NASCAR: Changes at RPM Will Equate to Success In 2016

Will RPM’s “return to tradition” lead to a return to winning in NASCAR in 2016?

Richard Petty Motorsports has been entering the headlines in recent weeks with some significant changes throughout the team. Perhaps the most noticeable change was the announcement in December that Xfinity Series veteran Brian Scott would be replacing Sam Hornish Jr. in the no. 9 (now #44) Ford in the Sprint Cup Series. The team announced yesterday that Scott would race the 44 car in a “return to tradition,” racing a number built into the Petty family dynasty. It could also be seen as a way to shy away from the struggles the 9 team had undergone in the past few seasons, especially in the tumultuous 2015 campaign with Hornish Jr.

The primary reason for the team choosing Brian Scott over other potential candidates, such as David Ragan, Regan Smith, or Brian Vickers, was the fact that with Brian comes a significant sponsor package. Scott is the son of the owner of Shore Lodge and Whitetail Club resorts, and the great-grandson of the founder of Albertson’s, a nationwide grocery company. These companies have sponsored Scott throughout his NASCAR career, from Xfinity racing with Joe Gibbs and Richard Childress, to limited Cup Series experience in the last three year with Richard Childress-affiliated teams.

New crew chief Chris Heroy was also hired to oversee the #44 team, jumping teams from Chip Ganassi Racing to RPM, after achieving moderate success at CGR in four years with the 42 team. Heroy began his Sprint Cup Series crew chief career with Juan Pablo Montoya in 2012 and the team struggled, failing to finish in the top 20 in points in 2012 and 2013. Montoya left the CGR team for an IndyCar ride with Roger Penske after the 2013 season, and rookie phenom Kyle Larson joined the team. Larson and Heroy enjoyed flashes of brilliance over the past two seasons, acvhieving 10 tops 5s and a hand full of second-place finishes. Heroy joins the RPM team hoping to build on his progress as a crew chief and get he and Brian Scott their first Sprint Cup Series win, respectively.

While significant changes have occurred with the #44 team, Aric Almirola and the #43 team are remaining seemingly unchanged in 2016. The #43 team has shown signs of improvement over the past several years, including going to victory lane at Daytona in the rain-shortened Coke Zero 400 in 2014, giving the team a berth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Trent Owens will remain the crew chief of the 43 car, as well as primary sponsor Smithfield and its subsidiary divisions. This team was consistent throughout 2015 but fell short of the Chase.

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Can the changes at RPM lead to the team’s success and growth?

The answer is yes, but it will take time. While the 2016 campaign may come with a learning curve for Scott and the 44 team, his addition actually adds great value to the race team. One of the primary reasons the 9 team struggled last year is because of a lack of sponsorship. The team had to throw together a myriad of one or two race deals to fund the program, which hurt Sam Hornish Jr.’s chances to find success. To exacerbate this, the team also switched crew chiefs and spotters mid-season. A successful team needs continuity. Hornish Jr.’s 2015 season was destined to be a failure. With Scott and the sponsorship money he brings to the table, the team can allocate money much better. With better race cars and a consistent race team around Scott, the team’s chances of success are much better.

Of course, success for this team has to come with realistic goals. The team will not just go out an pic of top 5s and wins. The 44 team will struggle at first, with a new driver needing to gain a relationship with the team and crew chief. Success will be defined in consistency. Top 20s need to be turned into top 15s and top 10s. With Scott progressing as a driver throughout the year, this team has the capability of a top 20 points finish. In order to do this, the team must be consistent in achieving its goals. Quietly at the end of 2015, Brian Scott finished in the top 15 multiple times, despite limited experience and equipment capabilities. Don’t look for this team to win in 2016, but the success I have outlined for the 44 team could lead to wins down the road.

How about that 43 car?

For Aric Almirola and the #43 team, this is the year that will define the team’s capabilities. This time has occasionally shown us flashes of brilliance with top 5s and leading laps at places like Martinsville, New Hampshire, and Kansas, and of course with that 2014 Daytona win, but overall the team need to step it up in 2016. Trent Owens and Aric Almirola are entering their 3rd season together, and the Smithfield funding helps the team with consistent funding and advertisement.

After just missing the Chase in 2015, this team cannot digress and miss the Chase again. Perhaps a few better finishes in 2015 and this team gets in on points. Anything short of being in the Chase will be seen as a failure for Almirola. The Scott addition adds a driver with valuable stock car experience who will both learn from and positively influence Almirola and the entire RPM team. Look for the #43 to be in the top 15 often, and sometimes equate a top 15 car into a top 10 or better. This team could steal a win at Daytona or any of the other tracks mentioned.

Although it has come with harsh criticism,”The King” was right in bringing Brian Scott to the #44 team in 2016

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