Ryan Newman 2016 Preview
By Richard Tix
Ryan Newman is now two for two on making the new Chase. Both seasons (2014 and 2015) he has done so without winning a race. All in all his wins, top 5's, and top 10 numbers have not jumped off the page and made you think, Chase driver.
However, when you look deeper you start to see how Newman has transformed from a guy who was fast on occasion (winning a race here or there) mixed with some bad finishes, into a guy who hasn't been winning as often but has been much more consistent.
The last two season's Newman has actually posted his best two season average finishes of his career (12.7 and 13.5). He is sticking in races and doesn't have poor runs. He is also doing this with RCR who has been at best second tier the last few years (Hendrick, JGR, and Penske Tier 1).
No matter how you look at it Newman has been as consistent as they come during this new era, he just hasn't always been a front runner weekly.
Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:
- I expect to see a lot of the same for Newman in 2016. If you look back at his career (minus his hot streak to start between 2002-2004) he has been pretty steady. It is safe to assume he will finish without a win again, with 5-6 top 5's, and 15-17 top 10's. The biggest question is can he make the new Chase three out of three seasons? I think he and the #31 team have it figured out and will once again get in on points if they do not squeak out a trip to VL. He still made it in 2015 even with the points deduction from his team manipulating his tires.
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