Behind the Wall: Ryan Newman

Showing posts with label Ryan Newman. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Ryan Newman

Ryan Newman 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Review

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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Friday, December 18, 2015

2015 Driver Spotlight Review: Ryan Newman

Ryan Newman 2015 Review

By Richard Tix

2015 Preview

Season Grade: C

Season Preview: "It's not bold, but I will put it out there and say I don't think he will make the Finale again. Having said that, I think he has a shot to get back in the win column this season, but as a whole the season might not be as smooth. At this point in his career he is expected to at least make the Chase. I think a win, 5-7 top 5's, and 14-16 top 10's should be plausible."

Season Review: Man, I have got to stop predicting Newman to get a win. I didn't think one win would be so hard, but he just doesn't seem to be getting speed anymore. Maybe some of it does have to do with RCR, but he is also not exactly in his prime.

Yet, every season he continues to bring in consistent finishes. He almost had an identical season to 2014 except some of his none top 10 finishes were not as quality as they were in 2014, bringing his average finish from 12.7 down to 13.5.

Still, Newman only had one more top 10 in 2014 (16) and the same amount of top 5's (5). Yet, because of how his Chase shook out he finished 11th in points and did not get a Finale berth like he did last season. Overall it wasn't a lost season, but he and RCR really need to start finding more speed if they want a shot at a Championship.

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