Clint Bowyer 2017 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Clint Bowyer 2016 Stats : Points Finish 27th, 0 Wins, 0 Top Fives, 3 Top Tens, 23.6 Average Finish, 26.6 Average Running Position, 3 Laps Led
In 2017 Clint Bowyer will take over the #14 Stewart Haas Racing Ford. 2016 was a lost year for him, I would strongly urge you to forget it even happened. His equipment wasn’t competitive and in no way does his performances reflect his talent level. 2015 was also a down year for him during MWR’s slow demise. In 2017 look for Clint Bowyer to bounce back in a big way.
The biggest question I have regarding Clint Bowyer’s 2017 fantasy value is Stewart-Haas Racing making a manufacture switch from Chevy to Ford. It could prove to be a big deal, or perhaps be much to do about nothing.
Strengths – Clint Bowyer is a talented driver across many different track types. In 2017 I would look for him to be at his best at shorter flat tracks, short tracks, road courses and restrictor plate tracks. One attribute I like about Clint Bowyer is that he knows how to take care of his equipment and does a pretty good job avoiding trouble on the track.
Weaknesses – I wouldn’t call it a complete weakness, but during his “best days” rarely was he in contention to win at high-speed intermediate tracks.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Medium High > Medium > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
Clint Bowyer only has one win in his career on this track type, ironically that also happens to be his most recent victory (Charlotte fall 2012, fuel mileage win). Back when he was in good equipment on this track type he was typically a high-single digit to low-teens driver. In 2017 on this track type I think he’ll return to that form.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – High
Clint Bowyer is a solid flat track driver. He’s capable of finishing well at both the smaller flats (Phoenix and New Hampshire) and the bigger flats (Indy and Pocono). Between the two I like him more at the shorter venues.
His historical best shorter flat track is New Hampshire. He’s won there twice and in the 11 races prior to MWR’s last year and his time at HScott Motorsports he had a 10.7 average finish.
His fantasy value at Phoenix should be interesting. His track record really hasn’t ever been great there but it’s clear his organization has that venue figured. His teammates Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch have both performed at a high-level in the desert.
At the bigger flat tracks I would simply look for him to have a solid afternoon.
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
Clint Bowyer is a very solid fantasy option at short tracks. Last year he had a tough season on this track type as you can imagine. In quality equipment in the past, at these venues he’s had success. In his four seasons prior to driving for HScott Motorsports he averaged scoring the 4th most points on this track type. In 2013 and 2012 on this track type he accumulated the most points in the series.
On this track type look for Clint Bowyer to be at his best at Martinsville and Richmond.
At Martinsville he’s fallen on tough times the last two seasons. In the six races prior to 2015 he finished in the top ten. From a talent perspective I view Clint Bowyer as the best Martinsville driver who’s never won.
At Richmond Bowyer is a two-time champion who has a 12.8 career average finish. 73% percent of the time he’s finished in the top 12. Prior to joining HScott Motorsports he had three straight top tens.
Bristol has historically been his least successful short track, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad performer. Last summer he wrecked. In the nine Bristol races prior to that he had a 9.6 average finish.
Plate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Clint Bowyer is a very talented restrictor plate driver. He’s perfected the “riding in the back” until the end strategy better than anyone. Last year Clint Bowyer only had three top tens, two of those came on this track type.
Between the two plate tracks I like him more at Talladega. He’s a past champion who’s finished in the top ten in 10 of the last 14 races.
At Daytona he’s also had lots of recent success. In 4 of the last 5 races there he’s finished between 7th and 10th. You have to like that level of consistency at a “wild card” track.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Clint Bowyer is a very good road course racer. On this track type from a talent perspective he ranks as one of the best in the business. Now that he’ll be in good equipment again he’s a driver who should definitely be on your fantasy NASCAR radar.
Last year on this track type he had a dismal year and I’m going to completely overlook that. In 4 of the 5 seasons on this track type prior to last year he ranked in the top 6 in terms of points accumulated.
Between the two road courses Sonoma is his better track. Last year he had electrical problems early that led to his last place finish. In the five Sonoma races prior to that he finished in the top ten every race and had a 4.6 average finish.
At Watkins Glen he also runs well. Last year he finished 18th. In 4 of the 5 Sonoma races prior to that he finished between 4th and 11th.
