Rough start to 2010 for Penske Racing
Kenny Bruce
Kenny Bruce is a three-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's George Cunningham Writer of the Year Award. He joined Street & Smith's Sports Group in 2001.
Three races into the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, and I’m beginning to wonder what’s up with Penske Racing.
Coming off a season that saw Kurt Busch qualify for the Chase For The Sprint Cup and finish fourth in points, it seemed a given that the 2004 champion would be a contender this year. The addition of winning crew chief Steve Addington was yet another reason to expect a strong showing by the organization’s veteran team.
But thus far, that hasn’t happened. Busch is 19th in points, has just one top-10 finish and hasn’t been the factor most might have expected.
On the other hand, he has fared far better than his two teammates, Sam Hornish Jr. and Brad Keselowski. Both drivers are outside the top 25 in points and neither has managed a top-10 finish thus far.
How much of the organization’s trouble has been self-induced, and how much can be blamed on problems not of the teams’, or drivers’, own making?
There’s no reason to panic, but plenty of reason to be concerned. It’s still very early, and struggling teams have been known to turn around their programs in similar situations and gone on to enjoy successful seasons.
The question is, do Penske Racing’s three teams have the talent and resources to do that? Or will it be a long season for the series’ lone Dodge outfit?
