2014 Preview: Team Harden

Owner- Brent Harden

2013 Standings- 9th / 2014 Projection- 5th

The disappointing 2013 season should only spur the team for this year. They cut Jamie Simms, and picked up the best free agent available. Morello and Unger have the opportunity to establish the building blocks for the future starting now

Scott Unger / 4 / Chick-Fil-A Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 12th / 2014 Projection- 12th

They put a winning driver in a car that had issues running last season. Unger's main problem was the amount of finishes over 10th. He needs to show Dumas that he deserved to stay in the 12, so expect Unger to have better runs this year. Now that the 4 crew has a guy who has won in the series, they will look to him to earn Team Harden their first victory.

Tommy Morello / 21 / Kellog's Frosted Flakes Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 7th / 2014 Projection- 7th

The year started out so positive, but when you have 4 finishes of 19th or worse in 5 races, the wheels are bound to fall off. But Morello fought adversity and rattled off 5 straight top 10s. Delete the DNFs, and the 21 had a pretty good season. But no trip to victory lane hurt the 21 in the points. The goal for the 21 should be to win a race. The boost in morale would be huge and might spur them to a championship.

2014 Preview: Taylor Motorsports

Owner- Michael Taylor

2013 Standings- 4th / 2014 Projection- 2nd

One of the projected improvements for this year. The key lies in consistency. A total of 6 DNFs was 2nd most in Sim Cup last year. But despite that, both cars had top 9 finishes in points. The reason is the 4 wins the team scored. Take away the retirements, and Taylor Motorsports is a real contender for the team cup.

Dillon Fischer / 19 / Old Spice Toyota Camry

2013 Standings- 9th / 2014 Projection- 8th

A 19th at Homestead last year hurt the team from the start. But after that, two 11ths, a 4th, and a win at Talladega, Fischer was now mixing it with the best of the league. The next 6 races were less than ideal, with only one top 10. But the 19 came on strong on the last 3 races. If Fischer can run in the top 10 more consistently, he will be there at the very end. He knows how to get to victory lane, so it's a matter of staying out of trouble and being smart.

 Anthony Wick / 26 / AAA Toyota Camry

2013 Standings- 3rd / 2014 Projection- 2nd

Wick might be the best shot at dethroning the 6 car for the title. Take away the blow up at Phoenix that ended his title run, the last 4 races of last season were something all drivers dream of. Two wins and a 3rd place kept him in the race, and gave him a huge boost for this year. Also winning the All-Star race definately helps. The reason he lost the championship was his 4 DNFs. The team worked hard to cut down this number. If they can limit the problems, the 26 will be scary to see in your rear view mirror.

2014 Preview: Revolution Motorsports

Owner- Ryan Martin

2013 Standings- 1st / 2014 Projection- 1st

It was a perfect season for Revolution Motorsports. That just makes it that much harder to match for this upcoming season. No race last year didn't have a Revolution car in the top 10. Can the new orange-clad Revolution Motorsports match these results for 2014?

Matt Zetticci / 6 / Ducks Unlimited Cheverlet SS 

2013 Standings- 1st / 2014 Projection- 1st

Our champion returns to the track in a bold new camoflague car. The way to win the championship is easy, score more top 3s(5) than races outside the top 10(4). It was truly amazing to see his comeback and pass of the 10 car for the championship. There was literally no way to improve upon his season, running wise. It took 9 races to wind up in victory lane, but that's no big deal if you're constantly running around first. It'll be hard to come close to last season, but if he's half as good, he will still be competative.

Michael Adkins / 9 / Ducks Unlimited Cheverlet SS 

2013 Standings- 6th / 2014 Projection- 5th

The All-Star fan vote winner started the year with 3 finishes lower than 12th, but in the next 10 races, he could hardly be kept down. Eight top 10s were scored in that time, and half of them were top 5s. The thing that kept him down was his highest finish being 4th. If he can get some help from the champion next door, the 9 car might have one or two visits to victory lane.

2014 Preview: Northstar Motorsports

Owner- Ryan McDonnell

2013 Standings- 2nd / 2014 Projection- 4th

A year after losing to Revolution Motorsports in both the drivers and team standings, Northstar is looking for 2014 to be their year. The most established driver in the series is at the helm, but the key to a team championship is, well, a consistant team.

Ricky Bracket / 5 / Verizon Cheverlet SS 

2013 Standings- 15th / 2014 Projection- 13th

For a while, the 5 was an actual championship contender. The finishes outside the top 10, or 2 DNFs weren't even that big of deal. What he needed to do was turn some of his 8 top 10s into a win. His best career finish as 3rd at Indy. If he can earn some top 5s, it'll go a long way into shortening the gap between Northstar's 1st and 2nd driver.

Mathues Barros / 10 / Best Buy Cheverlet SS 

2013 Standings- 2nd / 2014 Projection- 3rd

The Brazillian came within 4 points from winning the title for 2013. The only negative last year was one DNF, and that was on the 3rd to last race of the season. If his season comes anywhere close to last year, he will be in the running for the championship. The thinghe needs to improve on is mile and a half tri-ovals. On the 3 last season, he had no top 10s. With Texas added to the schedule, and Las Vegas still hosting the finale, the more emphasis there will be to run well on these tracks.

2014 Preview: KMI Racing

Owner- Kyle Miltenberger

2013 Standings- 6th / 2014 Projection- 8th

Team Powers Racing has been purchased and remade into KMI Racing. The switch to Toyota was the biggest change. The drivers stayed, but will have all new sponsors and paint schemes for this upcoming year.

Jim Powers / 13 / Dr. Pepper Ten Toyota Camry

2013 Standings- 18th / 2014 Projection- 19th

The 13 car was definately hit or miss last season. The season started with a 2nd at Homestead, but then was followed by 4 straight finishes utside the top 10. He had back to back podium finishes after that stretch, including a win at Charlotte. He had the results, but other than those 3 good races, he had no other race to really right home about. He'll need to work on adding to his top 10 total as a start, and work from there to possibly steal a win this season.

 Jason Severn / 34 / Snapple Toyota Camry

2013 Standings- 8th / 2014 Projection- 11th

For not having a win last season, Severn established himself as the lead driver for Team Powers Racing. Now with a Toyota engine under the hood, he will have to overcome that hurdle in his drive to improve upon last season. His season highlights were two 2nds, and a win at the All-Star transfer race. Three DNFs last season hurt him more than not winning. That could be the first step in improving for 2014.

2014 Preview: Irish Lads Racing

Owner- Mike Mahon

2013 Standings- 5th / 2014 Projection- 6th

Irish Lads really turned it on at the end of last season. In the first 5 races, they had only scored one top 10 finish. In the next nine, both cars finished out of the top 10 in only one race. The proection may be decieving, because of their bad start, but if they can post good results from race one, they should be competing for the team championship come race 20.

Joey Walkowiak / 25 / Havoline Cheverlet SS

2013 Standings- 11th / 2014 Projection- 13th

 One of the best young talent in the field, don't be surprised to see the 25 in victoy lane this season. He is 10 years younger than Bowen, but he plays the role of team leader. The key to finishing in the top half this season is to have the form he had mid season last year. In a 4 race stretch, his lowest finish was 7th, including the Lads' first victory. Expect the 25 to mix it with the best around, but be realistic for the young guy.

Tim Bowel / 82 / Buffalo Wild Wings Cheverlet SS

2013 Standings- 13th / 2014 Projection- 15th

 The biggest thing for the 82 to work on is get more top 10s. Only 6 from last year wont be enough to mix it with the top drivers this season. Especially if he has another poor start like the 2013 season. His win at Phoenix helped him out with momentum fot his next year. But the in shop rivalry with Walkowiak should push him to better finishes.

2014 Preview: Fletcher Autosport

Owner- Brian Fletcher

2013 Standings- 3rd / 2014 Projection- 3rd

Fletcher Autosport knows what works. Right out of the gate, they established themselves as one of the teams to beat. A few more sponsors were added to the side, but other than that, they have the same approach to this season as the last.

Davis McAffee / 53 / Dinaco Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 4th / 2014 Projection- 4th

 The 53 car had a bunch of top 5s, and only one DNF. Even the mid-season low of 4 non top 10s in a row didn't completely ruin his season.  The only part of the season he could possibly improve upon would be earning a win. With Irons being his biggest competition in house, they both will challenge eachother to end up in victory lane more this season.

Brendan Irons / 87 / Kodak Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 5th / 2014 Projection- 5th

 Irons had 9 top 10s last season, which was the 2nd most in the season. He even earned the first win for the Fletcher Autosport stable at Michigan. To compete with for the title, he will need to win atleast one more race. If he stays the course for this year, there should be no reason the 87 wont be in contention down the stretch. 

2014 Preview: Dumas Racing

Owner- Patrick Dumas

2013 Standings- 7th / 2014 Projection- 10th

The Fords of Dumas Racing have a new look, but need to show us something for this season. Richmond finished 17th in the standings last year, but needs to be a mentor to rookie teammate Patrick Cobb, Jr. If they can improve, it'll go a long way to establishing the team as a contender.

Kevin Richmond / 17 / Times Warner Cable Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 17th / 2014 Projection- 17th

 The 12 car moved over to the 17 this year. Richmond had a disappointing season last year. His best finish was 5th, twice. He needs to break that barrier and compete for the wins. He knows that his boss can pull the trigger on him at any time, so he should feel the pressure. Only one DNF last year is a positive, he just needs to work on the results.


Patrick Cobb, Jr. / 71 / Pabst Blue Ribbon Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- Rookie / 2014 Projection- 16th

 The 71 is projected to be the better rookie. This team was the 17 last year, who Unger took to victory lane once last season, and wound up 12th in points. That winning team will give him a jump start on Fitzpatrick in the Rookie of the Year race. He will have to prove to the other drivers why Dumas decided to give him a ride by performing early.

2014 Preview: Chretien Racing

Owner- Randy Chretien

2013 Standings- 10th / 2014 Projection- 7th

Last season's last place team has only up to go. We think they will! Last year, the team was weighed down by Danny Harkins. He has since been repaced by a smart fast rookie, who will be looking towards his teammate for help.

Drew Tabulov / 2 / DC Shoes Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 10th / 2014 Projection- 9th

 Despite only 10th place finish last season, the 2 car ran well. His 5 top 5s had him up there with the best of the series. Even despite his 3 DNFs, none of them resulted in a 20th place finish. The thing Tabulov needs to do is find himself in victory lane. If he can win one or two more races this year, he will be in the running come Vegas.

 Carson Fitzpatrick / 22 / Tim Horton's Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- Rookie / 2014 Projection- 20th

The 20 car changed their number and sponsor for this season. The reason his projection is so low is due to not having any performances to base a rating for him. What we do know is that he will be one of the two drivers to have rookie stripes on the back of his bumper. He also replaced one of the worst drivers. So we know the team isn't that strong. Maybe Fitzpatrick can write a new chapter in the Chretien Racing book.

2014 Preview: Big Stuff Racing

Owner- Shane Ca'nup

2013 Standings- 8th / 2014 Projection- 9th

The two Fords with Winthrop logos on the back end will have an uphill battle. Last season, the team did record 2 wins, but the team never really contended on the regular. For this season to go better, Flint will need to finish races, and Dorian will need to score some top 5s.

Karl Flint / 0 / O'Charly's Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 14th / 2014 Projection- 14th

 Karl Flint's 2014 campaign will rely on how consistant he can be. Last year, he recorded a win at Atlanta, and a win at Sonoma. The problem was that, those were 2 of the 5 top 10s he scored. Most of the 9 finishes outside 10th were at the very back of the field. 4 DNFS was tied for most in Sim Cup. If the team cuts down on mistakes, and hang on to some low-number finishes, he can wind up higher than what we have him. But until then, Flint will be 14th.

Zach Dorian / 61 / Stove Top Stuffing Ford Fusion

2013 Standings- 16th / 2014 Projection- 18th

 Zach Dorian surprisingly recorded a top 10 in half of the races, but the problem with him was he only turned one of those into a top 5 result. The key to success is staying up front. With only 20 cars, a top half finish can only do so much. That's why he wound up all the way down in 16th this past season. For this year, we have him at 18th. Not so much regression, more of some drivers that should beat him out in 2014.

2014 Sim Cup Preview

Going in alphabetical order by team, the preview for the upcoming season will be revealed shortly. The projections are based on an average of the drivers as ranked by the owners of Taylor Motorsports and Team Harden.

Updates!

All the cars for the 2014 Sim Cup Season are done and ready to race! They will be posted in our team by team season preview. During that time, a new add on to this blog will sync posts to the @Mock_Sports twitter. That will let me seamlessly update everyone on the league. It'll update every half hour, so I hope this works!

I also did some house keeping on the sidebar and tabs up above, so be sure to check those out.

But the recording system is still needing to be played with. It's the last step from us starting up the engines at Homestead. Sometime in May will be the starting date.

Paint Schemes

Nevermind all of the posts on paint schemes since last season! Every single car is going through a slight update graphically. Results will be up soon!