2019 Season Preview Series -- New Rules package

I wanted to start the 2019 season preview series by touching on the new rules package and what impact it might have on fantasy racing.  I'm going to focus more on the fantasy impact instead of the details of the new rules package.  If you want more specifics on the package itself, this Bob Pockrass summary on ESPN.com is a good start -- CLICK HERE.

Super Speedways -- I don't expect much change or fantasy impact for the Daytona 500.  That will be run with the same restrictor plate and 400 HP output as in recent years.  For the two Talladega races and July Daytona race, the teams will run a modified package with 550 HP.  It is possible that will reduce some of the large pack racing we've seen of late, but we won't know for sure until we see the package in action.  In all, though, I don't expect a big change in approach to the fantasy aspect at super speedways this year. 

Short Tracks/Road Courses -- There also shouldn't be much difference at the short tracks or road courses.  This includes Phoenix, Martinsville, Bristol, Dover, New Hampshire and Richmond.  Plus the road courses at Sonoma, Watkins Glen and Charlotte.  There will not be sweeping changes to the package at these tracks, so I also expect a similar fantasy approach at these tracks.

Intermediate/2-mile Tracks -- This is where the major changes could surface.  Generally speaking, the new rules package is intended to create more down force and drag which, in turn, will slow the cars down at these tracks.  That could potentially bunch up the field and create more opportunities for close racing, drafting and passing.  However, yet to be seen is how easy it will be to actually complete a pass.  In theory, we could see much more frequent lead changes, many more cars able to stay on the lead lap (or at least avoid going multiple laps down), and many more multi-car incidents due to the cars being closer together on the race track.  More likely, though, we see a similar style of racing (with a dominator or two at these races) and a field that is somewhat more closely packed together.  I think there might be more passing in the middle of the field in the 5th-25th range but that we will see the front runners mostly by themselves and the typical back markers mostly by themselves as well.

We'll keep following this as the season approaches and unfolds.  More on the season preview series to come shortly.