In the previous season, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., together with his team, managed to crack the code at Talladega Superspeedway, securing a victory in the YellaWood 500. Their success can be attributed to a strategy that has become second nature with the Next Gen cars on Superspeedways; fuel saving. What has triggered frustration in other NASCAR drivers such as Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch has been embraced by Stenhouse and his crew with open arms.
Strategy of Champions
After their triumph at Talladega last season, Mike Kelley, crew chief for Ricky Stenhouse Jr., voiced no uncertainties about the strategy. For him, fuel-saving is not a controversy but rather a show of the smart teams playing the hand they’re dealt. Kelley bases his strategy on sharpening his pencils rather than aggressive racing. Given the fruitful outcome of their methods, Kelley sees no need for reinventing the wheel.
Reflecting on the Strategy
The imminent third superspeedway race at Talladega brought Stenhouse into a contemplative mood during a media session. The arrival of the Next Gen cars had him wondering if it was time to rethink his superspeedway game plan. Stenhouse stated, “Yeah, but I don’t feel like that has…if the teams had learned quicker that we needed to save more fuel and have a quicker pit stop, then I think we would have been doing this a long time ago.”
Universal Access to Strategic Data
Today, all teams have access to the same information. The same group of people work behind the scenes at the shop, and that has caused a shift in mindset. Earlier, staying glued to the front was the primary goal, while today, the game requires a different approach. Regardless of a driver being in the 15th to 20th position, they have the potential to steal the win.
Tactical Benefits and Changing Landscape
Stenhouse’s crew continuously updates him on his fuel-saving status relative to the field during every run. “I am taking that information and trying to position myself as far forward as I can without using fuel. And so that is a totally different mindset now, in my opinion. I don’t really think it’s car-related, but it’s a strategy. And it’s different plays, and sometimes it’s not the most fun,” says Stenhouse. Over the past two years, his strategy has helped him secure two superspeedway victories and solid finishes at chaotic tracks.
NASCAR in the Next Gen Era
With the dawn of the Next Gen era, the face of superspeedway racing has made a U-turn. The days of severe drafting battles and constant lead changes are part of history. Today, it’s about biding time and waiting for the field to blink first. The Next Gen cars, designed to cut costs and level the playing field, have heralded a new era where saving fuel and flying under the radar have become the order of the day.
