NASCAR: Stewart-Haas Racing 2018 outlook

Clint Bowyer

Clint Bowyer was one of the drivers to watch last year, but unfortunately, he was never able to put it all together with his new team.

It wasn’t a lost season, though. While he just barely missed the playoffs, he was able to bounce his average finish up to its highest point in since 2013 (15.5) and he tried his best to win a race with five podium finishes.

The only non-winner in 2017 with more top podium finishes throughout the season was Chase Elliott with eight.

That kind of momentum doesn’t just go away and with a year of acclimation out of the way. I could see 2018 being a big year for Bowyer. I would be shocked if he didn’t at least win one race and get himself a playoff berth, but he could surprise everyone and lead SHR this coming season.

Just like Almirola, Bowyer has had to deal with some lesser teams in his career. While he started it with Richard Childress Racing, this was coming near the tail-end of their championship contending years, and he was the third wheel behind Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton.

He then went to an always struggling Michael Waltrip Racing and nobody wants to talk about HScott Motorsports.

The difference is that he has consistently put up solid numbers every year and has won eight times in a 13-year career. SHR provides him the outlet to contend for a championship and I believe Bowyer has that potential.

I am looking at possibly three wins for Bowyer in 2018 and him making it at least to the round of 8.