RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS
SPRINT CUP DRIVER LINEUP: Aric Almirola (crew chief Trent Owens), Brian Scott (Chris Heroy)
CHANGES: Brian Scott joins the organization after having run primarily in the Xfinity Series the past six seasons. He’s joined by crew chief Chris Heroy, who had worked with Kyle Larson the past two seasons at Chip Ganassi Racing.
DID YOU KNOW? Richard Petty turns 79 on July 2, the same day the Sprint Cup Series races at Daytona International Speedway.
EXPECTATIONS: Organization still has much to prove after Aric Almirola made the Chase in 2014 but failed to make it last year. The team’s second car last year was not competitive. Can Brian Scott and Chris Heroy change that?
WHAT THEY SAID:
-- “We’re also taking on building our own chassis in 2016, a very exciting project for us,’' said Sammy Johns, vice president of operations.
-- “We did a really good job this year (of being more consistent); 2014, obviously was a successful year because we won and made the Chase, but in my personal opinion 2015 was a more successful season. We still felt like we accomplished a lot of things (despite missing the Chase). I’ve never been more excited about starting a year than I am this year,’' said Aric Almirola.