All-Star Race Break Team Report Cards #3
The 2013 NASCAR season is now about 1/3rds completed so it’s time to hand out some trimester grades. Some drivers have performed well and others have not. Find out if your favorite driver passed or failed. This post is part of a three part series. These grades are subjective and some drivers are graded on a curve.
Make sure you read grades part #1 and part #2
Tony Stewart – D
The panic button is definitely getting pushed behind the scenes at Stewart-Haas Racing. We’re now eleven races into the 2013 season and he’s only finished in the top ten once! His one top ten was at Phoenix and that was back in March. If he doesn’t get a top ten in the Coca Cola 600 than he’ll have to wait until June to try to get his second. Stewart’s just one season removed from being the champion so this is truly shocking. One things clear about this team and that’s changes need to be made ASAP. So far this season Stewart has a 21.2 average finish and a 21.2 average running position. He’s also only ran in the top fifteen in 37.7% percent of the laps completed.
Juan Pablo Montoya – C+
If it wasn’t for late caution at Richmond Montoya would have a win on an oval. He performed well in that race so that’s a big plus for him. In the Southern 500 he had another highlight and finished 8th. He also could’ve potentially performed well at Talladega but he had problems after the rain fell. In my opinion I think it’s clear improvement is happening. What’s really hurting Montoya is his 8 finishes of 19th or worse. Out of 11 races that’s not very good.
Marcos Ambrose – C
Marcos Ambrose has not performed well this season. His lone highlight came at Martinsville when he qualified second and finished 8th. Typically this season he’s performed like a 20th place driver when he avoids trouble. In six of the eleven races this season he’s finished between 18th and 22nd.
David Ragan – A
Based solely off his win David Ragan gets an A. I don’t need to see any of his other finishes because that win was a big deal.
Denny Hamlin – A-
He’s back!!! Hamlin missed four races this season but I like what I’ve seen from him on the track. Lots of his poor finishes deserve asterisk marks (Daytona, Las Vegas, Bristol and Auto Club) but you can take my word the #11 has been consistently fast. They just weren’t sealing the deal. I’m giving Hamlin a 95% percent chance to make the Chase.
Danica Patrick – C-
Danica Patrick’s season began with the bang but it’s been a whimper ever since. In the Daytona 500 she won the pole and finished 8th. IMO though her real highlight was her 12th at Martinsville. No one seen that coming. In the other races this season she’s finished 25th or worse.
