NASCAR: Richard Childress Racing 2018 outlook

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 28: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Salutes Veterans Chevrolet, celebrates with team owner, Richard Childress, after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 28: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 DOW Salutes Veterans Chevrolet, celebrates with team owner, Richard Childress, after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. /

Richard Childress Racing have been off par the last few seasons, but can personnel changes and stronger alliances bring stronger competition in 2018?

It finally happened for Austin Dillon. After four years of slumping in NASCAR bust potential, he broke free of his chains and was able to squeak out of 2017 with his first win in the Cup Series with new crew chief Justin Alexander being able to pull off a fuel mileage win for the team.

Ryan Newman was also able to find Victory Lane for the first time since joining Richard Childress Racing in 2014.

Paul Menard brought up the rear for the team, finishing in 23rd place in the standings. Menard has since left the team in the offseason and moved on to drive for Wood Brothers Racing in place of Ryan Blaney.

Recently, RCR made the announcement that they sold the charter for the #27 car to StarCom Racing, making them a two-car full-time operation for 2018.

Honestly, this is not a major change seeing as how only two of the three cars have been competitive in the last five years. This along with all the recent pit crew changes could end up bolstering the #3 and 31 crews this season.

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