CHARLOTTE (WSLS 10 SPORTS) - Thursday was the fourth and final day of the NASCAR media tour in Charlotte and RCR (Richard Childress Racing) team was on stage. Ryan Newman, the team's key driver, was the runner-up last year in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Longtime owner Richard Childress had a few remarks about what he expects for Newman and the rest of his team this year.
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“We were beginning to build momentum all through the end of the year we had some good races with all of them but we couldn't put that win together. But this year we know we have to go out and win races. We got to have faster race cars to lead laps and run out front,” says the iconic owner.
Childress should feel pretty good about the momentum his team has going into this season, especially with Newman--who finished in the top five in three of his last five races.
“It was fun all around. Every part of it was fun so taking all of that and combining that season ending momentum even though we went out a loser so to speak. We went out the highest we were in the season and there's a lot to be said for that,” says Newman.
Along with Newman, RCR also brings back Austin Dillon who says we should see a more aggressive version of him on the racetrack as he looks for his first Sprint Cup win.
Dillon, who drives the legendary Dale Earnhardt black No.3, managed only one top five and four top ten finishes in his rookie campaign. His lack of production in his rookie season kept him out of the Chase in 2014.
Coming off of his rookie season he hopes to do better. “We better be willing to go all the way you know you have to make the steps you have to piss people off sometimes to put yourself in an opportunity."
It's safe to say that going into this year he has done better than most rookies, but still has a lot to work on. However his knowledge of the sport and willingness to learn will certainly make him a fierce competitor and the 2015 season approaches.
The week concludes Friday with the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Charlotte. It's a special day for Southwest Virginia as Danville's own Wendell Scott will be entering the Hall. It should be a special moment for the Scott family as well as for the people of an area that is rich in racing heritage and tradition.