The NASCAR landscape is populated with several power teams including Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart Hass Racing, which in many ways is related to Hendrick Motorsports. Joe Gibbs Racing is also considered a super team with Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and now Matt Kenseth in their lineup. Michael Waltrip Racing made great strides last year with both Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr. making the Chase and Bowyer finishing second in the points battle.
This is where it gets tricky; there are two other powerhouses that may be in danger of losing their elite status. Roush Fenway Racing and Richard Childress Racing are quickly sliding towards mediocrity.
Let’s examine the numbers from last year. Roush Fenway went to victory lane five times in 2012 but three of those wins went to Matt Kenseth, who is now racing for Joe Gibbs. The other two RFR wins were scored by Greg Biffle. At the age of 43 the Biff has only won four races over the last four seasons. Carl Edwards was once the standard bearer for Roush-Fenway but now is currently nursing nearly a two year winless streak. The 3rd Roush car is now being piloted by Sprint Cup Rookie Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. I think in time Stenhouse, Jr. will be a force, but this is not his time.
Richard Childress Racing could be facing a tough year. Their number one driver Kevin Harvick has already announced his intention to leave the team at the conclusion of the season and I’m just wondering how that lame duck status is going to work. Jeff Burton is riding a horrible slump, I respect Jeff Burton maybe more than any other driver in the garage but to expect a miracle turnaround from this 45 year old driver is a bit farfetched. RCR also has Paul Menard in its stable, who with a win at Indy notwithstanding, has made no noise in Cup. Everyone at RCR speaks highly of a new reorganization plan that will turn things around, they should pray it works.
For now I still count RCR and Roush Fenway as elite teams capable of winning races and titles but let’s see what the numbers look like at the end to this year.