Richard Petty Motorsports 2014 Review
By Richard Tix
2014 Team Stats
Wins: 1
Top 5: 5
Top 10: 14
Pole: 0
Coming into 2014 I thought this new Chase opened the door for guys at RPM to make the Chase. Like most people, that chance looked like it would be Marcus Ambrose's at a road course where he specializes. Well, Ambrose was shut out at both road courses missing his shot at the Chase. However, my statement was still someone correct before the season because the door did open for a RPM car to make the Chase. That car was the #43 of Aric Almirola after he won a rain shortened Daytona race.
In the end RPM took a step forward in 2014. The win at Daytona was nice. It was Almirola's first Cup win but also broke a long win less streak for the famed #43. But, the increased consistency was also a plus on the season. RPM ended the season with 4 more top 5's then 2013 and two more top 10's. It was a step in the right direction for RPM that they will try and carry over into 2015.
- Aric made his first Chase appearance of his career after his first career win which came at Daytona. He didn't do much with the appearance but the experience and confidence it brought the whole team could help going forward. He had 1 win, 2 top 5's (1 more than 2013), and 7 top 10's (1 more than 2013). He also finished a career high 16th in the points (previous high 18th in 2013).
Marcus Ambrose
- 2014 marked Ambrose's last full time season in Cup. Unfortunately he left it on a sour note when he didn't notch a win at either road course. One thing is for sure, Marcus was one of the most entertaining road course racer's of any NASCAR Era. I am hopefully that someone will give him a decent ride in 2015 for NASCAR's two road course stops, but I maybe dreaming. He finished 2014 with 0 wins, 3 top 5's, and 7 top 10's. He finished his final season in Cup 23rd in points.
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