Silly Season 2020

Team Penske said:
JRM must be running for maximum profit this year with that line up of drivers.
Also you can see, HMS has no driver in the line up so JRM is on it's own as far as engineering goes. Could be a couple years before Junior has a top team again.
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Junior has always stated he isn't running a charity organization. Gragson, Zane Smith are development drivers.

Obviously they could use an experienced shoe. It would help their speed to put Chase and any of the other Cup drivers in the 8.
 
JRM is not doing anything on its own.

Cars, engines, engineering, key people ... all from HMS. The idea that this particular Mother Ship doesn’t have the resources to do all of this while improving its own Cup program is amusing, to say the least.
 
Any news on who will be in the 14 next year? From what it looks like Clint's contract is done at the end of the year. Just figured by this time we'd hear more speculation as this has to be to most competitive seat that will possibly be open for 2020.

Waiting to see if he makes the playoffs? I'd imagine it comes down to who Gene wants to see in the car as he's putting his name on that ride a lot.

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I doubt that anyone will be surprised when Kurt Busch extends with Ganassi. The biggest dominoes yet to fall are the 1 and the 14, IMO.

 
Nice Win by Jones, especially with all the emotional drama surrounding Matt D when the music stops.

JGR seems to have come together nicely this year and for 2020.
 
Had to listen to that one on the ol XM radio while driving last night. Great job by Erik Jones awesome win! That was intense and I bet it was good on tv too. I knew he had talent and been waiting to see him click off some wins which no doubt I bet he does now. This is one of if not the most difficult track to win at too. Would love to see JGR somehow run out of rides like they did for Matt D and this kid end up in a Ford at Stewart Haas of course that aint going to happen. Heard there was a big crowd at the track guess Nascar might be coming back to life? Good!! All around. I didnt care for the package but I will shut up on that anymore since obvious I am wrong about that. Congrats to Erik Jones he is a badass.
 
im seeing more and more rumors of somehow Ty Dillon not being in the 13 next year (the one i seen today was about him being within the RCR company and not racing)
 
NascarUnderdogs said:
im seeing more and more rumors of somehow Ty Dillon not being in the 13 next year (the one i seen today was about him being within the RCR company and not racing)
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Man if that's the case I sure how it his choice. IMO he may actually be more talented of a driver than his brother, just not running near as good of equipment

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wi_racefan said:
Man if that's the case I sure how it his choice. IMO he may actually be more talented of a driver than his brother, just not running near as good of equipment

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im the farthest from a Dillon fan,but to me it always seemed like Ty was more talented
 
wi_racefan said:
Man if that's the case I sure how it his choice. IMO he may actually be more talented of a driver than his brother, just not running near as good of equipment
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Between Bowman's stint subbing for Jr and since, Chastain's Xfinity gig last year, and DeBenedetto's performance since the #95 has been getting better support, I'm convinced many of the guys I've made fun of are a whole lot better than their equipment.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
Between Bowman's stint subbing for Jr and since, Chastain's Xfinity gig last year, and DeBenedetto's performance since the #95 has been getting better support, I'm convinced many of the guys I've made fun of are a whole lot better than their equipment.
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Hopefully with a new more affordable car coming, the competition has a better chance of getting tighter between the haves and the have nots
 
wi_racefan said:
Man if that's the case I sure how it his choice. IMO he may actually be more talented of a driver than his brother, just not running near as good of equipment

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Eh. I question that. He wasn't great in Trucks or Xfinity. Could see him wanting to help his Dad run RCR once RC steps down.
 
Jordan Bianchi in The Athletic has posted an interesting update on the 2020 driver situation at Front Row Motorsports and Go Fas Racing. FRM general manager Jerry Freeze and Go Fas team owner Archie St. Hilaire offer genuine insight into what life is like for third-tier teams who aspire to reach the midfield.

Jerry Freeze makes it clear that David Ragan was not pushed into retirement... a revelation that surprises me. But now that Ragan is leaving, leading candidates for the #38 Ford seem to be Matt DiBenedetto and Corey LaJoie. He is pretty candid in discussing the difficulty of putting together a deal for Matt D.

Go Fas team owner Archie St. Hilaire is seeking a technical alliance with a major Ford-backed team... but he bluntly rejects the rumored concept of bringing in Cole Custer in the manner Bob Leavine is undertaking to service Christopher Bell and Joe Gibbs for a year. Bravo for that!

Matt DiBenedetto, Corey LaJoie top Front Row Motorsports’ list of targets for 2020

By Jordan Bianchi for The Athletic - Sep 2, 2019

Just a few weeks ago, Front Row Motorsports anticipated its current driver lineup of Michael McDowell, David Ragan and Matt Tifft would return intact for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, providing continuity for the organization as it attempts to build itself into a contender.

Those plans were altered on Aug. 14 when Ragan unexpectedly announced he would no longer compete in every Cup race in 2020, taking a step back from a full-time schedule to spend more time with his family. That decision, which Ragan disclosed to FRM a week before he made it public, put into motion a process for FRM to determine who will supplant Ragan as the driver of its No. 38 Ford.

FRM has wasted little time, already speaking to representatives for several drivers, general manager Jerry Freeze told The Athletic. Those include representatives for Matt DiBenedetto and Corey LaJoie, two drivers whose names have been bandied about publicly.

DiBenedetto’s contract was not renewed by Leavine Family Racing, making him a free agent at the conclusion of the 2019 season. The 28-year-old has earned widespread praise for delivering LFR its best-ever results this season, including a runner-up finish at Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks ago and four other finishes inside the top 10.

But despite elevating the single-car team performance to heights it had not experienced previously, LFR opted to make way for star prospect Christopher Bell in its No. 95 car via an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota, a move first reported by The Athletic and expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

The repeated setbacks DiBenedetto has encountered throughout his star-crossed career has transformed him into a fan favorite. And with FRM having an unexpected opening, this pairing of driver and team could realistically materialize and benefit both parties.

Freeze is among the many who recognize DiBenedetto’s talent, and believes DiBenedetto could elevate the Bob Jenkins-owned team. Front Row had discussions with DiBenedetto last year as it was adding a third car, a seat eventually occupied by Tifft.

“It is such a puzzle to put together, and I don’t know that people really appreciate that,” Freeze said. “They just see, Matt DiBenedetto setting the world on fire and he’s looking for a job, just hire him. Yeah, that might be.

“I know he’s weighing out all of his opportunities, and he’s high on our list, too. It just seems like a natural fit, and I won’t say that it won’t happen, but I won’t say that it will happen either. It’s just all those little dominoes have to line up.”

For his next opportunity, DiBenedetto is seeking a team that can provide him with equipment good enough to contend. FRM has two wins in 973 combined starts. It earned its most recent checkered flag when Chris Buescher won the weather-shortened 2016 summer race at Pocono Raceway, which effectively clinched FRM its only playoff berth. (Ragan gave FRM its second win at Talladega Superspeedway in 2013.)

“As far as criteria, I have to win at this point,” DiBenedetto said. “I know I can win and so that would be my only criteria. I feel like at this point, I’ve got to continue climbing the ladder, however that is, and winning is priority.”

FRM has no timetable on when it will select Ragan’s replacement, while McDowell and Tifft are set to return, Freeze said. McDowell is the highest ranked among FRM teammates in the Cup standings, sitting 28th overall. Ragan is 30th, and the rookie Tifft is 31st.

Whoever is selected to replace Ragan will have to fill a large role that goes beyond on-track performance.

FRM regards Ragan, 33, as a linchpin. Freeze cites his ability behind the wheel and willingness to help court potential sponsors as a big reason why FRM was able to grow from an organization with little outside funding upon his arrival in 2012 to one that now touts several mainstay sponsors.

“We’ll miss David without a doubt,” Freeze said. “He brought us our first win. He is an absolute threat to win every time you go to Daytona and Talladega, which is big for us. Then there’s a whole host of other tracks that he’s performed really well at for us over the years. So we’re going to miss this talent. We’re going to miss him as an ambassador with our partners.

“So we’ll miss him first and foremost, but it is an opportunity to get somebody else in the stable that maybe has some relationships to bring along and can help. We’re kind of weighing all that out right now, and hopefully talent too and that’s what it’s all about. Trying to marry up the guy with the most talent and maybe has a little help to come along in the form of sponsorship that helps offset some of those expenses we’ve got.”

The 27-year-old LaJoie is another name mentioned as a potential replacement. (NBC Sports first reported the possibility.)

LaJoie is in his first season with GoFas Racing, having moved into the ride when DiBenedetto vacated it to pursue opportunities that could better provide him with competitive equipment. He is under a one-year contract with the single-car team.

On the track, LaJoie has impressed by recording a better average finish (25.4) and more points per race (11.6) than what DiBenedetto (27.0 average finish, 10.2 points per race) accumulated with GoFas last season. And off the track LaJoie has showcased his personality on a weekly podcast where he often riffs unfiltered on variety of topics.

“(LaJoie’s) one that I think we’ve got some interest in, too,” Freeze said. “He’s done a really good job in the GoFas car, and I’ve heard there’s some stuff going on with (GoFas) next year that maybe it’s not good for Corey and his future there. So, he’s certainly one that we’ve got an interest in for sure. It seems to be a good fit.

If LaJoie does go to FRM, that would leave GoFas weighing its options for its No. 32 Ford in 2020.

Go Fas team owner Archie St. Hilaire told The Athletic his single-car team is negotiating to enter into a technical alliance with a Ford-backed organization he would not identify. St. Hilaire hopes a decision on an alliance will be finalized within the “next two to three weeks,” then the team will focus on locking up a driver.

Industry speculation is that GoFas would align with Stewart-Haas Racing. That potential partnership could entail SHR Xfinity driver Cole Custer being elevated to Cup and taking over the ride currently occupied by LaJoie.

But St. Hilaire dismissed the speculation that Custer is a candidate for his team. He indicated his preference is to re-sign LaJoie and has begun negotiating a one-year extension. (St. Hilaire said he only offers contracts that are a year in length.)

“I don’t see Cole Custer coming to our team,” St. Hilaire said. “The kid has a world of opportunity, and I think it’s a little different than Bell going to (LFR). We’re hoping to sign Corey and if we cannot work out a deal there are some other drivers out there, but we’re pretty happy with where we’re at.

“I don’t really want to take on a young kid (Custer) like that who’s here for a year then goes (elsewhere). Let’s take Corey, build with him and move up the ladder.”
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Charlie Spencer said:
Between Bowman's stint subbing for Jr and since, Chastain's Xfinity gig last year, and DeBenedetto's performance since the #95 has been getting better support, I'm convinced many of the guys I've made fun of are a whole lot better than their equipment.
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Guilty as charged for this, I’ve done this a lot. Many of those kids are talented, it’s just sometimes you need a caution
 
Ty to the 8 and Reddick to the 13? Pure speculation here.

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So no team outside the Childress orbit are looking to hire Ty Dillon?

Ty is more talented than him, but this is pretty Brian Scott-ish.
 
Never understood the people that think Ty is better then Austin. Austin has outperformed him in literally every series and has a championship in Xfinity and trucks. Ty has one whopping win in Xfinity where he got the lead late at Indy where it’s hard to pass
 
DaBiff1618 said:
Never understood the people that think Ty is better then Austin. Austin has outperformed him in literally every series and has a championship in Xfinity and trucks. Ty has one whopping win in Xfinity where he got the lead late at Indy where it’s hard to pass
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Ty was much more aggressive in the truck and Xfinty series. I was one of the ones who thought he was better. Honestly, I still believe if they were both in the primary RCR stable, I feel as if Ty has done alright this year and would be equal if not better than Austin IMO. He's right behind Austin in the point standings.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
As long as we can all agree both Dillon's are pretty bad drivers it's all good
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Austin Dillon is one Cup Championship away from completing the Sweep of Trucks-Xfinity-Cup Championships. So his team will probably get to enjoy his Childress Family Racing attitude for awhile longer. :D
 
Ventisca said:
Austin Dillon is one Cup Championship away from completing the Sweep of Trucks-Xfinity-Cup Championships. So his team will probably get to enjoy his Childress Family Racing attitude for awhile longer. :D
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Greg Biffle also had a shot at the title sweep, with better equipment and better driving skills. Austin may stick around a while but the results won't be any different. He'll be doing well if he can get half of Biffle's wins.
 
Austin is better than 23rd in points IMO. I know that's unpopular but I've seen him run much better than this.

The funny thing about Ty is I feel like he has not done a half bad job this year compared to what he usually does.
 
AuzGrams said:
Austin is better than 23rd in points IMO. I know that's unpopular but I've seen him run much better than this.

The funny thing about Ty is I feel like he has not done a half bad job this year compared to what he usually does.
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How are you better than your position? Lol he is not better than that. He has 2 fluke wins and has never been remotely competitive consistently. Trust me he's a 23rd place driver.
 
Fordracing7 said:
How are you better than your position? Lol he is not better than that. He has 2 fluke wins and has never been remotely competitive consistently. Trust me he's a 23rd place driver.
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Uh, Austin has been 20th, 21st, 14th, 11th, 13th, and now 23rd in points in 2019. This is his 2nd worst season in average finish (nearly tied for worst when the field was better in 2014).

All I'm saying is he's a 15th-20th place driver. But we can agree to disagree on our opinions because they obviously differ.

I suppose every single Daytona win for anybody is a fluke win by your criteria then?
 
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AuzGrams said:
Uh, Austin has been 20th, 21st, 14th, 11th, 13th, and now 23rd in points in 2019. This is his 2nd worst season in average finish (nearly tied for worst when the field was better in 2014).

All I'm saying is he's a 15th-20th place driver. But we can agree to disagree on our opinions because they obviously differ.

I suppose every single Daytona win for anybody is a fluke win by your criteria then?
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This place likes to take away legitimacy of wins when it fits their narrative. I agree Austin is probably a 15-20 place driver who I’m not sure would even be in that ride if it wasn’t for who Pop-Pop is (I can think of 3 drivers I’d rather have right now in the 3 that are in worse or same equipment than RCR) but to crap on a Daytona 500 win and Coca Cola 600 win when the dude and his team capitalized on their opportunity to win is such rubbish. And we didn’t even mention Austin’s truck series championship or Nationwide (Xfinity) championship
 
ahhculdee said:
Decent talent, just done with racing.
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I just don't buy that. There's all sorts of discussions behind closed doors that we know nothing about. I can't prove anything of course and all it is is a surmised opinion, but I don't buy public relations spin speak hook, line, and sinker either. This isn't the NFL, you don't retire at 27 unless the money runs out. In Ty's case, it's his grandfather's money and I perceive he was told the #13 was needed for someone else, and no one "outside of the Childress orbit" thought he was worth a ride, or Ty didn't want to run in Xfinity or the backmarker teams.

Poor Ty though. Germain ran Casey Mears for years!
 
AuzGrams said:
I suppose every single Daytona win for anybody is a fluke win...?
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You weren't addressing me, but yes. Add Talladega as well. If NASCAR wants that to change, make the racing at Daytona and Talladega less a crapshoot.

As far as Austin Dillon, he's a midfielder. That's just his role in life. Maybe someday he can become Truex and become a regular race winner. But even his 13th place in last year's standings was aided by the Daytona win guaranteeing him a top 16. He was around 20th in points pre-playoffs, him and Chris Buescher in 2017 are the two non-top 16 winners in this format's short history.
 
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Privateer said:
You weren't addressing me, but yes. Add Talladega as well.

As far as Austin Dillon, he's a midfielder. That's just his role in life. Maybe someday he can become Truex and become a regular race winner.
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So Stenhouse winning 2 races a couple seasons ago at plate tracks were a fluke? Just trying to get an opinion here.
 
AuzGrams said:
So Stenhouse winning 2 races a couple seasons ago at plate tracks were a fluke? Just trying to get an opinion here.
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Yes. Driving talent is absolutely meaningless in determining if a guy finishes 1st or a guy finishes 30th at these two tracks. You can have a piss poor car and win. You can have the best car and be the best driver on the track and finish 30th.
 
Why bother racing at Daytona and Dega then? There’s four open dates right there for new tracks to go to
 
Snappy D said:
Why bother racing at Daytona and Dega then? There’s four open dates right there for new tracks to go to
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Because they are entertaining and generate a lot of revenue. But winning once or twice at Daytona is much more of a crapshoot than winning at Darlington or Bristol etc. A lot of luck Is obviously a factor @AuzGrams so I stand by what I said Dillon sucks prove me wrong. He will never be more than a 20th place driver. His higher points finishes are reflective of the points system. If capitalizing means wrecking the leader on the last lap in your criteria than my opinion is that's effed up. He didnt deserve that win and even if he did look at the competition at that point it's a matter of survival. As far as the coke 600 goes, David Reutimann won that too but at least he has a legit win unlike Austin. Dillon boys suck end of story!
 
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