Kasey Kahne 2017 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Kasey Kahne 2016 Stats : Points Finish 17th, 0 Wins, 3 Top Fives, 13 Top Tens, 15.6 Average Finish, 15.1 Average Running Position, 0 Laps Led
Strengths – In 2017 look for Kasey Kahne to be at his best at intermediate tracks, flat tracks and Sonoma. He also has good fantasy value at short tracks.
Weaknesses – Plate racing definitely isn’t a strength of Kahne’s. I would recommend avoiding him on that track type. Also it should be noted Kahne wasn’t in contention to win any races last year and failed to lead a single lap.
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Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Medium High > Medium > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – High
Kasey Kahne is a strong competitor at intermediate tracks. From an allocation perspective this is the track type that you should most focus on selecting him. 8 of his top 10 tracks statistically based on average finish are on this track type.
Last year he was a very solid option on this track type over the last two thirds of the season. On this track type from Michigan #1 until the conclusion of the season minus Homestead where he was caught up in a late wreck he had a 9.7 average finish. Over those events minus Homestead he finished in the top 14 every race.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – High
Kasey Kahne is capable of finishing well at any of the flat tracks. At 3 of the 4 venues he’s been to victory lane in the past. Last year on this track type Kahne scored the 12th most points and had a 15.4 average finish.
I would rank Pocono as his best flat track. He’s won there twice and last year he had results of 6th and 15th. Since August 2014 minus August 2015 (wrecked) he has an 11th place average finish.
Indy is the lone flat track he hasn’t raced his way to victory lane. In the last two races there he’s had results of 18th and 24th. In the seven Indy races prior to 2015 he had a 9.4 average result and only once finished south of 14th.
Last year at the shorter flat tracks he finished well in the second trip to each venue. At New Hampshire #2 he finished 9th and at Phoenix #2 he finished 13th. In his first trip to those venues he had results of 22nd (Phoenix) and 25th (New Hampshire).
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
Don’t overlook Kasey Kahne at short tracks. He’s a past champion at two of the three venues. In 2016 he scored the 8th most points on this track type. At the end of last year he was very strong at these venues and over the last four races he had an 8.5 average finish.
Richmond has arguably been his best recent short track. Last year he had results of 4th and 6th. In both of those races it should be noted his car was strong over long runs. Over the last seven Richmond races he has an 11.2 average finish.
At Bristol he currently has three straight results in the teens. Last year he finished 13th and 17th. If you’re looking for a sleeper there he isn’t a bad option. He’s run pretty well there since 2013 despite having a few misleading results.
Martinsville is the lone short track that he hasn’t visited victory lane. In 3 of the last 4 races there he’s finished between 9th and 11th. Last year he had results of 11th and 22nd.
Plate Track Fantasy Value – Medium
Like any driver Kasey Kahne is capable of sneaking in a good result at a plate track. That said he has a proven propensity to find trouble. Of the 23 tracks on the schedule Daytona is home to his 21st worst average finish (20.0), and Talladega is home to his worst average finish (22.7).
At Talladega he’s finished in the 30’s in 3 of the last 4 races. Last year he had results of 35th and 39th.
At Daytona in 6 of the last 8 races he’s finished 27th or worse. Last year he had results of 13th and 30th.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – High
Kasey Kahne is “near an elite level talent” at Sonoma, at Watkins Glen he’s only a “Medium level talent.” When I combine those two I’ll say he’s a low-High level talent.
At Sonoma he’s a past champion who currently has four straight top tens. Over these events he’s finished between 6th and 9th. Last year Kahne finished 9th. I will note at Sonoma he has proven “mover potential.”
Watkins Glen statistically ranks as his 22nd worst track (21.1 average finish). He’s never finished in the top ten and in 6 of the last 9 races he’s finished between 12th and 20th. His average finish over that nine race stretch minus the two he had major problems is 17th.
