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 Talladega:
1.) Tyler Reddick (Richard Childress Racing). 2022 Best Race Finish: 1st (Road America, Indy & Texas). PRETTY Grade: A. Reddick didn’t advance in the Playoffs, but holds onto the top spot after his third win of the year. More-concerning, however, is the fact that he will likely require a hefty buyout of his contract from 23XI Racing for next year. If not, be prepared for the #30 car to come back (hopefully without AOL sponsorship this time).
2.) Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing). 2022 Best Race Finish: 1st (New Hampshire). PRETTY Grade: A. C.Bell would’ve taken the #1 slot this week on the back of three straight top-five finishes to start the Playoffs, had he not DNF’d at Texas. With all the nuttiness surrounding Kyle Busch’s departure, its helpful to remember that Bell just might be the next Kyle Busch, just much much MUCH more likable.
3.) Cole Custer (Stewart-Haas Racing). 2022 Best Race Finish: 8th (Bristol). PRETTY Grade: D+. No top-five finishes. No Playoff berth. No contending for wins. Yeah…
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