JTG Daugherty Racing has had a tough 2022 season so far. Over the offseason, the team went through some changes including consolidating it program from a two to one-car operation. While sometimes that could mean an uptick in performance for a team given the ability to focus on one race team, for JTG Daugherty that has yet to be the case in 2022.
Through 10 races Ricky Stenhouse Jr. sits 31st in points. Through 10 races in 2021, Stenhouse was 15th in the standings. That’s a 16-position drop from this time last year. They also have only one top-10 finish this season. A lot has changed in 2022, and it’s still early, but is it time for a change at JTG Daugherty Racing? Luken Glover and Mark Kristl debate.
Don’t Jump the Gun Just Yet
Yes, I know – it looks bad… really, really bad. Stenhouse is pacing to have career-lows in average start (23.8), average finish (26.9), and points position. He also has four DNFs, over half of his 2021 total of six. This is his third season at JTG Daugherty Racing, who opted to go with him over Ryan Preece. Is it time to panic? Not quite.
Let’s venture off of the paper for a moment. Stenhouse led 16 laps in the Daytona 500 and arguably had the best car at the end. That is until he got turned by Brad Keselowski in the closing laps. Auto Club Speedway has been his most complete race thus far. He ran in the top 10 for a large chunk of the race, emerging late to score his lone top 10 so far.
Three weeks later, Stenhouse’s No. 47 was pacing the field at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he led 22 laps. However, he blew a tire from the lead and was forced to retire from the race due to the damage.
At the Bristol Motor Speedway dirt race, Stenhouse was a legitimate contender but was involved in multiple accidents that ruined his race. And before he really even had a chance to make some noise at Talladega Superspeedway, where you always have to watch him, he got taken out in a pileup that started ahead of him on a restart.
The…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Frontstretch…