Two years ago there were six rookie drivers. 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 heading into Kansas:
1.) Tyler Reddick (Richard Childress Racing). 2022 Best Race Finish: 1st (Road America & Indy). PRETTY Grade: A. Tyler has REALLY shown his promise this year, and even an impending departure to 23XI Racing won’t dampen his spirit. However we will ALL be disappointed if/when Ty Dillon gets his ride.
2.) Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing). 2022 Best Race Finish: 1st (New Hampshire). PRETTY Grade: A-. So Christopher Bell is in a unique spot. He’s proven he can win, and seems to have pretty steady sponsorship/factory support. But this would be the time for him to show he can contend for championships and make “the leap”. If not, then wow, isn’t it amazing how HE was chosen to expand 23XI to a three-car team to make room for Ty Gibbs!?!
3.) Cole Custer (Stewart-Haas Racing). 2022 Best Race Finish: 9th (Atlanta & Indy). PRETTY Grade: D. Cole’s shown incremental improvement with three straight finishes between 11th and 16th. But that’s a little like being an able-bodied 20-something finally moving up to 20-pound barbells.
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