2019 NASCAR Preview: JTG Daugherty Racing
Photo Credit: JTG Daugherty Racing
Photo Credit: Getty Images
The first team in our NASCAR season preview will be JTG Daugherty Racing. For those of you who do not know, the team is owned and operated by Tad and his wife Jodi Geschickter, as well as former 5-time NBA All-Star Brad Daugherty. JTG has an engine partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, which allows them to compete at a higher level than say if they used their own independent engine builder (not to mention the insane costs that would entail). Kroger Co. happens to be the main sponsor for both the #37 and #47 cars. The great thing about having a partnership with Kroger is that they can diversify their marketing strategies. Both race-cars plan on using “themed sponsorship.” What this means is that during certain times of the year, the cars will feature products that pertain to the time of year. For example, during the Spring time or April, the cars will feature Spring cleaning products that you can purchase at your local Kroger. JTG takes home the best marketing plan of the year for me.
#37 Chris Buescher
Photo Credit: Athlon Sports
I guess you can call Chris the “anchor” driver of the team, he has been with the organization for two full-time seasons and has 2 top-5’s and 6 top-10’s during his stint. All signs point to Trent Owens returning with the team as his Crew Chief. Buescher is a former Xfinity Series Champion with Roush Fenway Racing in 2015 and failed to earn a ride with the team in the Cup Series. Front Row Motorsports happened to be the first team to give him a chance at the Cup level, and he helped them earn their first chase bid with a win at Pocono in 2016. I expect this team to improve on last season’s performance. I have Buescher getting 1 top-5 and 5 top-10’s in the 2019 season. I would love to see a better season than that, but I am tempering my expectations. Chris is a sneaky good road-course driver and a decent restrictor plate driver (both of his top-5’s last season were at Daytona).
#47 Ryan Preece
Photo Credit: Speed Sport
A.J. Allmendinger is no longer with JTG, so they found a replacement…former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Ryan Preece. The Connecticut native will be competing against Daniel Hemric for Rookie of the Year. According to ESPN, Tristan Smith will be manning the pit box for Preece. I believe the talent is there, as I watched his 4 races with Joe Gibbs in the Xfinity series in 2017, where he placed in the top-5 all 4 races, bringing his average finish to 3rd that year. He has only raced in 5 Cup races and they were all for Mike Curb in the #98 car. This equipment will be the best he has ran at the top-level of NASCAR and I believe he will outperform his teammate. I have Preece getting 1 top-5 and 6 top-10’s in 2019. If Ryan is to win a race this year, I think it could be at Loudon. In his last two races at the track for Xfinity, he placed 2nd and 3rd, so check his odds at New Hampshire.
AustYn
References: Racing Reference, ESPN, Jayski, JTG Daugherty Racing