Pages

Pages

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

2015 Fantasy Nascar Driver Preview: Brad Keselowski

Welcome to TimersSports

Brad Keselowski 2015 Profile

Brad Keselowski was quite possibly the best driver during the 2014 season as racked up 6 wins but in the end his aggressive attitude was his down fall as it cost him an championship shot. There were two incidents during the chase that have Brad labeled as the bad guy. First at Charlotte and then again at Texas. At Charlotte he was just being an complete idiot. At Texas that was more hard racing. Either way he became a villain from standpoint of his fellow competitors and fans. That's for another day though.

At Intermediate racetracks , Brad Keselowski was very competitive last season. He won 3 times while being one an weekly threat to win. There were multiple races where he had an top 5 car but didn't get the finish he deserved. Brad won at Las Vegas , Chicago and Kentucky. Of the 3 tracks , his Kentucky performance stands out because how much better he was then everyone else. In that race BK led 199 of 267 laps and posted 150.0 driver rating. Brad have won past 2 of 3 Kentucky races.

At Las Vegas , Brad didn't have the best car but was top 5 all day. In late stages of the race he put himself in a great position and won. Past 2 seasons , BK finishes of 1st and 3rd. For an average finish of 2.5 and held 126.6 driver rating. Others tracks he should be considered at would be: Dover , Homestead , Texas , Charlotte, Michigan and Kansas.

At Flats , Brad will among one of the strongest in the field. He have this type track figured out as does his teammate. At Phoenix since the repave he been one of the best in the series. Excluding 2011 fall race he been elite. In past 6 races (since 2012) , Brad have 5.5 average finish and 113.0 driver rating.

New Hampshire makes a great case as Brad's best flat track. Last season he was quite possibly the best driver there. Had finishes of 7th and 1st. Including 216 laps led and 129.7 driver rating. Fluke? Definitely not. Over the past 7 New Hampshire races , Brad have an 5.1 average finish and 110.9 driver rating. During those 7 races , Brad have had least led once in every race.

At Indianapolis Brad haven't been super stellar but still fantasy relevant. Last season he started 3rd and finished 12th. Actually Brad have 3 Top 12 in his past 4 races. Including a pair of top 10s. Brad highest finish in 6 races is 9th (twice) though. Brad needs to take the next step here and score a top 5. At Pocono , Brad been pretty inconsistent  in recent seasons. Since 2011 , he have 4 Top 6 finishes (including a win) and an runner up finish. On the flip side, he also have finishes of 23rd , 18th and 16th. So there been good and bad with BK. Hard to say what to expect in 2015.

Short tracks been somewhat unkind to him. I feel like the potential been there but results haven't. At Bristol  he have had mix results. Over past 7 races , Brad have 4 Top 3 finishes. Including two wins. He also have finishes of 30th (twice) and 14th. Major upside with some risk involved is the theme at Bristol.

At Richmond he been similar. In past 6 races , Brad have 3 finishes inside the top 9. On the opposite end , Brad have 2 finish of 17th and 33rd. Seems like at short tracks Brad have an consistency problem. The potential there but cannot back it up the following 2 or 3 races. Major concern to me. Being reliable is an key attribute to any fantasy relevant option.

Martinsville was the worst of all tracks in 2014. Didn't see this coming since the previous four races resulted inside the top 10. Needless to say , his finishes of 31st and 38th were due to incidents on the racetrack/pitroad. He probably should have been an top 10 threat at least.

At road courses , Brad is an well known racer at Watkins Glenn. Before last season poor finish he was considered an top fantasy option. Sonoma he never been anything special. I would continue to avoid there. At Watkins Glenn in 5 races , Brad have 3 Top 5s. At Sonoma in 5 starts , he have 2 Top 20s. Pretty easy to tell which track he been better at.

Plate track I believe Brad Keselowski can make an nice option for any fantasy team. Honestly I would probably trust him more at Talladega. He kinda have a knack at winning there. Daytona he been more hit or miss. I guess it comes down to luck. Last season Brad finished inside top 5 at the Daytona 500.

Brad Keselowski will be threat for the championship no doubt. I feel like he need mature more. I am all for aggressive racing. But there a different between being aggressive and being a idiot. Last season he showed he don't know the different. Something he needs to work on as a young driver. He will have moments to shine on Intermediate tracks. On shorts and flats I feel like Brad will be at inconsistent with great potential. He will probably win a few on them too. Road courses I expect his better result to come at Watkins Glenn.

Twitter - @JeffNathans