September 25, 2019 | By Lee Spencer

Dismissal might be just what Stenhouse needs to turn his career around

Still surprised by the dismissal of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from Roush Fenway Racing?

Don’t be. The numbers tell the tale.

From a personality standpoint, Stenhouse is a sponsor’s dream. He’s affable, with boy next-door good looks. But NASCAR is a performance business, and Stenhouse’s results simply didn’t support Roush continuing the course with the soon-to-be 32-year-old driver beyond this season.

On Wednesday, the company announced Chris Buescher will return to Roush Fenway Racing to pilot the No. 17 Ford in 2020.

“We are certainly excited to have Chris back in the fold at Roush Fenway Racing,” said team owner Jack Roush. “He has a long history with our organization and we’ve always been a big fan of Chris and his racing style. 

“We have watched his progress with great interest over the last couple of seasons and we are looking forward to having him in the No. 17 as we continue to grow our program next season.”

While Buescher has progressed, the same can't be said for Stenhouse. Since winning consecutive Xfinity Series titles in 2011-2012 then transitioning to NASCAR’s Cup Series full-time in 2013, Stenhouse has produced two victories, two poles, 15 top fives and 33 top 10s over seven seasons. 

The top drivers in the sport will surpass those numbers—at least wins, poles and top-five finishes—in a season. Even Ryan Newman, who is in his first year with Roush, has overshadowed Stenhouse. In addition to making the Playoffs, a feat Stenhouse has achieved just once in seven seasons, Newman has been running at the finish in all 28 races. Stenhouse has four DNFs. 

Although Stenhouse has led 75 laps compared to Newman’s 16 and has an average qualifying effort 5.4 positions better than the No. 6 Ford, that’s where the advantage ends. Newman has two top fives, 11 top 10s and an average finish of 13.5. Stenhouse’s sole top five was a fifth-place result in the Coca-Cola 600. He finished sixth at Las Vegas for his second top 10. After finishing 33rd at Bristol in April, historically one of Stenhouse’s best tracks, he dropped to 16th in the standings and never returned to the Playoff grid after that. 

Despite finishing 15th at Richmond, Stenhouse sits a season-low 23rd in points. It’s his worst position in the standings in four seasons. Even with two years remaining on his contract, Roush could not remain complacent with plenty of young and less expensive talent coming up the ranks—including 26-year-old Buescher. 

The former Roush development driver won the 2012 ARCA title before winning the Xfinity Series championship with Roush three years later. Buescher was loaned out to Front Row Motorsports, where he won his first Cup race in his rookie season. He moved to JTG-Daugherty Racing in 2017 and has been there ever since. Buescher is currently 20th in the standings and has an average finish of 17.6—three positions better than Stenhouse.

Certainly, Roush Fenway Racing isn’t the powerhouse it once was but Newman—and Matt Kenseth in his short stint last year—have proven the equipment is better than it was during the Stenhouse and Bayne era. Roush has also been more effective at activating and attracting new sponsorship of late, a task that has even been lost among some of NASCAR’s top teams.

“We can’t say enough about Ricky and his contributions to Roush Fenway Racing,” Roush added. “We’re proud to have been a part of Ricky’s development from ARCA to Xfinity and ultimately the Cup Series. He has served as a great representative to our partners, while helping to accumulate numerous accolades, wins and multiple championships on the racetrack. 

“We wish him well as he enters the next chapter of his career.”

When Stenhouse was recruited by Roush in 2008, he showed tremendous potential as he transitioned through ARCA and into what was then the Nationwide Series. Roush provided Stenhouse with all the resources he needed to win and have a successful career in NASCAR. The organization also provided Stenhouse with perhaps a longer leash at times than was prudent. Perhaps, a little tough love might be what Stenhouse needs right now to regain focus and get his career back on track.