FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume II, Issue V

Welcome to our 22nd edition of the FDH Fantasy Newsletter, as we continue to bring you weekly fantasy sports updates in addition to our usual content on FantasyDrafthelp.com. In case you missed it, here are the previous issues: Volume I, Issue I (September 4, 2008), Volume I, Issue II (September 13, 2008), Volume I, Issue III (September 19, 2008), Volume I, Issue IV (September 27, 2008), Volume I, Issue V (October 4, 2008), Volume I, Issue VI (October 11, 2008), Volume I, Issue VII (October 18, 2008), Volume I, Issue VIII (October 25, 2008), Volume I, Issue IX (November 1, 2008), Volume I, Issue X (November 8, 2008), Volume I, Issue XI (November 15, 2008), Volume I, Issue XII (November 21, 2008), Volume 1, Issue XIII (November 30, 2008), Volume 1, Issue XIV (December 7, 2008), Volume I, Issue XV (December 14, 2008), Volume I, Issue XVI (December 20, 2008), Volume I, Issue XVII (December 28, 2008), Volume II, Issue I (January 3, 2009), Volume II, Issue II (January 11, 2009), Volume II, Issue III (January 20, 2009), Volume II, Issue IV (January 29, 2009)

In this week's edition, we deliver a sneak preview of some features in our FANTASY NASCAR DRAFTOLOGY 2009 that will be hitting the streets tomorrow, January 30:
^ 2009 NASCAR Overvalued Drivers
^ 2009 NASCAR Undervalued Drivers
^ 2009 NASCAR Don’t Be That Guy!

NOTE: Our advice, as it does on our FANTASYDRAFTHELP.COM INSIDER weekly program (Wednesdays, 9:00-9:30 PM EST as part of THE FDH LOUNGE on SportsTalkNetwork.com), is based on avoiding the obvious and trying to be of actual help to you.

2009 NASCAR Overvalued Drivers

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (10th on our draft board, tied for 7th on the experts’ draft board): With only three wins since 2004 and an average finish of 11th place on intermediate tracks (which account for 2/3 of total races) last year, he’s still a legitimate Chase candidate, albeit a lower-tier one.

Kasey Kahne (18th on our draft board, 15th on the experts’ draft board): With a prohibition on testing this year (for a team that really needed more of it) and the departure of Ray Evernham, a step backwards from last year’s 14th place finish seems likely.

Casey Mears (26th on our draft board, 22nd on the experts’ draft board): Another change in rides will hinder, at least in the short term, Mears’ quest for stability and thus, growth.

Ryan Newman (20th on our draft board, tied for 16th on the experts’ draft board): A year in transition at Stewart-Haas is unlikely to conjure up memories of the magical ‘03 season.

David Reutimann (30th on our draft board, 24th on the experts’ draft board): He may take a step back behind some of the other up-and-comers as Toyota’s acclimation process continues.

2009 Undervalued Drivers

Clint Bowyer (11th on our draft board, 14th on the experts’ draft board): He’s one of two drivers to place 12th or better on every track type on average in 2008. Don’t overestimate the transition to a new crew with this steady driver in ‘09.

Kurt Busch (16th on our draft board, 19th on the experts’ draft board): He’s getting a rap as an underachiever, but still won last year and nobody was better on the restrictor plate races in ‘08.

Kevin Harvick (7th on our draft board, tied for 10th on the experts’ draft board): Many fantasy touts prefer flashier drivers, but Harvick just gets it done relentlessly, year in and year out — and he made the Chase the last three years with fourth place finishes in two of them.

Bobby Labonte (21st on our draft board, not in the Top 30 on the experts’ draft board): Talk about steady but not sensational: 21st place in the standings in ‘08, 18th in ‘07 and 21st in ‘06. Show some faith in this veteran.

Jamie McMurray (15th on our draft board, 20th on the experts’ draft board): Reunited with crew chief Donnie Wingo, McMurray is poised to build off of his strong finish to the season.

Paul Menard (25th on our draft board, not in the Top 30 on the experts’ draft board): He battled through tough surroundings at DEI to race strong on restrictor plate tracks and superspeedways. Now this youngster has to up his game on the other types of tracks.

Don’t Be That Guy in Fantasy NASCAR This Year!

Don’t Be That Guy that “marks out” for his favorite driver. If that driver happens to be a good “value pick” on the board, so be it. But if you reach for a driver for personal reasons, you’ll live to regret it. More than in any other sport, fantasy NASCAR owners make foolish picks for reasons of personal fanhood and smart competitors always benefit … Don’t Be That Guy that doesn’t pay enough attention to track types when drafting. You can’t win without a number of drivers who run strong on intermediate-length tracks, because they account for 2/3 of the races — but keep your team balanced overall aside from that … Don’t Be That Guy that overrates “Little E.” You know who you are!