NASCAR
Can Rookie Success Be Found In Darlington?
There are two rookies currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Currently, 20-year old William Byron leads the rookie standings with 21st in the Cup Series points. Not too far behind is 24-year-old rookie Bubba Wallace Jr., in 26th respectively. These two young guns are both entering Darlington Raceway looking for a turn around weekend. Can that happen at a place known for its unique shape and very demanding driver ability?
William Byron
For 20-year old William Byron things happen really fast. While driving in NASCAR’s top three series’ William has never been considered a veteran. In fact, this will be his third straight season winning the rookie of the year award if he stays where he is in the standings.
Many expected Byron to have had a lot of success in his first Cup Series season much like he did in XFINITY and Trucks. Though he’s had good runs and has lead laps, he will need a win to make the post-season. The 24 team seems to have found some success in the latter part of this season. Byron was able to claim two back-to-back top ten finishes at Pocono and Watkins Glen.
The following weekends at Michigan and Bristol showed hope as well, but the team wasn’t able to back up the recent success. In Michigan, Byron was charging through the field but was involved in a crash with Martin Truex Jr. In Bristol last weekend, the team qualified fifth, the first top-five qualifying effort of the season, but finished 23rd.
Maybe Darlington could lead this team back to the front. In only one XFINITY start, Byron finished fifth.
Bubba Wallace Jr.
Bubba Wallace Jr. is also coming off of a weekend to forget. While looking to follow up success at Bristol a few months before, Wallace was involved in a crash on lap three. The crash caused the team to end their day early for the second time in the last four races. Though “The Lady In Black” is not too keen for having rookie success, Wallace does have some experience at the track. In two XFINITY starts he’s finished 14th and 17th respectively. Could this team possibly find some luck in a strategy call? It sure would be familiar to see a Petty blue STP car leading at the track “Too Tough To Tame”.
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