2017 Happy New Year: NASCAR Addition

By Richard Tix

Three year's ago I started the NASCAR New Year article, so I thought I would revisit it again in 2017. This article is dedicated to the NASCAR drivers who will be celebrating a little harder then the rest because they want to forget. No, not Jimmie Johnson with a bottle of Tequila after he won the Championship, but rather guys who want to forget the 2016 season existed all together. If you need a reminder of how it works, look back at last years Happy New Year: NASCAR Addition.


Clint Boywer

He and his wife had another child to round out the year and celebrate, but past personal high's, Bowyer is ready to put everything from the track in 2016 behind him and move onto 2017. 2016 was hands down his worst season statistically as a driver. Bowyer finished with zero wins, zero top 5's, and three measly top 10's. In the end, Bowyer will be remembered as the last HScott driver as they're shutting the doors after the 2016 season. The year 2017 should be a 180 degree turn around even if he has a bad season. Obviously, that's because he is stepping into the SHR No. 14 to replace Tony Stewart. So, cheers Clint! Here is to you and your addition to the family and moving on from HScott for forever.


Greg Biffle

2016 marked another terrible season for Greg Biffle at RFR. The Biff has now made this list three straight years, which is down right sad. Greg had zero wins, one top 5, and three top 10's in 2016 which all tie or are career lows. To make it worse, Biffle left RFR and is now in need of a seat. Well, maybe that makes matter's better!? The Biff has been enjoying his time off (as shown on Twitter) and seems to be having a blast in the offseason. So, Biffle has already turned the end of 2016 around and will be partying no matter the outcome of his status in NASCAR for 2017. Cheers to the Biff and his quest to drive the No. 69 in NASCAR.


Paul Menard

After a few years where Menard started to trend in the right direction (2011-2014), the last two haven't gone as smooth. His three top 10's were the worst he has produced since 2009 (zero in 2009). His average finish of 22.03 was also a low since 2009. I mean really, 2016 was one of his worst season's since 2009. Meanwhile, fellow RCR driver Austin Dillon was starting to break out and Ryan Newman was doing fine. The decline was a weird one for Menard, but Ill be honest when I say I have never thought much about his skill as a driver. My personal views aside, 2016 is one to forget for Menard. Cheers to Paul, here's to going to Menards (or Lowes) way before Home Depot!


Aric Almirola

When it comes to anyone on RPM I try and give them a break. In this sport a lot has to be measured by expectations and expectations in a ride like RPM is LOW. However, Aric posted numbers that were all career low's as a full time driver. I mean EVERYTHING was a low including wins, top 5's, top 10's, poles, average starting position, average finish position, and even laps lead. Eh-ver-re-thing. All of it. Its not all Aric's fault as RPM in general had a horrific season, but it's obvious Aric is looking forward to that ball dropping and moving onto 2017. Cheer's to hoping SHR moving to Ford helps bring RPM better equipment, somehow...



Happy New Year Race Fan's!
Cheer's to 2017!