Kevin Harvick 2018 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Strengths – Kevin Harvick is one of the premiere performers in NASCAR. On a yearly basis he ranks as one of the best drivers on every track type. In 2018 I would look for him to be at his best at intermediate tracks and flat tracks.
Weaknesses – There is no significant hole from a performance perspective from the #4 team. I wouldn’t say it’s a real concern, but Kevin Harvick is getting old and “Father Time” eventually catches up and effects the best of them.
Track Type Fantasy Value Key = Elite > High > Medium-High > Medium > Low
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – Elite
On a yearly basis Kevin Harvick ranks as one of the best intermediate track drivers. Last year on this track type he scored the 3rd most points, in 2016 he scored the most points. Since 2011 at intermediate tracks his average yearly points ranking is 3rd, and in every season he’s ranked in the top 6 in terms of points accumulated.
In 2018 at intermediate tracks look for Harvick to have a strong season and once again rank as one of the premiere performers. On a weekly basis he’ll be a top ten performer who’ll challenge for top fives. Look for Harvick to get a few wins at these venues this upcoming season.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – Elite
At flat track Kevin Harvick is a popular fantasy NASCAR option, particularly at the smaller flat tracks. Last year at flat tracks he scored the 4th most points, in 2016 he scored the most points. Over the last five years on this track type his average yearly points ranking is 3.8.
At the shorter flat tracks, Harvick has proven to be a good option at all three of them. Among the three Phoenix is the one he’s most known for. He’s been a super-elite performer there but he’s lost his dominance in the last three having finished 4th, 5th and 6th. At New Hampshire last year he wrecked in the Playoffs, in the three races prior to that he finished in the top five including a win in fall 2016. At Richmond last fall he finished 15th, in the three races prior to that he finished 5th.
At the bigger flat tracks nobody was better than Harvick last year. He scored the most points, finished in the top 6 every race and had a 3.3 average finish. At Indy Harvick currently has four straight top tens, last year he finished 6th. At Pocono last year he finished 2nd both races. He’s never won at Pocono but in 4 of the last 7 races there he’s finished runner-up.
Short Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick is a strong performer at short tracks. Last year on this track type he scored the 6th most points, in the two prior seasons he scored the most and 5th most points. At all three tracks he’s a pretty good performer. His best short track right now is Bristol. He won there in summer 2016 and currently has five straight top tens. Last year he finished 3rd and 8th.
At Martinsville he runs well but he seems to have “off-races” there far too often. Over the last nine races there he has five top 8 finishes and four results of 17th or worse.
At Richmond last fall he finished 15th, in the three prior races he finished 5th.
Restrictor Plate Track Fantasy Value – High
Kevin Harvick is one of the most highly regarded restrictor plate racers in NASCAR, and for good reason. On this track type he’s capable of winning at both venues. Last year at plate tracks he scored the 18th most points, in 2016 he scored the 14th most points.
Last year Harvick had a misleading result in every race, but you can be confident he had strong cars. If he would’ve had an incident free Daytona 500 in 2017 he likely would’ve been the driver to beat.
Road Course Track Fantasy Value – Elite
Kevin Harvick is now a winner at both road courses. Last year at Sonoma he led 24 laps and raced his way to victory lane. In the two races prior to that he had results of 4th and 6th. Over long runs in recent races at that west coast track he’s often been the class of the field.
At Watkins Glen he’s a previous winner, but he’s been a little bit “hit or miss” recently. As long as he has an incident free race he should walk away with a good result.
In 2018 at all three road courses I would look for Harvick to finish in the top ten and compete for a top five.
