2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Chris Buescher

Chris Buescher 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

It is a fresh start for Chris Buescher and the #34 Front Row Motorsports Team. Last year when David Ragan took the void left by Kyle Busches injury in the #18 it left FRM with replacement drivers. The news heading into the offseason, however, was that FRM had found its guy for the 2016 season.

That guy will be Cup rookie Chris Buesher. They also have a technical alliance with Roush Fenway Racing (which is who Chris is aligned with). He got his feet wet at the Cup level last season with 6 races under his belt. All 6 were in the same #34 car he will run full time in 2016. 

His best race of 2015 was actually his first race at Fontana when he finished 20th and had a positive pass difference of 7. Fontana was his only top 20, but he did have four top 25's in his six races, which isn't too bad as a part timer in the #34.

Looking past his short stint in 2015 as a Cup driver Chris was also the 2016 Xfinity Champion after winning 2 races, 11 top 5's, and 20 top 10's in 33 races. He also ran full time in 2014 at the Xfinity level (Nationwide at that time) and finished 7th in the standings with a win, 5 top 5's, and 14 top 10's. 

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• Chris Buescher could legitimately be a Rookie of the Year candidate which should be his goal. However, I have lower expectations for him. I see him finishing third in the ROY chase behind Elliott and Blaney. It isn't that he doesn't have a future, but Roush Fenway has been terrible the last few years and I don't see a huge turnaround even if they start taking a step in the right direction (RFR has an alliance with FRM). Plus, Elliott and Blaney have better rides/alliances on there side. I think working on a top 5 or two, 2-4 top 10's, and a good chunk of top 15's will be the first step in his career. If RFR ever gets it figured out, he could be a very good driver as soon as this season, even.

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2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Chase Elliott

Chase Elliott 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

Chase Elliott Career Paint Schemes

2016 NASCAR Rookie of the Year Battle

Normally the headline would be the Rookie of the Year battle between Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney (plus Buescher and Scott). However, Chase is filling big shoes in the same season as he will compete for the ROY award. After Jeff Gordon announced his retirement HMS also announced that Elliott would step into the #24's seat.

So, he will forever be linked with Jeff Gordon, which will always bring extra pressure. And all of this isn't even mentioning that he is the son of Awesome Bill from Dawsonville (Bill Elliott).

Boy, this should be a fun rookie season.

In 2014, Elliott got a 5 race head start to his rookie year in 2015 and had some promising moments. in those five races he had finishes of 16th, 18th, and 18th for three top 20's. His best race of the year might have been his second career Cup race, Richmond, where he ran 142 laps in the top 15 and finished 16th.

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• Anything less than a Rookie of the Year Award will be considered a disappointment for Elliott considering how much pressure might be on him. He is with a top tier team, he fills in for Jeff Gordon's retirement, and he will go head to head in a quality ROY class. I think he could surprise and be the first 2016 rookie to get a win this year (most likely the only one). 1 win, 4-5 top 5's, and 6-9 top 10's are all low numbers that he should be easily attainable (except maybe the trip to VL). 

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2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Ryan Blaney

Ryan Blaney 2016 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

Ryan Blaney Career Paint Schemes

2015 NASCAR Rookie of the Year Battle

Ryan Blaney entered 2015 knowing he would get to run a full handful of races in the #21 for Wood Brothers, with Team Penske backing. Throughout the year he flashed during some races and proved to be a quality car in the field. 

In 2016 it was announced that he would get a full time ride and compete for the Rookie of the Year award with Wood Brothers. Again, he will be in the #21 and they will get backing from Team Penske which should give him a good shot to compete week to week.

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• Blaney obviously won't have the lofty expectations as Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski but he will still be the focus of many NASCAR fans as he will go up against Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher for ROY (among others). Obviously the main expectation will be to win Rookie of the Year, but he should also have a shot to be a top 20 driver in his rookie campaign. 2-3 top 5's and 3-6 top 10's should be a nice goal for his season as a floor, with the upside to really jump off the page. I do think he could be an outside sleeper to make the Chase in 2016, but it wont be easy and it isn't probable. This should be a fun rookie class.

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2016 NASCAR Driver Spotlight Preview: Austin Dillon

Austin Dillon 2016 Preview

By Richard Tix

2015 Season Review

Austin Dillon Career Paint Schemes

Overall Dillon's 2015 went a lot like 2014. He finished with the same amount of top 5's (1), one more top 10 (5), and finished in the standings right about the same spot (21st in 2015, 20th in 2014). The biggest difference was Dillon finishing more races in the top 15 and top 20 in his rookie season compared to last year.

It was a fine season for the second year driver, but I think many fans expected at least a small jump in the right direction. The pressure will start to mount in the next few years for him to produce, especially with his brother Ty coming up the ranks and getting more Cup seat time.

Bold Predictions/2016 Season Expectations:

• I'm not sure that expectations should go up for Austin Dillon with him still being at RCR and really not showing much reason for hope in 2015. However, I think the pressure will start to mount for him in his third year. I still expect the same type of season for Austin, though. 1-2 top 5's, and 4-6 top 10's will be the floor for him, anything less and it is another disappointment. 

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