Grading 2014′s New Driver/ Team Pairings Part 13

Team owner Ron Devine bought the remaining assets of now defunct Red Bull Racing at the beginning of the 2012 season hoping to capitalize on what seemed like a tremendous opportunity.  Since hitting the track in February 2012 BK Racing has endured a tremendous amount of difficulty in terms of finding a successful formula both on and off the track.  In their short time on the NSCS tour, BK Racing has made a substantial amount of personnel changes, made three driver changes, all of whom are no longer with the organization.

BK Racing enters its third year of existence in NASCAR Sprint Cup series racing with one goal in mind, to build a successful organization for the long-term future.  Judging by the teams recent hiring of rookie drivers Ryan Truex, and Alex Bowman, the future appears to be now for BK Racing.  Both of these young drivers have ample opportunity to thrive at BK if given the right amount of time to develop within the organization. The team can’t send them through the proverbial revolving door if they struggle early and often. Let’s not forget they will go only as far as the equipment will allow them.  That’s not to say expectations won’t be high, we now live in a time where you’re only as good as your last race, and with an abundance of young talent waiting in the wings for a chance at the grand stage, seats tend to get warm rather quickly.

In all likelihood neither Truex nor Bowman will capture rookie of the year honors in 2014. Given the depth of this rookie class combined with the fact Truex has only 3 NSCS under his belt, and Bowman has yet to make his NSCS debut poses a serious amount of obstacles for both drivers.

Primarily the goal for both BK Racing drivers this season has to be establishing an identity among NASCAR’s elite drivers.  Let the rest of the competitors know we are here to race.

I expect Truex to come on strong once he finds his footing. We’re talking about a guy who’s waited patiently, more often impatiently over the last four years for an opportunity to race on a full-time basis. You know he’ll be ready once the green flag drops at Daytona.  Alex Bowman essentially turned water into wine last season driving for Robby Benton in the NASCAR Nationwide series. At 20 years of age Bowman undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him. It’s not to say he’s expected to be a complete afterthought this season, but it’s hard to get over his lack of experience in any series let alone NASCAR Sprint Cup.  In Bowman’s defense playing the role of the underdog seems to suit him just fine. Be honest did anybody think he would finish outside the top 10 in NNS points last season? He has all the talent in the world to pull off a major upset on any of the 36 races weekends in 2014. None the less he should be fun to watch this season.

BK Racing looks as if they are heading down the right path with Truex & Bowman, and if they remain committed to both driver’s beyond 2014, there’s no reason why they can’t have it their way.

Final grade- Truex C, Bowman C-

photo courtesy of nationalspeedsportsnews.com