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NASCAR: RCR Resurgence? Don’t Use Big Words You Don’t Understand

By Mike Hutton

Mar 19, 2017; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman (31) celebrates after winning the Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Newman (31) celebrates after winning the Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Resurgence. Is RCR experiencing such a phenomenon?  Not so fast, we say.  One win, while valuable, cannot turn around an entire organization overnight.  More needs to happen from top to bottom on all three Cup teams.

This isn’t a piece bashing Ryan Newman or Richard Childress Racing.  They out smarted everyone at Phoenix on Sunday and were first in line at the pay window when it was over.  That’s the reason they and 38 other teams lined up on Sunday.  A win is a win – period.  This could very well provide some momentum and energy for Newman or his teammates Austin Dillon and Paul Menard.

However, that doesn’t hide the fact that, as an organization, they’re 1-112 in their last 113 starts. Let’s examine some facts:

Ryan Newman

Newman himself had not won since Indianapolis in 2013 when he was in what turned out to be his final year at Stewart-Haas Racing.  Since then, he has been mediocre, finishing outside of the top-10 in points each year except 2014.  Even in 2014, when he finished 2nd, he accomplished that by simply running second to race winner and champion Kevin Harvick.  Otherwise, his average finish was 12.7.  In 2015 he finished 11th, and did not make the Chase (now playoffs) in 2016. Aside from Sunday’s win, his average finish is 24.3 so far this year.

Austin Dillon

Austin Dillon is in his fourth full-time Cup season this year, and the silver on the spoon in his mouth needs some polishing.  Maybe Kevin Harvick knows a guy.  Dillon is still looking for his first Cup win in 125 starts.  In 2014, his best finish was a 5th. at the July Daytona race and his average finish for the year was 17.5.  2015 saw his best finish at Michigan in August (4th) but a season average of 21.0.  In 2016, Talladega in May (3rd) was his best and his season average came back up a bit to 15.9.  He made the Chase field in 2016.  This year, his average finish is 23.5.

Paul Menard

With just one win (Indianapolis, 2011) in 327 Cup starts, Paul Menard is proof that employment stability is an afterthought when the family business keeps sending the checks.  Using the same period since RCR’s last win, Menard is consistent with his teammates.  Consistent in that he hasn’t won.  2014:  Best finish – 3rd. (Las Vegas;) average finish – 17.9.  2015:  Best finish – 3rd. (Talladega;) average finish 17.1.  2016:  Best finish – 8th. (Martinsville, April;) average finish – 22.0. Menard made the Chase field in 2015.  This year, his average finish is 17.5.

Related Story: Best & Worst Weekend Ever - Phoenix Edition

What Does This Mean?

Resurgence is defined as “rising, or tending to rise again.”  I can’t use RCR’s performance and this “R” word in the same sentence just yet.  Show me some more wins and some consistent top-five finishes by Newman AND his teammates and I’ll consider it.  If and when all three drivers have won this year and are talked about as a threat each week and I’ll endorse it.  Until then, it will have to remain in the same category as President Trump’s tweets — there’s just no evidence there to support it.

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