RPM 2015 Season Preview
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By Richard Tix
2014 Team Stats of Returning Drivers
Races: 37
Wins: 1
Top 5: 2
Top 10: 7
Pole: 0
2014 Chase Drivers: 1
The 2014 season bought a ton of excitement to Richard Petty Motorsports when Aric Almirola got a shocking win during a rain shortened Daytona. Aric put the #43 back into contention for the first time in many years, but it fell short fast when he was knocked out in the first round of the Chase.
It still was an exciting time for RPM and might be something to build on. The other big news story for RPM in 2014 was that Marcus Ambrose was not renewing his contract and was leaving to go back to Australia. That left RPM with one driver for the 2015 season.
It was later announced that one time full-time Cup driver Sam Hornish Jr would take over the #9 full-time in 2015.
Still, after a successful season RPM heads into 2015 with a bunch of open sponsorship spots for races. During Media Week RPM said they had about 26 unsold races for the 2015 season. That seems like a lot when you think of RPM as a team trying to rise back up.
I think RPM really needs to think about getting a few more young guys to develop so in the future they have some more options to put in the seat. Maybe some young guns can help bring some sponsors and in turn help build this team back up. Right now it seems like even after a season where Almirola got into the Chase, this team is in a funk.
Aric Almirola
- Almost all of those stats above are Aric Almirola's, actually all but one race. So, a lot of uncertainty hangs over RPM in 2015. I have always been partial to Aric since he came up, but a lot of that has to do with I was raised as a King fan (my oldest brother and his buddy were huge fans and our parents before that). So, I always try and see things on the bright side for him, but I am just not sure that the one win in 2014 will translate. At times he runs well, but then he goes through stretches where he cant get out of the 20's. After a fun 2014, 2015 might be a let down.
Sam Hornish Jr
- First, I liked Marcus Ambrose a lot after I met him at MIS in 2009. I wouldn't call myself a fan, but he was a nice guy that time and the few times I ran into him after that (all at MIS), but Hornish maybe an upgrade as an all around driver at the Cup level. At times it seemed lie Marcus would figure out a track, but then it fell apart. I think Hornish will be more well rounded for a full season especially at ovals. However, I still think he finishes about the same area Marcus normally did (19-23) in points. Also, Marcus was an all world driver at the road courses which gave him a shot at making the Chase in the new format. So, this trade-off might be a push when it comes to the #9 in 2015 (maybe even an edge to Marcus).
