last year at Bristol Kyle Busch likely had the best car in the Night Race but his evening wasn’t incident free and he finished 8th as a result. In that race he led 192 laps. In 2014 he ran extremely well in both races but walked away with poor results.
Richmond is a great short track for him. He has a 7.1 average finish and has won 4 times. Last year in his lone start he finished 2nd. At Richmond he’s finished in the top five 67% percent of the time and in the top ten 71% percent of the time.
Martinsville has been a good track for Busch. He’s never won but he’s come close. Last fall he finished 5th. Over his last six Martinsville races he has 3 top fives, an 8.7 average finish and an 8.7 average running position.
2016 Printable PDF NASCAR Schedule
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – High
Last year at plate tracks Kyle Busch only participated in two events and had results of 11th and 17th.
At Daytona he’s been in a rough stretch in recent years. In the last seven races there he’s failed to finish in the top ten. In many of these races he’s run well but has walked away with misleading results. Over this seven race stretch he has a 22.3 average finish and the 9th best driver rating. Last year he finished 17th.
At Talladega he’s experienced more success recently. In 5 of the last 7 races at that venue he’s finished in the top 12. Last year in his lone start he finished 11th.
Kyle Busch Fantasy NASCAR Portal
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – High
Kyle Busch had a great year at road courses in 2015. He scored the most points, had a 1.5 average finish and earned the second best driver rating.
Between the two road courses I like him a lot more at Watkins Glen. If you’re looking for a default fantasy pick there nobody is a better option than Busch. He’s won there twice and has finished in the top ten in 8 of the last 9 races. Last year he finished runner-up.
At Sonoma his fantasy value is more questionable. Last year he finished 1st and led 17 laps. It’s important to note however that if a late caution didn’t come out he likely wouldn’t have won. Prior to his victory you have to go all the way back to 2008 when he also won to find his next most recent top ten. Sonoma weekends typically aren’t uneventful for him.
