Brad Keselowski 2018 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Strengths – Brad Keselowski is one of the most versatile drivers in NASCAR and he’s capable of winning on any given Sunday. He’s also one of the smartest drivers so don’t overlook that intangible. In 2018 I would look for him to be at his very best at Intermediate tracks, Flat tracks, Martinsville, Talladega and Watkins Glen.
Weaknesses – Bristol, Daytona and Sonoma haven’t been the friendliest tracks to Keselowski in recent seasons despite him having some success.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Medium-High > Medium > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Brad Keselowski is an elite intermediate track performer. Last season on this track type he was off a little bit speed wise compared to the best teams, but in 2018 I think he’ll return to form. Last year on this track type Keselowski scored the 8th most points. In the three prior seasons he scored the 4th, 1st and 5th most points. With an off-season to work on things you have to believe that Penske Racing has really gone to work to fix this issue.
In 2018 on a weekly basis at intermediate tracks I would look for Keselowski to finish in the top ten and compete for a good amount of top fives and wins.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
On a year to year basis Brad Keselowski ranks as one of the best flat track drivers. In 3 of the last 4 years on this track type he’s ranked in the top 2 in terms of points accumulated. Last year he scored the 2nd most points and had a 6.6 average finish.
At both the bigger and the smaller flat tracks he’s a good option. Last year at the bigger flat tracks he scored the 2nd most points and went 3 for 3 in terms of finishing in the top five.
Last year at the shorter flat tracks (Phoenix, Richmond and New Hampshire) he scored the 4th most point, had a 7.8 average finish and only had one result outside the top 11.
Short Track Fantasy Value – High
Brad Keselowski is one of the premiere performers at short tracks. He’s a previous winner at all three venues. Martinsville is currently his best short track. He won there last spring, and currently has four straight top five finishes. Last fall he should’ve also won but late cautions took away a certain victory.
At Richmond, Keselowski currently has five straight top 11 finishes. Last year he had results of 2nd and 11th.
Bristol is his least competitive short track right now, but he’s due for a bounce back race in 2018. If it wasn’t for Bristol, which comprises a third of the short tracks I would have him ranked as an elite driver on this track type.
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Brad Keselowski is always a popular fantasy NASCAR option at plate tracks. In terms of talent on this track type he’s arguably the best in the business. At both plate tracks he’ll be in contention to win.
Between the two plate tracks I like him a lot more at Talladega. He won last fall, and has finished in the top seven in 4 of the last 5 races. In his career at Talladega he’s a five time winner who’s finished in the top ten 61% of the time. At Daytona he’s also strong, but he seems to run into a lot more problems. Last year he wrecked in both races, in summer 2016 when he had his most recent incident free race he led 115 laps and raced his way to victory lane in dominant fashion.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Brad Keselowski ranks as one of the best road course racers in NASCAR. Sonoma has been a hole on the schedule for him on this track type, but last year he finished 3rd. At Watkins Glen he’s one of the best default fantasy picks you can make. Last year he was strong, but finished a misleading 15th after having problems. In 5 of the 6 races prior to that he finished in the top 7.
In 2018 on this track type I would look for Keselowski to compete for a top five at Watkins Glen, and a top ten at Sonoma and Charlotte.
