Why You Should Play Fantasy NASCAR

Scott Engel, RotoExperts.com Senior Writer, tells you why it’s time to start your fantasy engine.

“It brings in people that don’t necessarily watch the sport to really recognize the drivers and their talents.” – Kyle Busch

“Fantasy players get deep into the sport, and I think that’s cool” – Jeff Burton

“I have lots of friends who play Fantasy Racing” – Jimmie Johnson

“So many people have fun with it, and it keeps people interested in our sport.” – Greg Biffle

“Fantasy Racing is a new, hot thing. Everyone is into fantasy football and baseball, and I like the challenge that racing presents.” – Kurt Busch

Any time I get the opportunity to ask a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver what he thinks of Fantasy NASCAR, as you can see from the above quotes, the reaction is overwhelmingly positive. In the past, when interviewing athletes in other sports, some of them admit they could care less about you and your fantasy team.

Yet NASCAR drivers are some of the most approachable, friendly sorts you could ever hope to meet. Some of Jeff Gordon’s detractors have been fully disarmed when they actually meet him, as he will take lots of time to sign autographs and meet fans. NASCAR may be the most fan-friendly major sport you are missing out on. Drivers are often accessible, and NASCAR offers many interactive experiences and lots of giveaways and extra entertainment at every race and event.

At a NASCAR race, I always feel on top of the action. When viewing it at home, the coverage is very in-depth, as we get in the pits and the garage, and in Victory Lane. The drivers rarely leave the circuit, and I can be a Gordon fan for many years without my loyalties having to change. Sure, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s switch to Hendrick Motorsports last year shook up his fan base a bit, but his fans were still rooting for the same driver.

Is that reason enough to play Fantasy NASCAR? No, but it’s a start. Living in New York, people still chuckle when I ask to put on a race at my local sports bar. “A million left turns,” they’ll say. That’s what I used to think, until I spent more time studying the sport. Obviously, anyone who has made the “left turns” comment has never watched a race on a road course.

There’s a lot more going on than meets the eye at a NASCAR race. There are 43 cars battling each other at approximately 180 miles per hour, trying to pass each other, avoid a crash, and manage their car, which is in danger of submitting to mechanical or other troubles at any time. There is a lot of strategy and teamwork involved in every race. You may not be aware of it, but NASCAR is an outstanding team sport that also puts a high emphasis on individual performance. It blends team and individual like no other sport.

Earnhardt may be the fan favorite in the No. 88 car, but without a savvy crew chief and a finely-tuned pit crew, he isn’t a regular contender. One errant judgment by the pit boss or a small blunder by the crew could cost the driver several positions, and ultimately the chance to win. Pit crews are the most under-appreciated group in sports, more so than offensive lineman. They must be a highly precise group, and only get spotlighted when they make a mistake. Yet without them performing up to expectations, no driver has a chance of winning.

The driver must do a lot more than step on his pedal and steer. He has to know his car as well as his pit crew does, so if he endures any issues throughout the course of a race, he can adjust accordingly. Just like a quarterback must know the playbook, or a pitcher must scout the tendencies of opposing hitters, drivers must know what makes their ride tick, and also be ready for the challenges of the different types of courses he runs on every week. When you finally sit down and watch a Cup race with an open mind, you’ll be washed over with nuances and strategies you never were aware of before. If you like football for its teamwork and strategy, you will appreciate NASCAR if you have an open mind.

Some who subscribe to stereotypes still see NASCAR as strictly the cult hobby of southerners who listen to Molly Hatchet and watch endless reruns of The Dukes of Hazzard. While NASCAR’s roots are well defined, today’s drivers are anything but “good “ol’ boys” and nothing else. With mainstream stars like Gordon and Johnson becoming more dominant and visible in recent years, Cup racing fans come from all walks of life. The attendance figures at Cup races in recent years prove NASCAR is no longer a niche sport.  Even with some attendance totals dipping, you can find well over 100,000 people at some races. At the same time, the emergence of a “new breed” in NASCAR fandom over the past two decades has produced lively rivalries in the stands. And there are even more rivalries developing on the track every week. You can often bet on heated commentary from Tony Stewart, and I am always watching to see if Juan Pablo Montoya stirs a ruckus with his aggressive approach.

So now maybe I have sold you on why you should watch the sport, but why should you dive in as a fantasy participant? Because Fantasy NASCAR is a glorious marriage between the best elements of baseball and football. You must do your statistical research to submit a successful lineup every week, just like in baseball. You must be aware of which drivers perform well at certain tracks, and take many numbers into account. On the surface, wins, Top 5 and Top 10 finishes paint some accurate pictures of what to expect, but there are many other ways to measure a driver’s performance that make a numbers-cruncher very happy. NASCAR’s full stable of “Loop Data” provides further food for fantasy appetites. Loop Data is statistics generated by electronic scoring loops embedded in each track. We explain and offer Loop Data throughout this Draft Kit and every week during the season.

Like football, there is only one event per week in the Cup series, so you don’t have to get overwhelmed by roster management. Also, it gives each race a “big event”-type of feel like an NFL game. The ultimate lure of playing in fantasy, though, is the interactivity and personal stake in each event. In Fantasy NASCAR, most leagues ask you to pick three or more drivers for the season or each race. This gives you a chance to not only cheer on your favorite driver if you land him, but also makes you pay attention to a handful of drivers each week. Again, the fusion of individual and team also comes to light when playing the fantasy game.

Also, in Fantasy NASCAR, because it’s a sport centered around picking individuals, there is none of the notorious fantasy problem of rooting for your fantasy player at the expense of your favorite team’s success. If Burton is your favorite driver, you can easily land him for your team and root for him to win each week with no second thoughts. If you’re a Gordon fan, but you own Johnson as your top driver, you’ll be easily pleased if Gordon finishes second and Johnson third in a given week. Of course, if you decide you don’t like Gordon, you still have to do what’s best for your fantasy team if you get the opportunity to acquire him. Yet you can still cheer for your favorite driver and also hope Gordon finishes near the top without beating your guy.

Ultimately, as I outlined before, it’s about keeping an open mind. It’s about enjoying a new sport that doesn’t take a lot of work from the fantasy perspective, but also offers much statistical depth if you like it. You’ll find a lot more to like about NASCAR than you ever thought possible if you give it a chance. Like many of you, I could never imagine watching the sport years ago. Now, my Sundays are empty without it.

Scott Engel also views NASCAR as his ultimate “family” sport. Each week, it’s the one sporting event he can watch with all of his family members. E-mail Scott at scotte@rotoexperts.com