Trent Farrar: Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing Expert

Well, this is my final Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing expert one-on-one interview after the 2010 NASCAR season. I’m inspired by the expert in this interview because he gives me hope.

Meet Trent Farrar, AKA Piranah Bite

Trent Farrar is the perfect example, that by taking the advice shared with us by the other Yahoo experts, Kobi, Marlon and Mick and due diligence to research the best weekly picks for your team, you really can improve your performance in the Yahoo Fantasy Auto Racing game!

Trent’s Yahoo Auto Racing Results

• 2010: 93%
• 2009: 93%
• 2008: 73%
• 2007: 52%
• 2006: 66%

Getting To Know This Yahoo Racing Expert

Q: How long have you been a NASCAR fan?

A: I have been a NASCAR fan since I was a kid. Born in 1981. But only in the last 10 years have I been a “die-hard” fan.

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

A: I have been playing for about 5 years now.

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

A: I normally play about 4-5 games a year. A few online and a couple of pool’s I’m in at the office and stuff.

Q: Who is your favorite driver?

A: Joe Nemechek is our local (Lakeland, FL) hometown favorite. I’m friends with a few family members of his. But, other than him I like Tony Stewart.

Trent’s Yahoo Fantasy Racing Strategy

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

A: I think I like the maximum 9 starts for drivers the best. That way you don’t have the people who don’t know that much about the sport pick four drivers…like Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick and a few other top drivers and let it ride the whole year and end up in the lead.

This way it is a strategy to make it to the end. Who runs well at what tracks and stuff like that.

Q: You are currently in the 94% (percentile of all players) and in 2009 you finished 93%. In 2008 you were 73%, 2007 52% and 2006 66%. Was there an ‘aha’ moment that you had after your first three years playing the Yahoo game that skyrocketed you to the top? Or, have you just been incredibly lucky?

A: No, actually it was taking notes. I keep a folder of each race’s top drivers performance in each A-, B- & C-group. So, in the event of a second race that year or the following year, I have a good idea who runs good.

And, here is my “TOP” secret: I don’t try to save driver starts. I used to try to conserve starts my first few years, and run people I really didn’t want to run. But, only because they had more starts available. Then I found my self in last place with all these driver starts left.

Now, I just go with who runs well at that particular track and who’s hot at the time, and if I run out of starts for that driver, well I run out.

Q: What are the factors you take in to consideration when making your yahoo picks?

A: Factors for me are:

• Who runs good at this track?
• And, normally when a driver is good there, they share their info with their teammates, and thus, making them a quality pick too.
• Also, I try to get a pole qualify pick in. It’s a nice 10-points, and they all add up in the end.

Q: Do you go into the season with a plan for which drivers you want to run the most from each group? Any other ‘pre-season’ planning? Do you modify it as the season goes along?

A: Yes, I just modify the season as it goes along. People get hot and cold all season. You just have to roll with it.

Q: What is the biggest mistake that you think fantasy NASCAR players make? Mistakes that you used to make? Mistakes that you still struggle with?

A: I think a big mistake is running who “used” to be a threat, but no longer is. You hold onto this hope that they have snapped out of the funk they were in.

For example: Talladega Superspeedway and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

You know there used to be no one better than him at the plate tracks. So, I would find myself picking him, and I knew better. Instead of going with a guaranteed top-10 or top-15, I went out on a limb with Earnhardt, Jr. hoping for the best in gaining some ground. And, it bit me in the ass. LOL!

Q: Anything else you want to share?

A: Have fun. Talk trash to friends and co-workers. Try and make it a fun and friendly competition.

Here Is A Summary Of Trent’s Yahoo Racing Strategy

1. Keep notes of which drivers in each group ran best each race and use it for the next race at that track.
2. Don’t try so hard to conserve a driver that you miss out on getting his best points because you saved him for another race.
3. Research who runs good at this week’s track.
4. Is there a chance that the best team will be sharing their information with their teammates.
5. Always bring a driver that could score you pole qualifying points. Those points add up!
6. Roll with drivers as they get hot and lose the ones that get cold.
7. Don’t run a driver at a track he ‘used’ to do good at hoping this race will be his ‘comeback’.