Longhorn Factory Team Struggles

[Snake X3]

Considering the down years B-Shep had and now the same with Overton, do you think the issue could be with Riggs Motorsports? When T-Mac was the driver with Paylor, the factory car won Lucas titles, now they aren't even top 5 in points. It seems odd to me that two very accomplished drivers have had weak years once joining Riggs. Anyone have any insight?

[ready2rd]

It's pretty obvious Anthony Burroughs ain't the reason Thornton was so fast.

[Henry Every]

CBR (Clint Bowyer Racing) had similar issues, the only title they ever won was when Barry Wright was maintaining the Don O'Neal housecar "FOR" them. Aside from then CBR with all their financing and support were where super talents went to look mediocre. Babb, Davenport, etc. IMHO, its usually something internal to the team, bad habits, ego's, arrogance, etc. Teams can have the absolute perceived best available and still suck, because they refuse to do whats right and needed to succeed. I'm not familiar with Riggs personally, but it begs the question, why can't the "Dream Teams" do better? Bad luck does happen, parts fail, but there should be at least some flashes of greatness, imho. Unless they are the R&D car, but still you'd expect to see something.

[Snake X3]

CBR (Clint Bowyer Racing) had similar issues.

Exactly where my thoughts were. Very similar situation. Appreciate your thoughts.

[Flathead]

Overton is definitely a better driver that his results have been lately. I think maybe the issue with the factory car is probably having to be the test guy while racing.

[84wedge]

CBR and Dunn Benson seemed like everyone was on vacation rather than trying to compete.

[Tireguy17]

I think Burroughs is a capable CC and Overton can still drive. Maybe their pairing just isn't working? Setups Burroughs was using with O'Neal and RTJ don't fit Overton? Team operation?

[Jking24]

I think most just don't realize how hard this sport really is and how much everything matters. You can only buy so much success in this sport and the entire riggs operation has proved that for many years. You can write big checks and pair all the precieved best people in the sport together and if the chemistry or communication isn't their its just not gonna be successful and it's nobody's fault many times. This can be seen at every level of motorsports but imho it's the toughest in dirt latemodel racing. Some teams click some don't. On a personal note Overton has never done great in these types of situations. not meaning he's the problem. the situation just doesn't fit his style and the drivers mindset and comfort matter as much or more than any other one thing. As a big Overton fan I'll be glad when he makes his money and moves on to another situation that makes him happy witch is undoubtedly one that puts him home more and in control of where when and how he races

[ftfiowa]

Overton is a talent...but a headcase too and anytime you hear a young guy say he hates traveling thats the dead giveaway that hes not a grinder. 32 & 20rt & 22* are grinders. Overton is not.

[84wedge]

Overton flat out said he wasn't cut out for touring AND he just had a kid. His heart is not 120% in it.

[Josh Bayko]

Overton ain’t fit for national touring and will tell you that himself.

But the car itself doesn’t look nearly as stout as the other Horns in the field.

[DirtTrackin52]

Overton ain’t fit for national touring and will tell you that himself.

You're not wrong, his 2024 was pretty bad with Wells/Infinity.

[Snake X3]

I agree that Overton isn't fond of running a tour, which might explain some of his struggles, but Brandon Sheppard struggled with Riggs as well. It seems to me that's the issue rather than the drivers. Maybe it is a chemistry issue, but I think B-Shepp had a couple of different crew chiefs too. I didn't expect anyone would have a definitive answer, but I think it could just be a combination of all the ideas. Some teams are just snakebit. The Dunn Benson and Clint Bowyer teams were other good examples of just how hard it is to excel when you're running against the best of the best. Money can only buy you so much.

[Top Row Analyst]

Overton ain’t fit for national touring and will tell you that himself.

But the car itself doesn’t look nearly as stout as the other Horns in the field.

You're not wrong, his 2024 was pretty bad with Wells/Infinity.

Overton did win the Hunt the Front Series title in 2024... It will be interesting to see if he comes to the Prairie Dirt Classic and Cedar Lake since they are WoO races.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

I agree that Overton isn't fond of running a tour, which might explain some of his struggles, but Brandon Sheppard struggled with Riggs as well. It seems to me that's the issue rather than the drivers. Maybe it is a chemistry issue, but I think B-Shepp had a couple of different crew chiefs too. I didn't expect anyone would have a definitive answer, but I think it could just be a combination of all the ideas. Some teams are just snakebit. The Dunn Benson and Clint Bowyer teams were other good examples of just how hard it is to excel when you're running against the best of the best. Money can only buy you so much.

Dunn Benson was 100% terrible chemistry with the wrong guy in charge.