Who is the next up-and-coming Sprint Cup team?

T

TooSweet

Guest
Over the past few years, we have seen teams like Furniture Row and Michael Waltrip Racing emerge from the cellar to contenders. Smaller teams like Front Row Motorsports have steadily improved, and there is still a lot of hope for other small teams as well. My question is simple: who will be the next team to go from the outhouse to the penthouse?

Germain Racing is forming an alliance with RCR, much like Furniture Row. Similar rumors were swirling about JTG Daugherty and Swan racing. What about other teams, such as BK Racing? Any hope for them? Will Harry Scott make Phoenix Racing into a contender? Will Furniture Row add a second team and make that next big step towards becoming a legitimate championship threat?

Also, who do you think will be the next big team to fall apart? RCR, RPM, ECR?
 
If I knew all that, I would head straight to the casino. I have big expectations to see Stewart Haas racing move one of the top teams, like Gibbs to the side. FRR and MWR aren't contenders IMO. Gibbs and Hendrick are contenders almost every year. RCR is not going to fall apart, but I don't expect them to do much if or until Austin Dillon catches on fire. I just don't see Newman pulling a Kenseth next year.
 
I dont know about the rest but RCR is going to get a reality check in the next few years.

He's already got Menard in the 20s, adding two rookies which will no doubt be wrecking for the first year and Newman who's average at best. Tough times are ahead Rich.

I bet he'll appreciate Harvick alot more than he had ever.
 
Turner Scott or whichever combination of those that bought Finch's team.. I wouldnt be surprised if they started comin up in the next few.. that team is one of the best teams in NNS that's only in NNS. The only teams in that series that have better stuff are teams like JGR, JRM, KBM, and Penske. All cup affiliated. I think itll take a little while but I see that team doing something in the next few years.
 
I expect Phoenix Racing to be doing pretty well once the new ownership has had a few years to settle in.
 
SlicedBread22 said:
Turner Scott or whichever combination of those that bought Finch's team.. I wouldnt be surprised if they started comin up in the next few.. that team is one of the best teams in NNS that's only in NNS. The only teams in that series that have better stuff are teams like JGR, JRM, KBM, and Penske. All cup affiliated. I think itll take a little while but I see that team doing something in the next few years.
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Agreed. Harry Scott solely purchased it as far as I know..

Germain might start to make some noise. They are getting RCR or Hendrick engines next year, right?
 
RPM is already pretty crappy IMO and RCR is on the downswing at the moment.

I think if JTG can ever get a decent engine and chassis deal with support from a solid team, then they have a driver in AJ Adderallmendinger who can make some noise. Most of these small teams won't ever be contenders unless they can get a quality driver like Kurt with FRR. MWR really became a player when they had the engines/chassis sorted out and then brought in a top tier driver in Bowyer. Either way the next up and coming team will need the equipment in place already, and then bring in a guy who can use it to be a true contender.
 
front row motorsports steadily improving?? what races have you been watching. they have one plate win on the strength of yates horsepower and a little luck of course. other than that the cars have a tuff time in the top 20
 
hidesert cowboy said:
front row motorsports steadily improving?? what races have you been watching. they have one plate win on the strength of yates horsepower and a little luck of course. other than that the cars have a tuff time in the top 20
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Five years ago their flagship car couldn't even qualify for a handful of races and their other car was just a start and park. Look at where they are now. I would classify that as "steadily improving" wouldn't you? Now they run very strong at the plate races and aren't horrible at the short tracks either. Not bad progress for an underfunded team with two below average drivers.
 
I actually think MWR will be stronger as a 2 car organization with their garage and engineering talent culled down to just the best people they had focused on those 2 cars. Look for both MWR cars to contend next year.
 
FenderBumper said:
I actually think MWR will be stronger as a 2 car organization with their garage and engineering talent culled down to just the best people they had focused on those 2 cars. Look for both MWR cars to contend next year.
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Are you assuming Vickers will be back ?
 
ted@economy said:
Are you assuming Vickers will be back ?
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Yes. If Vickers doesn't get healthy in time, MWR just might lose Aarons. They would have to choose between Hornish, Scott, Blaney, Beuscher or some other unproven driver. It seemed like Vickers was a tough sell to Aarons, and they just may bolt when given the chance.

I would take James Beuscher in a heart beat. He's a damn good driver.
 
Personally , I don't see Vickers coming back . if he does , I don't see him as saving MWR . I don't see MWR , RCR , or Stewart/Hass being top teams while they rebuild . Penske is the only one I see contending with RCR and Gibbs . Roush , I just don't understand.
 
ted@economy said:
Roush , I just don't understand.
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I think their sponsorship shortfalls have hurt them more than they let on. I agree with you in regards to Penske being the team best equipped to compete with Gibbs and Hendrick, who clearly are at the top of the food chain right now.
 
3wideinturn1 said:
I think their sponsorship shortfalls have hurt them more than they let on. I agree with you in regards to Penske being the team best equipped to compete with Gibbs and Hendrick, who clearly are at the top of the food chain right now.
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I wouldn't be shocked to see Roush put all three drivers in the chase next year , but i wouldn't be surprised if they don't contend for the championship . Anyway , 4 Hendrick cars 3 Gibbs cars and 2 Penske cars would take up 9 spots . There aren't a lot of spots left .
 
ted@economy said:
I wouldn't be shocked to see Roush put all three drivers in the chase next year , but i wouldn't be surprised if they don't contend for the championship . Anyway , 4 Hendrick cars 3 Gibbs cars and 2 Penske cars would take up 9 spots . There aren't a lot of spots left .
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Until Stenhouse can run up front, lead laps and contend for some wins I don't see him as a Chase driver, not at this point in his career. Biffle and Edwards on the other hand are good enough drivers to get in but it just seems like Roush as an organization is always a little bit behind.
 
ted@economy said:
I wouldn't be shocked to see Roush put all three drivers in the chase next year , but i wouldn't be surprised if they don't contend for the championship . Anyway , 4 Hendrick cars 3 Gibbs cars and 2 Penske cars would take up 9 spots . There aren't a lot of spots left .
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I think itll look something like this ..HMS, JGR (not Hamlin), Penske, Biffle, Edwards, Bowyer and a random like McMurray or something. Although we could see a Hendrick car miss it.
 
I reeeally dont see Stenhouse making it.. not next year anyway... not even the one after really.. he hasnt done much other than qualify well.. even Joey did that early lol I tihnk it'll be about 2015 or 16 before he wins a race.. he'll get a couple top 5's next year and maaaaybe win a plate race. Plate is his only shot for now imo.
 
SlicedBread22 said:
I reeeally dont see Stenhouse making it.. not next year anyway... not even the one after really.. he hasnt done much other than qualify well.. even Joey did that early lol I tihnk it'll be about 2015 or 16 before he wins a race.. he'll get a couple top 5's next year and maaaaybe win a plate race. Plate is his only shot for now imo.
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In that case I'm calling Stenhouse for the win at Homestead...could happen ;)
 
SlicedBread22 said:
I think itll look something like this ..HMS, JGR (not Hamlin), Penske, Biffle, Edwards, Bowyer and a random like McMurray or something. Although we could see a Hendrick car miss it.
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Could be . Not that sure about Hamlin though . His comeback has already begun . Seems to me he's been running better the last few races . I wouldn't be surprised to see him win one of the next two races and be back on everyones list for next year . I actually have him higher on my list than Kahne for next year.
 
Tony Stewart is the type of guy that understands what the race car needs when the car isn't perfect. He's also the type of guy that knows which drivers have what it takes to be real winners. Like I said, SHR is going to make a statement in 2014.
I can't wait to see Kurt back in a real quality ride. I believe he's seasoned well.
 
I will say Germain, and/or whatever team makes the RCR allience. I wouldn't be suprised if FRM gets a lot better as well.

On the other side, Hamilton Means is rumored to be shutting down, BKR is crappy (should have stuck to one car) and I just don't see the improvement in TBR.
 
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