The 2024 season has been a complete disaster for Ford teams. RFK Racing, a top-tier team at Ford, had high hopes coming into the season. However, after eight races, they find themselves in a difficult situation. Both Kyle Petty and his teammate Chris Buescher, who were strong contenders in the latter half of the 2023 season, have failed to make an impact in any races this season, particularly in the short-track events where they were expected to excel.
Kyle Petty, a former NASCAR driver and race analyst, has now shed light on why Ford is to blame for the team’s decline in performance. He points out that the introduction of the Mustang Dark Horse and the subsequent change in body style has forced the team to start from scratch. They are now having to reevaluate what worked for them in 2023.
However, the struggles of RFK Racing cannot be solely attributed to the new Ford car. No Ford team has managed to win a race in any of the top three tier NASCAR races this season. In fact, most teams are struggling to even compete for race wins. The teams are looking to the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for a breakthrough, and it is crucial that it comes soon.
A two-time Cup Series champion, who has been one of the drivers facing the most challenges this season, has emphasized the need for Ford teams to focus on their engines in order to regain their position at the top. He believes that they need to continue learning about the cars and make improvements to various components in order to maximize the car’s potential.
Ford bears the responsibility of supporting its teams and helping them break free from this winless streak. They must make the necessary adjustments to the cars across all three series and ensure that they reclaim their position at the top. Failure to do so could result in a major public relations disaster for the company if the winless streak continues.