Stenhouse counting points and looking forward with Hyak

After a four-race run which included a 17th-place finish at Bristol Motor Speedway, a 21st at Kansas Speedway, sixth at Talladega Superspeedway and 19th at Texas Motor Speedway, Ricky Stenhouse has guided the No. 47 Chevrolet of Hyak Motorsports into 24th position in the NASCAR Cup Series point standings. Now in into his 14th NASCAR Cup season, the veteran is as motivated as ever to continue to improve overall performance and race results with the organization. Stenhouse and crew chief Mike Kelley are eager for what's next

“I think we’re trending in the right direction.,” said Stenhouse ahead of this weekend's road race at Watkins Glen. “We were struggling there before the off week with just not being very good during the race. However I feel like we are headed in the right direction. We got some stage points and got to run up front there for a lot of that race in Texas. We had a couple things we need to clean up there with pit stops and a little bit of our strategy, but all in all, I was happy. Our goal was to get 20 points. Leaving there, we got 26 points. We got six more points than what we were looking for as our goal. I think we overachieved, but then after the race is over you can always look back and say, ‘Dang, I think we left some stuff out on the table with how good we were actually running throughout that race.’ All in all, I was satisfied with leaving Texas.

“We were down to 32nd in points at one point going into the off week. I think we’re climbing up the point standings. We’re cutting the deficit and we’re looking at trying to get into that top 20 in points. Going into last weekend we were 22 points out of 20th place and now we’re 10 points. I like where we’re at. I like what we’re doing. We’ve just got to keep plugging away and make sure we keep getting slightly better.

"I think we’ve got the speed on Saturday that we need. We’re qualifying better. Our average qualifying is up 12 to 14 spots over last year, so a big improvement there. It’s just making those right adjustments going from Saturday to Sunday. Before the break I don’t think we were doing a good job with this. Now, after the off week, I think we’ve been slowly improving on that and that’s what’s given us better races. Making those better adjustments overnight has really helped.

“This weekend is Watkins Glen. It’s a road course. We know that’s normally not our strong suit, but with different strategies and trying to plan the race a little bit different, we can get some points out of there. We can get some stage points and keep building the point totals we get per weekend. You can’t let yourself think too far ahead.”

As the marathon that is the Cup Series schedule heads toward its summer stretch, Stenhouse admits it can all start to blend together at times.

“I tell you what, I sometimes remember where we are at each and every week, but man, you get to this point in the season, and after about three races from here, I have no idea where we’re going," he said. "The tracks are all different everywhere we go. There are definitely different things that change the nuances of what you’re doing behind the wheel with the race car setup-wise. This is the point in the season where I feel like you start hitting quite a few different style of tracks. That’s what makes it tough being consistent.

"I feel like with the mile-and-a-half racetrack that we had in Texas and Kansas, we have a good baseline setup for that. Then you start throwing in a Watkins Glen and Nashville and Dover and things change quite a bit and can make it very difficult. And I like the mile-and-a-half racetracks. I feel like we do a good job with the race team getting prepared cars that are competitive in speed. Those are the racetracks where you get a little bit more brave. You can stick it closer to the wall at some of those and run a little bit higher and push that groove up and kind of take some chances to make some more speed.”

Stenhouse greets fans during driver intros at Talladega Superspeedway. Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Stenhouse is holding fast to self confidence and positivity as the Cup Series season is set to reach for a higher gear.

“Yeah, I’m still positive,” he said. “Again, we went through a lull there where we were struggling trying to find our way on Sundays. I think the positivity we have comes from the speed that we have on Saturday’s. I know our racecars can be where we need them to be or want them to be. We have to make those right adjustments from Saturday night to Sunday. Like I said, I think we’re doing a better job of that since our off week. It keeps me going.

“And being a single-car team makes it tough, but I know there are a lot of big teams that have way more employees than we have that our scratching their heads trying to figure out why we’re outrunning them. I’m happy with our little team. I think there is still a lot left in the tank for our small team. I don’t think we’ve hit our ceiling yet. There is still some room for us to grow.”

Stenhouse knows his team is playing an underdog role, and he thrives on that and the fan following it brings.

“Especially when we go to my racetracks in the Southeast. They definitely like their Mississippi drivers," he said. "Man, being at some of those racetracks we’ve been at lately, it’s felt awesome to get that support each and every weekend when you’re going out and doing autograph sessions and things like that.”

Butr, as the runner-up in the Daytona 500 and sixth at the recent Talladega race, bring on the superspeedway races for Ricky Stenhouse.

“Yes sir. Always looking forward to them," he said. "It’s a great equalizer. I feel like our cars are always handling really well. Everybody is on a little bit more of and even playing field. Things that I’ve learned over the years at those superspeedways, they can shine once you get on that even playing field. And I’m as motivated as ever. Always. It’s year 14 and I still feel as good as ever behind the wheel and still feel as good as ever with the sport I have around me, as well.”