2015 Driver Spotlight Preview: Clint Bowyer

Clint Bowyer 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

It's now 2015 and "spin gate" is towards the back of most NASCAR Fan's memory's, yet something has been hanging around Clint since then. What is still hanging around you say? Well, the fact that he has yet to win since that night in Richmond.

In fact, Bowyer has seemed to be in a complete slump since that race. I am sure this past season's results had nothing to do with those actions in 2013, but that image hasn't helped him during this slump. 

MWR as a whole just didn't seem to have "it" in 2014. The whole organization was under a microscope during and because of "spin gate." The team that looked like it was up and coming in the NASCAR world, one that I even thought might be a new power, fell back off the map in 2014.

Because of that night in Richmond the team lost Martin Truex Jr, NAPA as a sponsor, and its third car because of sponsors leaving. But, not all of there 2014 struggles came from still overcoming there shortfalls and corner cutting at Richmond. Some of the blame may rest on TRD as well. Just like JGR, it didn't seem like anyone racing in a Toyota had the speed they needed in 2014. Whether that was coming from the engines or the old body style Camary's, its not certain.

As I mentioned in the JGR Season Review, it seemed like maybe Toyota was holding back a bit because they knew they were going to a new body style in 2015. I know a team would never hold back for a whole year, but it almost seemed like JGR was holding there best cars for the Chase.

Unfortunately, Clint Bowyer didn't have the luxury of saving cars for the Chase, he needed to make the Chase. So, some of the shortfalls of 2014 maybe on him, but some could be on Toyota Racing Development as well. 2015 will be a big season for Bowyer and MWR.

Bold Predictions/2015 Season Expectations:

• As I just mentioned, 2015 will be a big year for Clint. He is on a long win-less streak right now that spans the past two seasons (2014 and 2013). It has been 77 races since his last win, which is currently one of the most for a competitive top 20 driver right now. So, in 2015 he will have to prove again that he can still win on the Cup level. I think in 2015 he gets a step back and finishes with a win, 6-8 top 10's, and 17-19 top 10's, all of which would be uptick's from last season. 

List of Previous Driver Spotlights

Predicting a NASCAR Champion

Who Will be NASCAR's 2014 Champion?

NASCAR Behind the Wall's Brief Look at Past NASCAR Champions

By Richard Tix

The 2014 NASCAR Season is almost apon us as we head to Daytona. NASCAR will kick of a new Era of racing after the offseason brought plenty of new changes including a new qualifying format, new penalty system, and a whole new Chase Points System. Speedweeks have started (you can check out the speedweek schedule here for everything all the way up to the Daytona 500) and fans are getting excited. Aside from the millions of questions about how drivers will do and how will the new points system work, the big one remains....Who will be the 2014 NASCAR Champion?

Most fans will answer that question with there favorite drivers name. Now while I would love to say Brad Keselowski, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, or Clint Bowyer (among many others I follow) I try to keep it as unbiased as possible (This Blog was never meant to be a fan driver blog, but a blog where every NASCAR fan can come, read, and communicate there opinion to me through the blog or Twitter).

That being said, unless you pick Jimmie Johnson every year to win the Championship, picking a Champion before the season is a tough task that you normally end up getting wrong (once again unless you have been picking JJ, in which you look pretty darn good right now). So NASCAR Behind the Wall is going to give you a look at the past 20 NASCAR Cup Champions and there stats. 10 season's of the Chase Era and the 10 previous seasons to that. Just to help you get an idea of what a Champion is made of. So take a look!

NASCAR Champions 1994-2013
Chase Era Champions 2004-2013
Year	Driver	WIN (%)	Top 5 (%)	Top 10 (%)	Start	Fin	Laps Lead
2013	Johnson	6 (16.7%)	16 (44.4%)	24 (66.7%)	9.8	10.7	1985
2012	Keselowski	5 (13.9%)	13 (36.1%)	23 (63.9%)	16.2	10.1	735
2011	Stewart	5 (13.9%)	9 (25.0%)	19 (52.8%)	17.7	12.0	913
2010	Johnson	6 (16.7%)	17 (47.2%)	23 (63.9%)	9.4	12.2	1315
2009	Johnson	7 (19.4%)	16 (44.4%)	24 (66.7%)	8.2	11.1	2238
2008	Johnson	7 (19.4%)	15 (41.7%)	22 (61.1%)	8.5	10.5	1959
2007	Johnson	10 (27.8%)	20 (55.6%)	24 (66.7%)	9.8	10.8	1290
2006	Johnson	5 (13.9%)	13 (36.1%)	24 (66.7%)	10.8	9.7	854
2005	Stewart	5 (13.9%)	17 (47.2%)	25 (69.4%)	12.0	9.9	1845
2004	Ku Busch	3 (8.3%)	10 (27.8%)	21 (58.3%)	15.0	12.5	746
Pre-Chase Era 1994-2003
2003	Kenseth	1 (2.8%)	11 (30.6%)	25 (69.4%)	21.3	10.2	354
2002	Stewart	3 (8.3%)	15 (41.7%)	21 (58.3%)	13.2	12.6	745
2001	Gordon	6 (16.7%)	18 (50.0%)	24 (66.7%)	9.5	11.0	2320
2000	B Labonte	4 (11.8%)	19 (55.9%)	24 (70.6%)	11.6	7.4	465
1999	Jarrett	4 (11.8%)	24 (70.6%)	29 (85.3%)	13.2	6.8	1061
1998	Gordon	7 (20.6%)	18 (52.9%)	21 (61.8%)	7.4	12.9	1319
1997	Gordon	10 (31.2%)	22 (68.8%)	23 (71.9%)	9.4	9.6	1647
1996	T Labonte	2 (6.5%)	21 (67.7%)	24 (77.4%)	10.6	8.2	973
1995	Gordon	7 (22.6%)	17 (54.8%)	23 (74.2%)	5.0	9.5	2610
1994	Earnhardt	4 (12.9%)	20 (64.5%)	25 (80.6%)	15.3	8.0	1013

Now that we have that out of the way, who the heck is going to win in 2014? For the sake of not just trying to pick JJ who I think has a 60% chance of winning it, would be higher if it was the old system, I wont be picking him. I also think he can be taken down so I will be picking someone else. Sorry Jimmie fans.


Final Eight

For the final eight I will just do a quick run down. This is my preseason prediction, I will most likely take a look at this again about mid season.

Drivers: Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Brad Keselowski, and Clint Bowyer.

Final Four

I really like a three guys at JGR in 2014. I think Kyle just came off a good 2013 run, and now that the Chase is split up into three's I think he has a shot. I think Denny Hamlin will come back strong. If he does and he makes the final four watch out because he has been good at Homestead. Matt Kenseth came off a hot 2013 but I think he could slow down some in 2014.

Drivers: Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart

2014 Champion

This is a toss up, I really like both JGR drivers. I think with the emphasis on winning it will either make Kyle that much better in a season or kill his season (when he lacks consistency). Denny has just been so good at Homestead that its hard to pick against him. That's the crazy thing about this set up.

Driver: Kyle Busch


Think of how crazy it would be if Hamlin and Busch were fighting for the Championship. I have Kyle edging Hamlin (gut feeling) but if both drivers truly make the Final Four it will be tough to bet against DH. After looking at these predictions it seems so tough to pick each round. I mean a guy who is still in it at Talladega could pull off the upset win and advance. So I am sure in the end these will change by mid year, and then get all messed up come Chase time!

NASCAR Behind the Wall also took a stab at some other random predictions, so if you havent check those out too! Also, let me know on Twitter what you think!


Daytona Information Links:

• Daytona History- ThisSportz (Great Blog. Follow them and the writers on Twitter!) Also, on the left sidebar you will find a quick link to there site.
• Preseason Power Rankings
• Daytona Budweiser Duel Lineups
• Daytona 500 Entry List
• Daytona Schedule

2014 Chase Predictions

NASCAR Behind the Wall's 2014 Prediction's

Which Drivers Will Make the Chase in 2014?

By Richard Tix

The year 2014 will start a new Era in NASCAR History. NASCAR started a new Ear in 2004 when they introduced the Chase, a ten race "playoff" to determine the Cup Champion. Now, 10 years later, we will enter the Chase 2.0 Era in which everything has changed. A new emphasis on winning has been put upon teams and drivers. Which drivers will go down as 1 of the 16 drivers to be in the new Chase? NASCAR Behind the Wall will take a stab at some preseason predictions and take a look at them all season long.

Who will make the Chase?

16 drivers now have a chance to get in, and predicting who will make it will be as tough as ever. NASCAR behind the Wall will list 16 drivers and how there chances stack up (IN, GREAT, GOOD,OK).

1. Jimmie Johnson (IN)- No need to worry here, a points change wont stop him from getting into the Chase, it is just the elimination rounds and last race that he needs to focus on.
2. Kyle Busch (IN)- Rowdy has never had a problem winning, and that is the name of the game now. Look for Kyle to lock his spot in the Chase early in 2014.
3. Tony Stewart (IN)- 15 straight seasons with a win. I don't care about his hurt leg, he will win in 2014.
4. Matt Kenseth (IN)- Kenseth is coming off of 7 wins in 2013, will he do that again? Probably not, but he should notch a few to get into the Chase (Thinking 2 or 3 is all).
5. Kasey Kahne (GREAT)- With a win in his last 3 seasons, and in a Hendrick car, Kahne should have no problem finding a win in 2014. He should make the Chase, but consistency will be what he needs when it starts.
6. Kevin Harvick (GREAT)- He has a win in four straight seasons. New team, but that shouldn't stop him from notching a win or two, heck he could become last years Kenseth or he could struggle under a new team (wait and see). **Look's like Harvick should be a lock for the Chase after winning at Phoenix**
7. Kurt Busch (GREAT)- Well, he is with a new team with a new start. Will he struggle? Kurt should win in 2014.
8. Denny Hamlin (GREAT)- He finds ways to win every year, only missing the old version of the Chase one time (2013) because of an injury, he is in. He could have a very good season in 2014.
9. Clint Bowyer (GOOD)- He went win less in 2013. He is now MWR's main focus, I don't see him win less again in 2014. **Update 5/29: So far, this prediction is not looking so good. Clint has struggled thus far.**
10. Brad Keselowski (GOOD)- 2014 should be a bounce back for the 2012 Champ, but bad luck and Ford not making a step forward wont help so hopefully those turn around.
11. Joey Logano (GOOD)- I think 2013 could be a stepping stone season for JoLo. He could start to be a contender now, maybe he has matured and figured it all out. If he doesn't take the next step will we start to think this is the plateau for him?
12. Jeff Gordon (GOOD)- Well, in the last 6 years he has been winning less and less, but never count Gordon out.
13. Carl Edwards (OK)- Last year wasn't a good finish, and the year before that flat out sucked. Carl needs to find it again.
14. Greg Biffle (OK)- Could this be his last year at Roush? More seasons then not the Biff finds a win or two.
15. Dale Earnhardt Jr (OK)- Win, Win, Win. That's all Jr should be thinking about. **Check Jr off the list, he should be in. Pretty good when my #15 is already in after his win at Daytona**
16. Ryan Newman (OK)- Will a new ride (RCR) help Newman get back over the 1 win a season hump? Or will it set him back? I for one think he will have a great season, might be a nice surprise.

The top 16 seems to be a "safe bet" list. NASCAR Behind the Wall will take a better look at some underdogs who could make a splash in this years 16 car Chase field.

• Brian Vickers- I have faith in Vickers. If he doesn't have health issues this year he could be in the mix. He did win last year in only 17 races.
• Jamie McMurray- Every few years he finds a win, normally at a super speedway. Will 2014 be another year he pulls one out?
• Austin Dillon- In his Rookie year he will be a love/hate driver, that's for sure, but can he win at the highest level? He didn't win in Nationwide in 2013. He will start from the Pole for the 500 which is a good start, but never forget so did Danica (don't jump the gun I believe he will be better than her in his first year).
• Marcus Ambrose- Well, he got skunked on road courses in 2013, but never count him out. If he pulls off either one (or both) he could make the Chase.
• AJ Allmendinger- I really like AJ this season, its just a hunch, but I think he could have a good year. Will it be good enough to get into the Chase? That's tough, but it could be a big year for him as he gets another shot in Cup.
• Martin Truex Jr- His chances went way down when NAPA split ways with MWR and then Truex was left looking for a ride. Can he compete in the #78? It will be tough, he is not the wheel man that Kurt Busch is but he is certainly a good driver. He will start next to Dillon on the front row for the 500, proving he can find speed with his new team.

2014 Random Predictions

Who Will Have the Better Season Kevin Harvick or Ryan Newman?

• These two drivers pretty much swapped spots from SHR and RCR. So they will be easy to compare all season. But who will do better in 2014? On the outside it looks like an easy answer, it has to be Harvick right? Well, NASCAR Behind the Wall is going to go out on a limb and say this race will be a lot closer than some think. We are going to give the slight edge to Ryan Newman in a shocker. "Go big or go home" right?
• Edge: Newman (Slightly)

Who Will Run Better in 2014, Danica or Stenhouse?

• Danica is being pushed off to the side at SHR so will it make her want it more, or will she not receive the attention she needs to learn? Stenhouse had a quality rookie year, but many rookies are coming in 2014 and will try and show him up. I still say Ricky will make an improvement on last year, however slight it is, it will be enough to out duel Danica.
• Edge: Stenhouse Jr

Who Has the Best Chance to Get Every Team Driver into the Chase? (Hendrick or SHR)

• Hendrick should win this one pretty easy, but Dale Jr needs to win in 2014. Even if he doesn't he should have enough points to steal a spot after all the winners are decided. Danica makes this a no brainer towards Hendrick, but can she steal a super speedway win? (JGR was left out, they should hands down all make it in)
• Edge: Hendrick

Who Wins First in 2014? Harvick or Kurt Busch

• NASCAR Behind the Wall has already taken an in depth look at this with the article SHR Fresh Faces. As we found out in the research, it truly is a tossup. This is for predictions though so someone has to win right?
• Edge: Kevin Harvick
• **Update 3/3/14 Looks like I was on the right page with this one. Kevin Harvick proved early at Phoenix he can win with SHR.**

Who Wins ROY Honors?

• 2014's ROY class is huge! Before it got to such a large number of rookie drivers it was already going to be a good year for rookies. The class started with Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson. Most likely the end ROY fight will come down to them because they have started out in the best position (better cars and teams).
• Edge: Austin Dillon

How will Dale Earnhardt Jr do in 2014, he and Letarte's last Hurrah? Will He Have Multiple Wins?

• Letarte is going to the booth in 2015 and leaving Jr as CC. Letarte is known for helping turn around a struggling Jr and making him relevant again. Yet, they haven't found a way to find wins. After coming off a good 2013 season, will they make one last run at glory? I think that both will use this as a chance for a no pressure situation and take advantage. I think Jr will come up with multiple wins in 2014 and leave people wondering, what if they had one more year?
• Edge: Multiple Wins

Who Ends with More Wins in 2014, Kyle or Kurt Busch?

• Kurt Busch is in a new ride with new equipment in 2014, and it might help him get back to his winning ways. Kurt should get a win in 2014, but I think Kyle might end the season with the most wins in NASCAR.
• Edge: Kyle

How Many Races Before Tony Stewart Gets to 50 Wins? (2 More Wins)

• This is a shot out of a cannon guess (Who else has a shot at 50 in there career?). He normally doesn't get hot until summer, but he has had seasons where he starts off well, so its a toss up. So lets just take a shot in the dark:
• 20 Races (How fitting would it be if he wins at Indy for #50)

Who Finishes Highest At Joe Gibbs Racing?

• Its like shooting fish in a barrel, who will be the lucky one (or unlucky if you are an actual fish). Kenseth has been the most consistent in the Chase when it comes to finishing high, but its a new era. Denny Hamlin has been the second best at finishing high. But, Kyle Busch (the inconsistent Chase finisher) could gain the most in this new format with an emphasis on winning. I'm going to go on a limb here.
• Kyle Busch

Will a Chase Spot be Stolen at a Road Course?

• So will a guy like Ambrose, Martin Truex, or Allmendinger who may not have won before turning right steal a potential Chase spot? AJ could definitely win at a non road course, but his run in Nationwide last year was pretty impressive to think he could maybe steal one on a road course. Ambrose is always a threat at road courses. (This is not to say these drivers couldn't steal one elsewhere).
• No, I think Ambrose will be shut out again in 2014 at road courses. Look out for AJ this season though.

Biggest Surprise Driver in 2014?

• Brian Vickers or AJ Almendinger. Also, Ryan Newman with a multi win season.

Most Disappointing Driver in 2014?

• Kevin Harvick. Going on a limb here, but after a great 2013 he has a lot of pressure to perform at SHR.
• **Update 5/29: No way this prediction becomes true. I thought one SHR newcomer would struggle, but I was wrong on which one. Even if things go south from here, Harvick will still have a good enough year.**

Next I will take a look at past Champions of the Chase Era and before. We will take a look at them and try to figure out who will make the Last 8, Final Four, and be the 2014 Champion. So look back often so you don't miss it!

Well that's enough questions answered that I can get wrong in one season. What do you think? Many great questions to be answered throughout the 2014 season. It should be a good one, so lets get it started. Lets hear your predictions on Twitter! Have anymore predictions you want answered? Send them to me on Twitter!