Clint Bowyer 2019 Fantasy NASCAR Preview
Clint Bowyer
Points Finish 12th, 2 Wins, 9 Top Fives, 16 Top Tens, 27 Top Twenties, 13.8 Average Finish, 11.5 Average Running Position, 490 Laps Led, 93.04 Driver Rating
Strengths:
Clint Bowyer is a strong driver across many different track types. There\’s no glaring weaknesses on his resume and nearly everywhere he should be counted on for a good result.
In 2019 I would look for Bowyer to be at his best at short tracks, shorter flat tracks, road courses and intermediate tracks where tire wear is high.
Weaknesses:
It may sound strange hearing it, but plate racing hasn\’t been a strength for Bowyer in recent seasons. He\’s a strong performer at those venues but in both 2018 and 2017 he only had one top ten a season.
I also wish Clint Bowyer was slightly more competitive at typical intermediate tracks (he\’s much better at worn out intermediate tracks).
Intermediate Track Fantasy Value – A-
Clint Bowyer is a strong performer at intermediate tracks. He\’s not an elite performer at these venues, but he\’s good. At intermediate tracks across the board you can typically count on him to finish between 8th to 13th. In 2019 on this track type I think he\’ll have a similar level of performance.
Last year at intermediate tracks, Bowyer scored the 11th most points, had an 11.4 average finish and a 14.2 average running position.
At intermediate tracks I would look for Clint Bowyer to be at his best at tracks where the surface is worn out (Atlanta, Chicagoland, Auto Club and Homestead). In the combined races at those venues in 2018 he ranked as one of the best performers and had a 6.8 average finish.
Flat Track Fantasy Value – A-
Clint Bowyer is a strong performer at flat tracks. At both the bigger and the smaller venues he\’ll be a top ten contender in 2019.
I\’ll note between the two different types of flat tracks (big and small) I like him more at the smaller venues.
At the smaller venues he\’s one of the better performers in the series. Among track types they rank as some of his very best tracks. Last year at these venues minus Phoenix #2 and New Hampshire (wrecked both races) he had an 8.3 average finish and a 10.3 average running position. I\’ll note in both of those races he crashed he ran well.
At the bigger flat tracks he\’s very respectable. He finished 5th at Indy, 11th at Pocono #2 and in the spring he finished an asterisk mark 20th. I\’ll note in that race with 11 laps to go he was running in 8th until he had some sort of issue that dropped him off pace back to 25th rapidly.
Short Track Fantasy Value – A
Clint Bowyer is an elite performer at short tracks who ranks as one of the best. Last year on this track type he scored the 3rd most points and finished in the top ten in 5 of the 6 races. For the season minus the fall Martinsville race he had a 6.8 average finish and an 8.4 average running position.
At all three short tracks in 2019 he should be viewed as a solid top ten performer who\’ll compete for a top five.
Martinsville is the short track where I think his fantasy value is the highest. Last spring he easily raced his way to victory lane (led 215 laps). In the fall race he was top ten good (finished 4th in Stage #1, 8th in Stage #2, 8th place average running position) but finished an asterisk mark 21st. On lap 457 while he was running in the top ten he spun after contact. In 2017 he had results of 3rd and 7th.
At Richmond in 2018 he was solid and swept the top ten. His results were 9th and 10th. He should be very high on your radar there.
Bristol has been a bright spot on the schedule and in 5 of the last 7 races he\’s finished in the top ten. Last summer he was a contender. He led 120 laps and finished 6th. In the spring he finished 8th.
Plate Track Fantasy Value – B+
Clint Bowyer is a great plate racer, but the good results have been lacking in recent seasons. In both 2018 and 2017 he only had one top ten finish a year.
In terms of talent level on this track type I think he absolutely ranks among the best, but the results just aren\’t there.
Talladega has historically been his best plate track. He\’s a two-time winner who\’s finished in the top ten 50% of the time. Last fall at Talladega, Stewart-Haas cars dominated the race and when the checkered flag waved he finished 2nd. Last spring he wrecked and finished 31st.
Last season at Daytona he had results of 15th and 22nd. Last summer he was in position to finish well but he wrecked from 3rd with 3 laps to go which led to his 22nd place finish. In last years Daytona 500 engine issues developed around the midpoint so attrition helped him to escape with a 15th. In 5 of the 7 races prior to 2018 he finished in the top ten.
Road Course Fantasy Value – A
Clint Bowyer is a strong performer at road courses. Year after year he ranks as one of the best drivers. Last year on this track type he scored the 3rd most points, was tied for the 2nd best average finish (5.7) and had a result in the top 11 every race. In 2017 at these venues he scored the 6th most points and had a series best 3.5 average finish. In 4 of the 6 season’s prior to 2017 he ranked in the top 6 in terms of points accumulated on this track type.
Sonoma has been his best road course. Last year he was strong and finished 3rd. In 2017 he finished runner-up. Overall in 7 of the last 8 races he\’s finished in the top ten.
At Watkins Glen he\’s been solid. Last year he finished 11th. In 2017 he finished 5th. Overall since 2011 he\’s only twice finished outside the top 11.
Last year when the Charlotte Road Course made its debut he finished 3rd.
