By Race Chapman

Some racers excel when they focus exclusively on racing. By having a team, manager, agent, and mechanic to take care of all the little details, all their energy can be spent on the track. But that's not always the case — and some perform better when the entire team is on their shoulders. Ryan Gustin will find out which driver he is in 2018 as he climbs behind the wheel of his self-owned Dirt Modified.

Despite an exceptional season in 2017, with several crown jewel trophies to add to his collection, he will be parting ways with teammate and owner Jason Hughes.

Gustin had five wins in the Hunt for the Casey's Cup, the most of anyone in the stacked field. He was also tied for the most top fives with 13 and the second-most top 10s behind Hughes with 16. But by starting only 17 of the 20 rounds due to an illness, Gustin was only able to secure fifth-place overall for the 2017 season.

Considering that Gustin had three less chances than every other driver in the top 12, his results were outstanding. Had he started every race during the season, he would have been a hard man to beat.

Gustin will still be racing a Hughes car while under his own management, with new sponsor Tri Star Engines and Transmissions providing the power plant. Mullins Race Engines had been Gustin's motor provider since 2010, so the move to Tri Star is a pretty big shift for the 27-year-old.

Gustin commented on Tri Star: "We just made the trip up there this past week to meet with Dave, the owner, and take a look at their facilities. Their operation is impressive. I have no doubt these guys can get it done.”

Other sponsors for the new team will include JRi Shocks, AFCO Bakes, FK Rod Ends, and Hypercoil Springs. Gustin is negotiating with other sponsors and manufacturers as well to fill out any empty space on the livery.

Rick Gustin, Ryan's father, had a family team boasting sons Ryan and Richie back in 2007 till 2009. That was the closest Ryan has been to running his own team, and it was surely a far cry from what he'll be up against now.

In his 10-year career, Gustin has achieved an outstanding 94 career USMTS victories, with his first coming before he was old enough to vote.

It will be exciting for fans to see what Gustin can do with a full season in 2018. If he can rise to the challenge and compete at a level at which everyone knows he is capable, he will be a very difficult man to beat.

He and Hughes separated on friendly terms and said there would be mutual help between the competitors. Of course, if Gustin suddenly starts blowing away the competition, we'll see how long that gentleman's agreement will last.