2013 Preseason NASCAR Rankings
Jeff Burton, #31 Caterpillar/Cheerios, Richard Childress Racing [Yahoo Class B]
His numbers just continue to plummet, and at this stage in his career, Burton's chances of bouncing back are slim. In fact, his top-10s are so few and far between these days, that owners are often better just avoiding him completely in most fantasy formats. Unless the new car suits his driving style a lot better, another long year is likely on tap for the veteran.
Juan Montoya, #42 Target, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing [Yahoo Class B]
Montoya's numbers declined for the third year in a row, and they have reached the point where he is borderline irrelevant in fantasy circles. Last year, he had zero top-five finishes and only two top-10s to go along with 11 finishes of 25th or worse. Unless hitting jet dryers under caution and causing giant fires is a category in your league, Montoya's only real value comes at the road courses.
David Ragan, #34 CSX Transportation/Peanut Patch, Front Row Motorsports [Yahoo Class C]
Although his numbers took a sharp decline in his first year not with Roush Fenway Racing, Ragan was Front Row Motorsports' best driver in 2012, and he picked up a pair of top-10s at Talladega. The organization as a whole has been taking baby takes, so he should improve on his 27.0 average finish from a year ago. Ragan won't be a great option by any means, but he should make a nice sleeper at superspeedways in all formats and regularly sneak into the top 25.
Bobby Labonte, #47 Kingsford/Clorox/Bush's Beans, JTG Daugherty Racing [Yahoo Class B]
On one hand, there is very little upside with Labonte. He has managed just eight top-10s over the past five years combined. However, he did have a 24.8 average finish in 2011 and a 22.6 average last year. If you play in a league that bases scoring solely on driver points, you can count on Labonte to be a top-25 driver.
Danica Patrick, #10 GoDaddy.com, Stewart-Haas Racing [Yahoo Class C]
Only 26 drivers ran all 36 races in 2012, so Patrick does have some fantasy value simply because she is slated to run a full season. However, being in the field every week is probably going to be her only positive contribution. Patrick posted a 28.3 average finish in 10 Cup starts last year, and she has a long way to go before she is able to sniff the top 20.
Trevor Bayne, #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane, Wood Brothers Racing [Yahoo Class C]
Bayne is set for another part-time season at the Cup level with Wood Brothers Racing. He managed a 22.5 average finish and two top-10s in 16 starts with the organization last year. Those numbers might even improve a bit now that he will be getting regular seat time in the Nationwide Series, as well. Bayne could make a solid sleeper in most formats when he does start.
Travis Kvapil, #93 Burger King/Doctor Pepper, BK Racing [Yahoo Class C]
Don't get me wrong, Kvapil's fantasy value is very limited. However, he did have a 25.7 average finish last year, and that average improved to 23.8 over the final 20 races. If you are drafting a team, Kvapil isn't the worst pick to round out a roster when the options are starting to get slim. He should be right on the verge of the top 25 most of the year.
David Gilliland, #38 Love's Travel Stops/A&W Restaurants, Front Row Motorsports [Yahoo Class C]
He will be entering his fourth season with Front Row Motorsports, and Gilliland has improved his average finish by a full spot in each of the last two years. That being said, his average was at 27.3 in 2013, so it is not like the improvements have been monumental. Still, Gilliland should be a top-30 driver if you are drafting a team; in other formats, he does have some potential as a superspeedway sleeper.
David Reutimann, #83 Burger King/Doctor Pepper, BK Racing [Yahoo Class C]
After Landon Cassill decided not to return to the No. 83 in 2013, Reutimann picked up the full-time ride. The change of scenery should allow Reutimann to improve on his 29.1 average finish from a year ago, but he still won't be approaching the respectable numbers he amassed in his time with Michael Waltrip Racing. At best, he squeaks out a few top-20s during the course of the year.
Regan Smith, #51 Guy Roofing, Phoenix Racing
Smith is one of three drivers expected to see time in the Phoenix Racing No. 51 this season. He is also the most accomplished and most reliable of the three. Even though the equipment at Phoenix Racing isn't the best, Smith should be good for at least a top-25 when he takes his turns behind the wheel.
A.J. Allmendinger, #51 Phoenix Racing, Phoenix Racing [Yahoo Class C]
He basically threw away the opportunity of a lifetime when he violated NASCAR's drug policy. Allmendinger will get a bulk of the starts for Phoenix Racing in 2013, but if the end of last season was a preview of what to expect, it is going to be a long year. After he was reinstated, he posted a dismal 30.8 average finish in four starts in the No. 51.
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Brian Polking -
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Cincinnati, OH
FFToolbox Fantasy NASCAR Writer since 2011
I grew up in a racing family, and I spent my childhood at dirt tracks throughout Ohio and Kentucky. NASCAR became a passion of mine at an early age as well, and I have been following the sport ever since I can remember. While I earned my degree in journalism at Ohio State University, I began writing about NASCAR for several Web sites in 2005. I became head editor of the NASCAR section for Fanball.com and FantasyCup.com in 2008 and was a finalist for the Fantasy Sports Writer's Association NASCAR Writer of the Year in 2009. My knowledge of NASCAR stems from my lifelong love of the sport, and I believe that passion shows through in every article I write.
