Joey Logano 2017 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Joey Logano 2016 Stats : Points Finish 2nd, 3 Wins, 16 Top Fives, 26 Top Tens, 10.5 Average Finish, 9.8 Average Running Position, 703 Laps Led
Strengths – Joey Logano is a complete driver and in the last two combined season’s he’s won on every track type, you can’t say that about anyone else.
Weaknesses – Joey Logano has no real notable weakness on any track type. Sometimes they are their own worst enemy and use questionable setups that backfire.
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Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Medium High > Medium > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Joey Logano is one of the premiere performers at intermediate tracks. Over his four seasons at Penske Racing he’s scored between the 3rd to 6th most points on this track type.
Last year at these venues he scored the 6th most points. If he didn’t have bad luck on a few occasions he would’ve likely challenged for the most points on this track type. Last year at these venues he went to victory lane once (Michigan) and was the only driver in the series who had a top five finish percentage above 50%. He was also just one top ten short of tying Harvick and Keselowski for the most.
In 2017 look for Joey Logano to have a strong season at intermediate tracks. A new rules package is coming into play and Penske Racing has proven to be a quick study and adapting to changes. Last summer at Michigan when the “Lowest downforce package” was introduced Logano raced his way to victory lane.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Joey Logano was a strong performer at flat tracks in 2016. In 2017 I expect him to have another strong season. Last year on this track type he scored the 7th most points despite having two misleading results. In 2015 on this track type he scored the most points in the series.
Indy statistically ranks as his best flat track. It’s the lone flat track he’s never won at but in 5 of his 8 races he’s finished in the top ten. Currently he has four consecutive top tens. Over that stretch his average finish is 5.5. Last year he finished 7th. In 2015 he finished 2nd.
I would say Pocono has been his strongest flat track. He’s a past champion and has recently ranked as one of the strongest performers despite having some misleading results. Last August he was top five strong but wrecked which led to his 37th place finish (led 38 laps). In spring 2016 he finished 5th. In August 2015 he had the field covered and should’ve won but fuel entered the equation late (led 97 laps) which led to him running out of gas. In the two races prior to that he had results of 3rd and 4th.
At New Hampshire he’s won there multiple times and over the last five races his 4.4 average finish ranks as the best in the series. Last fall he finished 11th, in the four races prior to that he finished 4th or better.
Last fall at Phoenix thanks to the late attrition he raced his way to victory lane. In the spring event he was top ten good but the late caution led to him finishing a misleading 18th. In the five races prior to that he finished in the top ten and had a 6th place average finish.
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
2016 marked Joey Logano’s 4th straight season of ranking in the top ten in terms of points accumulation. For the season he scored the 3rd most points and had a 9.7 average finish. Last year on this track type his strength was his consistency, he was the only driver who finished in the top 11 every race.
Martinsville is the lone short track he’s never won at. Last year he led 21 laps in both races and had results of 9th and 11th. Since 2014 minus fall 2015 when he was wrecked while leading he has a 6.4 average finish. One strength of his that should be noted at Martinsville is that since 2014 he’s started in the top 3 every race. If you’re fantasy league rewards qualifying points take note of that.
At Bristol he ranks as one of the best drivers. Last year he had a pair of 10th place finishes. In 4 of the last 5 races there he’s finished in the top ten. It should be noted the August race has been his better event. He’s won 2 of the last three summer races and has five straight top tens in that particular event.
At Richmond he currently has six straight top tens. Over this stretch his 5.5 average finish ranks as the best in the series. Last year he had results of 8th and 10th.
Plate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Joey Logano has become an elite performer at restrictor plate tracks. Last year on this track type he scored the 2nd most points and finished in the top ten in 3 of the 4 races. In the one race he didn’t finish in the top ten he was running in 2nd late but wrecked.
Daytona has been a good track for Logano. Last year he swept the top six with results of 4th and 6th. In the 2015 Daytona 500 he raced his way to victory lane.
At Talladega he has back to back fall wins. In spring 2016 he ran well but wrecked which led to his 25th place finish.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
It’s hard not to like Joey Logano at road courses. In 5 of the last 6 years on this track type he’s accumulated the 8th most points or better. Last year he scored the 3rd most points. In 2015 he scored the 2nd most points.
Between the two road courses I like him more at Watkins Glen. Currently at that venue he has four straight top 7 results. Last year he finished 2nd. In 2015 he raced his way to victory lane with a last lap pass.
At Sonoma he’s finished 11th or better in 5 of the last 6 races. Currently he has back to back top fives. Last year he finished 3rd. In 2015 he finished 5th.
