03/15/2019
Roush Fenway Racing off to strong start for 2019 season
CONCORD, N.C. (March 15, 2019) – With new cars, schemes, sponsors and drivers Roush Fenway Racing is off to a fresh start in 2019. Steve Newmark, president of RFR, is confident in the direction the team is headed so far.
“We feel like this season has started off extremely well for us,” Newmark told SiriusXM’s Claire B. Lang. “We’re sitting 10th and 17th [in points] but that’s by no means our goal. We want both of our cars to be in the playoffs at all times.”
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has started inside the top-10 in three out of the four races this season. He has one top-10 and has a current average finish of 12.5, up seven positions from this time last year. The driver has become more of an aggressive force on track, leaving some to wonder if teammate Ryan Newman had anything to do with his new attitude.
“I don’t think that’s the case,” Newmark said. “That’s always been Ricky’s driving style. I think he’s just gotten more comfortable with who he is. I love seeing him race like that. I think it’s good for the fans and makes for some exciting racing. It’s been something that he’s shown particularly this year that he’s successful at.”
When it comes to Newman, Newmark reveals that he’s proving to be a phenomenal addition to Roush Fenway Racing. Factoring out a difficult week at Las Vegas, Newman has three top-15s and is consistently running inside the top-10 with his No. 6 Ford team.
“One thing I can say about him is that he’s been a constant professional,” Newmark explained. “He gives 100 percent to everything he does. He’s involved and engaged with everything and we’ve been thrilled to have him come on board. I love his brutal honesty and I think that’s going to help us continue to get better this year.”
With two aggressive teammates and two new Fords, the organization seems to be heading in the right direction.
“We’re pretty excited about where [Ryan] and Ricky can take us,” Newmark said. “Those two, I think their driving styles are similar and they also get along pretty well, which helps.”
Newman and Stenhouse return to the track this Sunday, March 17 at Auto Club Speedway at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
To hear the full segment, listen below. Be sure to tune into “Jack’s Garage” on “Dialed In” every Wednesday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 7:30 p.m. ET.
