NASCAR Drivers on a Current Win-Less Streak
By Richard Tix
For the fourth straight year NASCAR Behind the Wall is bringing back the drivers streaking article. No, you favorite driver still has his clothes on (sorry Kasey Kahne fans, we are not that type of site), but rather your driver maybe on a long streak without a Cup win.
"We're... We're going streaking! We're going up the quad and to the gymnasium."
"But... everybody's doing it."
Paul Menard (Streak Number: 160)
The last time Menard had a win gas prices were $3.50 a gallon, LMFAO was still a group and released "Party Rock Anthem," Charlie Sheen was finally fired from "Two and a Half Men," and Osama Bin Laden was killed. The year was 2011 and 160 races ago. In 327 career Cup races that is Menard's only win, so it is safe to assume this streak may continue to grow.
The last time Menard had a win gas prices were $3.50 a gallon, LMFAO was still a group and released "Party Rock Anthem," Charlie Sheen was finally fired from "Two and a Half Men," and Osama Bin Laden was killed. The year was 2011 and 160 races ago. In 327 career Cup races that is Menard's only win, so it is safe to assume this streak may continue to grow.
Clint Bowyer (Streak Number: 113)
Clint Bowyer's win-less streak isn't quite as long as Menard, but it might be even more impressive (in a bad way). That's because before this streak of 113 races without a win, Bowyer had 8 wins in 253 races (or 1 every 32 races). It will get even harder in 2016 as he moved to HScott Motorsports for a season after MWR shut down.
Clint Bowyer's win-less streak isn't quite as long as Menard, but it might be even more impressive (in a bad way). That's because before this streak of 113 races without a win, Bowyer had 8 wins in 253 races (or 1 every 32 races). It will get even harder in 2016 as he moved to HScott Motorsports for a season after MWR shut down.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Streak Number: 112)
After winning 8 races in 107 Xfinity races (Nationwide at the time) I think a bit more was expected out of Ricky at the Cup level. Not every driver transitions with easy and at the same rate, but Ricky hasn't even really sniffed a win at the Cup level. In fact, he only has three top 5's in those 112 races (one each of the past three season's). With his struggles combining with the struggles of RFR this could be a long streak.
After winning 8 races in 107 Xfinity races (Nationwide at the time) I think a bit more was expected out of Ricky at the Cup level. Not every driver transitions with easy and at the same rate, but Ricky hasn't even really sniffed a win at the Cup level. In fact, he only has three top 5's in those 112 races (one each of the past three season's). With his struggles combining with the struggles of RFR this could be a long streak.
Greg Biffle (Streak Number: 93)
Speaking of RFR struggles, those same struggles haven't helped Biffle the past few years. Biffle is at a time in his career where win's might become few and far between, but he is still a capable driver if he only could get some speed from his car. RFR used to be very good at tracks like Michigan and other tracks similar, which always gave him a shot to win. I am not sure he can get another win unless RFR gives him a bit more than they have the past few years.
Speaking of RFR struggles, those same struggles haven't helped Biffle the past few years. Biffle is at a time in his career where win's might become few and far between, but he is still a capable driver if he only could get some speed from his car. RFR used to be very good at tracks like Michigan and other tracks similar, which always gave him a shot to win. I am not sure he can get another win unless RFR gives him a bit more than they have the past few years.
Ryan Newman (Streak Number: 88)
Newman is succeeding in the last few years despite winning. RCR hasn't been the fastest team out there, but they haven't necessarily been bad either. Ever since 2004 Newman hasn't done much more then win a race a season here and there, so these type streaks are bound to happen. But he has been running so consistent lately that you would think he would snap it by luck eventually. Maybe 2016 is the year. His numbers have stayed on par and his average finishes have actually been career bests, so he might be the best candidate so far on the list to get a win in 2016.
Austin Dillon (Streak Number: 85)
I left Dillon and Larson off the list after just one season. This might even be unfair heading into season number three for both young drivers, but both came to the Cup level with plenty of hype so I feel it is just. The last two season's Dillon hasn't flashed a ton when it comes to the potential of being a front runner. He has been an alright driver that can finish plenty around the 13-20 range, but it is tough to win when back in that spot. Between he and Larson, I see Dillons streak continuing to grow for awhile.
Newman is succeeding in the last few years despite winning. RCR hasn't been the fastest team out there, but they haven't necessarily been bad either. Ever since 2004 Newman hasn't done much more then win a race a season here and there, so these type streaks are bound to happen. But he has been running so consistent lately that you would think he would snap it by luck eventually. Maybe 2016 is the year. His numbers have stayed on par and his average finishes have actually been career bests, so he might be the best candidate so far on the list to get a win in 2016.
Austin Dillon (Streak Number: 85)
I left Dillon and Larson off the list after just one season. This might even be unfair heading into season number three for both young drivers, but both came to the Cup level with plenty of hype so I feel it is just. The last two season's Dillon hasn't flashed a ton when it comes to the potential of being a front runner. He has been an alright driver that can finish plenty around the 13-20 range, but it is tough to win when back in that spot. Between he and Larson, I see Dillons streak continuing to grow for awhile.
Tony Stewart (Streak Number: 80)
It is Stewart's last season in 2016, so if he doesn't win his streak will stand still to end hi career. He has 48 career wins, won a race in 15 straight seasons, all before going on his current 80 race win-less streak. The past few season's really have been a tough way to see his career end, but we may also witness it end with a 116 win-less streak after 2016.
It is Stewart's last season in 2016, so if he doesn't win his streak will stand still to end hi career. He has 48 career wins, won a race in 15 straight seasons, all before going on his current 80 race win-less streak. The past few season's really have been a tough way to see his career end, but we may also witness it end with a 116 win-less streak after 2016.
Jamie McMurray (Streak Number: 76)
After Newman, Jamie McMurray might be the next in line to break his streak so far on this list. He has never been a consistent winner over his career (7 wins in 474 races), but he has proven to be an exceptional super speedway type with a chance to pull off a win at a handful of other tracks. The past two seasons he has run very well, so 2016 could be the year of JMac and another Daytona/Dega win, but it is still a long shot.
After Newman, Jamie McMurray might be the next in line to break his streak so far on this list. He has never been a consistent winner over his career (7 wins in 474 races), but he has proven to be an exceptional super speedway type with a chance to pull off a win at a handful of other tracks. The past two seasons he has run very well, so 2016 could be the year of JMac and another Daytona/Dega win, but it is still a long shot.
Kyle Larson (Streak Number: 75)
Just like Dillon, it might be early in there career to get on this list, but both have had enough hype to justify this spot early on. After a great rookie season, Larson was getting preseason hype going into 2015 and most thought he would get his first win, if not two. He fell into a big Sophomore slump and now heads into 2016 with the pressure of winning as other young guns enter Cup (Elliott, Blaney, and Buescher). Out of anyone on this list I have the most confidence in Larson to break his streak in 2016. I am not positive it will happen, but he is the first on this list in my mind to get a win.
Just like Dillon, it might be early in there career to get on this list, but both have had enough hype to justify this spot early on. After a great rookie season, Larson was getting preseason hype going into 2015 and most thought he would get his first win, if not two. He fell into a big Sophomore slump and now heads into 2016 with the pressure of winning as other young guns enter Cup (Elliott, Blaney, and Buescher). Out of anyone on this list I have the most confidence in Larson to break his streak in 2016. I am not positive it will happen, but he is the first on this list in my mind to get a win.
*The Streak Number is the number at the beginning of the 2016 season. All numbers have been extended once the season starts and some drivers may finally beat the streak. However, the article will not be updated every week to reflect the 2016 races that have gone by.
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