Two years ago there were six rookie driver. Last year four of them returned for their sophomore seasons. This year the three best are back once again for their third seasons in Cup—and just like over the past two years, we’ll be ranking them here at Spade Racing.
Just like in years past we’ll be utilizing the PRETTY grade—Performance Relative to Equating Team’s Typical Year—as a way to properly rank someone from a top-flight team like Joe Gibbs Racing against someone from a top-flight slumping team like Stewart-Haas Racing against someone from a mid-level operation like RCR.
Here’s where our three guys stack up to start the year:
1.) Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing). 2021 Points Finish: 12th (Playoffs). 2022 PRETTY Grade Prediction: B+. C.Bell returns to the belly of the beast, competing against three teammates all of whom are legitimate threats for the championship. Not only that, but THIS year he’ll have to deal with Kyle & Denny whining about people wondering if their rides will be taken by Brandon Jones or Ty Gibbs next year.
2.) Tyler Reddick (Richard Childress Racing). 2021 Points Finish: 13th (Playoffs). 2022 PRETTY Grade Prediction: A-. Reddick seems be making incremental improvements year-to-year, and with some additional sponsorship his future at RCR seems secure. So watch Ty Dillon get his ride in 2023.
3.) Cole Custer (Stewart-Haas Racing). 2021 Points Finish: 26th (no Playoffs). 2022 PRETTY Grade Prediction: C+. Last year was not kind to Cole, as he finished behind rookie teammate Chase Briscoe. So even with a win on his resume, this could be his final ye—oh, wait, that’s right—his dad runs the team.
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