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NASCAR: 5 most disappointing teams so far in 2020

By Konner Metz

Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, and Ryan Newman, Roush Fenway Racing, NASCAR (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, and Ryan Newman, Roush Fenway Racing, NASCAR (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Preece, JTG Daugherty Racing, NASCAR (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) /

Disappointing teams: #3 – JTG Daugherty Racing

JTG Daugherty Racing have seen a promising driver lineup turn sour, especially over the past four races. This two-car midfield team brought in Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to replace Chris Buescher and retained second-year driver Ryan Preece. Buescher finished in 20th place in last year’s championship standings while Preece notched 26th.

2020 seemed like a year for Preece to build on his rookie season and Stenhouse to help the team with his experience and impressive driving skills. Unfortunately, the hopes and expectations have been greatly missed.

First off, Preece has had an absolute trainwreck of a season, sitting behind Matt Kenseth, Corey LaJoie and Daniel Suarez in the point standings. He has failed to finish the last four races, a span which includes three last-place results.

Even when he avoids bad luck, Preece has shown little speed to match his teammate or most midfield competitors, including Bubba Wallace, the Front Row Motorsports drivers and Christopher Bell. His sophomore slump has been so bad that him returning in 2021 should be heavily doubted.

Better for JTG Daugherty Racing has been the veteran Stenhouse. Still, the driver of the #47 Chevrolet has not provided the consistency needed to help his team meet expectations. He did show flashes of top 10 speed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway while also finishing in second place at Talladega Superspeedway.

But along with these bright spots have come embarrassing statistics. Stenhouse has only six lead-lap finishes in 19 races, and he has an average finish of 29.2 over the last six events. He sits in 25th place in the point standings and is virtually out of playoff contention, barring an upset win.

Everything at this two-car organization should be under scrutiny: the drivers, the pace and the reliability. It almost feels like the only way JTG Daugherty Racing can come out of 2020 without disappointment is by winning a race.

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