Larry Goertzen: Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing Expert

We’ve gotten tremendous Yahoo fantasy NASCAR expert advice from great fantasy NASCAR players that have excelled at the Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing game. Still, with all due respect to the other experts, none have been able to go wheel-to-wheel with Larry Goertzen and beat him.

Meet Larry Goertzen, aka Captain Vat

Larry was given a shout out of respect from Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing Expert Marlon Clark. Larry responded in the post comments so I shot him an email. As have been all the folks I’ve met from the Great White North, Larry was friendly and open to talk.

Larry give me the link to his Yahoo Sports profile, which as Marlon acknowledged, was a jaw-dropper!

Larry’s Yahoo Auto Racing Results

• 2010: 99%
• 2009: 98%
• 2008: 99%
• 2007: 99%
• 2006: 99%
• 2005: 99%
• 2004: 99%

Larry has 30 trophies in his Yahoo Sports trophy case!

Getting To Know This Yahoo Racing Expert

Q: How long have you been a NASCAR fan?

A: I have been a fan since the late 90′s, after our hockey team left for Phoenix in the NHL. I was so disappointed that I stopped watching hockey and needed a new sport to watch. NASCAR has been great!

Q: How long have you been playing fantasy NASCAR games?

A: I first signed up for a Yahoo ID in 2002, and have exclusively played auto racing since 2004.

Q: How many fantasy NASCAR games a year do you play?

A: Three. I play Yahoo fantasy auto racing (2 I.D.’s, 6 leagues), Virtual Thunder (the Camping World truck series) and NASCAR fantasy live at nascar.com

Q: Who is your favorite driver?

A: Currently, it’s Carl Edwards in Cup. But, I don’t limit myself to one. I like most of the drivers on the circuit.

Larry’s Yahoo Fantasy Racing Strategy

Q: What is it that you like the most about the Yahoo Fantasy Racing game?

A: Everything! Start restrictions for drivers, great user interface, good stat keeping and scoring, and it’s FREE!

Q: How do you prepare for a new Yahoo Racing season? Do you rank drivers pre-season?

A: I stay up-to-date on NASCAR news via the internet and satellite radio. Listening to what is happening at the different teams and keeping track of personnel changes is important. I don’t really rank drivers, because each year is so different.

Q: How much time do you spend each week digesting NASCAR content?

A: If you ask my wife, too much!! Probably 5-6 hours in preparation and chatting with friends all over the continent. Sites like this one and others like FantasyNASCARPreview.com are invaluable for preparing your team.

Q: Rank in order of importance each of these factors in picking your fantasy team:

1. Past Driver performance at that track (eg: average finish, driver rating, etc).
2. Past Driver performance on similar tracks (eg: Daytona & Talladega) I usually go back only 2 years, but only if the driver’s team hasn’t changed.
3. Practice speeds. I don’t place much stock in 1st practice, just practice after qualifying.
4. Online advice (what other ‘experts’ are saying online).
5. My own notes/statistical records.
6. Team performance at that track.
7. Gut (‘feeling’). Although, my gut has got me in trouble more times then I can count!
8. Broadcast advice (what pre-race experts are saying on SPEED, NASCAR Now, etc.)
9. Driver momentum.
10. Qualifying speeds.

One factor not listed here is driver allocation savings. If I’m thin on starts for a particular driver, I’ll try to find the next best option. I also try to get chassis info. It’s not just about the driver. The car’s record is important too!

Q: What is the biggest mistake that you think fantasy NASCAR players make?

A: I’m a big believer in saving starts for later in the year. I think the ‘run em’ when they’re hot strategy only works short term. When you’re on the NASCAR season marathon, it’s important to have starts in your back pocket for the last few races. This is really important for your B- and C-group allocations. A-group will take care of itself. Too many players burn up their drivers too fast.

Q: Anything else you want to add?

A: Break the season into two 18-race segments, and only use any one driver a max of 5 times in the 1st half.

I’ve also tried to break the season into thirds and use any one driver only 3 times per 12 races. You can discipline yourself to save starts this way.

Here Is A Summary Of Larry’s Yahoo Racing Strategy

1. Stay up-to-date on NASCAR news via the internet and satellite radio.
2. Listen to what is happening at the different teams.
3. Keep track of personnel changes.
4. NASCAR statistic sites are invaluable for preparing your team.
5. Go back only 2 years when looking at a drivers past performance.
6. Don’t place much stock in 1st practice, just practice after qualifying.
7. Driver allocation savings is important. If I’m thin on starts for a particular driver, I’ll try to find the next best option.
8. Try to get chassis info. It’s not just about the driver. The car’s record is important too!
9. I’m a big believer in saving starts for later in the year.
10. The ‘run em’ when they’re hot strategy only works short term.
11. Too many players burn up their drivers too fast.
12. Break the season into two 18-race segments, and only use any one driver a max of 5 times in the 1st half.
13. Break the season into thirds and use any one driver only 3 times per 12 races.