Kurt Busch 2010 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=kurt+busch&iid=7811131″ src=”e/b/e/2/Daytona_500_Practice_a2d2.jpg?adImageId=9955006&imageId=7811131″ width=”234″ height=”156″ /]Kurt Busch
2009 Stats: Points Finish 4th, 2 Wins, 10 Top Fives, 21 Top Tens, Average Finish 12.8, Average Position 10.5, Laps Led 738, Driver Rating 101.2
Kurt Busch was the come back driver of the year in 2009. He was a lost man in 2008 and finished 18th in points. The main question mark for him heading into 2010 is what effect losing Pat Tryson will have on the team. Last year Pat Tryson was locked out of the Penske race shop as soon as he announced he was leaving, and Kurt still finished 4th in points. Kurt’s new crew chief is the veteran Steve Addington who was Kyle Busch’s crew chief in 2009.
Strengths- Kurt Busch is a versatile driver who when given the right car can win and be competitive anywhere.
Weaknesses- How often he’s given the right car is the issue.
Intermediate Track Grade- A-, Kurt and the 2 team were an elite intermediate track team last year. They won early in the year on these tracks, and they won late in the year. He nearly won at Homestead but the team only chose to take 2 tires on their last pit stop. The only drivers who outscored Kurt Busch on these tracks last year all were either Hendrick or Hendrick affiliated cars.
Flat Track Grade- A-, Busch has always been a good flat track driver. In his career he’s won at every flat track except Indy. The worst he finished on the smaller flat tracks last year was 6th. He had some problems on the big ones in 2009, but he’s definitely proven himself at Pocono.
Restrictor Plate Track Grade- B+, Kurt’s unquestionably the best driver to never win a restrictor plate race. He’s been very close to winning at both Daytona and Talladega in his career.
Short Track Grade- A-, Kurt Busch once was the popular pick for Bristol but those days are over. Now he’s about a 10th place driver there. Right now his best short track is Richmond. When it comes to Martinsville I would suggest looking elsewhere.
Road Course Track Grade- B+, Kurt is a consistent top ten driver at both road courses. He finished 7th at Watkins Glen last year and he would’ve finished in the top 5 at Infineon if Jimmie Johnson didn’t boot him out of the way.
How to use Kurt Busch from a fantasy racing perspective in 2010?
I honestly believe Kurt Busch is as talented as anyone in NASCAR. His team just isn’t where they always need to be for him. If his team is having a good year (not displaying every other year struggles) then the only two tracks that I would avoid him at are Martinsville and Lowes.
Click HERE for more Kurt Busch Stats
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