Who Will Stay With Their Current NASCAR Teams and Who Will Go?
The 2013 NASCAR season is getting more exciting each week. At Dover, NASCAR penalized arguably the best driver in the sport. Well, even though he may have been penalized and lost several points because of it, it will effect his season minimally. Due to his success, this driver will never have to worry about being a free agent as long as he wants to drive. However, this isn't the case for most drivers.
That driver is Jimmie Johnson. Johnson has a contract signed through 2015, but it's rather obvious that he isn't leaving Hendrick Motorsports anytime soon. This is probably because the team wouldn't let it happen and there's nowhere better for Johnson to go to. His teammates are in the same situation, yet they're probably the only group in NASCAR will job security.
Over the past few NASCAR seasons, drivers have make some major changes. Dale Earnhardt Jr. left the company his father created to go to Hendrick and ended up doing worse there. Who would've thought this could happen? Well he isn't going anywhere simply because he's a marketable driver. He isn't the only one that's made the leap to a bigger team. We've seen it happen every year. Kyle Busch to Joe Gibbs Racing. Tony Stewart leaving Gibbs as he buys out the old HAAS/CNC Racing team. Ryan Newman to Stewart-Haas Racing. There's plenty of more major moves, but it's too many to name.
This year, throughout the top three NASCAR circuits, there's plenty of swapping that will occur. Some drivers will remain where they are. Some drivers may opt to retire. Other drivers may just switch teams. The trend of going to a lower series running in a more competitive car can also happen. Big named free agents are on the market and now is the time where teams are beginning to look at their options for the 2014 season.
Joseph Wolkin can be followed on Twitter at @JosephNASCAR.
Jamie McMurray-Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing
Though McMurray is having his best season since 2013 and already has the amount of top-10's he had in all of 2012, McMurray's job is still on the line. Rumors have Kyle Larson taking over this ride if McMurray doesn't take this car to victory lane this year. However, he's been more consistent this year and if it weren't for some bad luck, he would be in the top-15 in points. If he isn't resigned by his team, expect McMurray to end up possibly back at Roush-Fenway Racing or going over to Furniture Row Racing if Kurt Busch moves over to Richard Childress Racing.
Dave Blaney-Tommy Baldwin Racing
Retirement could be coming soon for Dave Blaney. He's the No. 1 driver at Tommy Baldwin Racing, but they can easily replace him if they choose to. However, Blaney's the reason they have most of the sponsors they signed which means it would be hard to get rid of him. If he doesn't return to the team, it'll probably be due to his son moving up to the NASCAR Nationwide Series which is a strong possibility with his success in the Camping World Truck Series this year. He may end up splitting the 2014 schedule with the team's second driver, J.J. Yeley and a few others which could be better considering they aren't successful with two cars.
Marcos Ambrose-Richard Petty Motorsports
Ambrose has struggled this year. He's not as competitive as he's been in the past. However, he's doing well as of late with three finishes inside of the top-20 in the past four races. Expect Ambrose to resign with the team as long as his sponsor stays with him. If they don't resign him, he may end up going to the Nationwide Series with a big team just to see if he can win on ovals.
Joey Logano-Penske Racing
Logano's first year with Penske Racing has been up and down. He's either running great or he's involved in accidents. If it weren't for some wrecks, he could have had a possible win and be inside of the top-10 in points by now. Expect Logano to stay with the team as his performance excels by week.
Kevin Harvick-Richard Childress Racing
It's probably the worst kept secret in the NASCAR garage, but Kevin Harvick is leaving Richard Childress Racing for Stewart-Haas Racing. His replacement is clearly going to be Childress' grandson, Austin Dillon, who will probably be sponsored by a mixture of current RCR sponsors in the Sprint Cup Series and the ones which he's had in his past few years in the sport. Harvick will probably be bringing the Budweiser sponsorship with him.
Jeff Burton-Richard Childress Racing
Jeff Burton's season has been by far better than last year. However, it looks like he'll be the odd man out at RCR. He didn't have a sponsor for a few races this year and Childress threw on his wine company on the car just so it isn't blank. He's 46 years old and going to be 47 in a few weeks. If he doesn't resign with the team at the Sprint Cup Series level, they may offer him a gig in the Nationwide Series just so he can end his career on a high note.
David Ragan-Front Row Motorsports
With his win at Talladega, David Ragan is probably on the radar of some teams. He could end up at Richard Petty Motorsports. However, it's likely that he'll stay with the team and keep growing.
Josh Wise-Front Row Motorsports
Josh Wise is finally getting to run full races and has run moderately competitive along with his teammates. Wise probably isn't going anywhere.
J.J. Yeley-Tommy Baldwin Racing
Yeley is easily replaceable for the team and since he hasn't run well all year, expect them not to resign him. He may remain with them on a small capacity, but it's more likely he'll go back to the Nationwide Series with a team like JD Motorsports.
David Gilliland-Front Row Motorsports
Gilliland is the team's lead driver for several years. He's the most experienced on the team and can bring a lot to Front Row Motorsports if they can get a higher quality of equipment.
Ryan Newman-Stewart-Haas Racing
Newman can be the odd man out at this organization. With Harvick joining the team and since they haven't been too successful with three cars, expect them not to expand to a fourth team. Newman could rejoin Penske Racing if they don't resign Logano, but he can also end up at RCR.
Juan Pablo Montoya-Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing
Expect Montoya to stay with Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing next year and probably beyond that. He has two near wins on ovals this year, but he's been either great or terrible which is a cause for a concern. If he doesn't get resigned, he could fill Newman's void at SHR as long as he can bring a sponsor with him.
Aric Almirola-Richard Petty Motorsports
Aric Almirola has been one of the most competitive Ford Racing drivers this year. He's expected to stay with the team as everyone is excited about his future.
Bobby Labonte-JTG/Daugherty Racing
Labonte is on the hot seat this year. He may end up splitting the schedule with Mark Martin next year since Martin wants to stay with a Toyota team and help Michael Waltrip Racing. However, they may replace Labonte with a younger driver forcing him to retire.
Regan Smith-Phoenix Racing/JR Motorsports
With Phoenix Racing possibly closing later this year, Smith will be without a ride in NASCAR's top level. His job at JR Motorsports seems secure since he's leading the NASCAR Nationwide Series points standings. The sponsors like him and he's a driver that can win races. Expect him to stay with the team for at least another season.
A.J. Allmendinger-Phoenix Racing/Penske Racing
It seems more likely that A.J. Allmendinger will be given another opportunity by Penske Racing to drive a car in the Nationwide Series next year, taking over Sam Hornish Jr.'s car. Hornish will probably go to the Sprint Cup Series and the team is already giving Allmendinger another shot at the road courses in the car usually piloted by Brad Keselowski and Logano.
Mark Martin-Michael Waltrip Racing
Mark Martin won't be at Michael Waltrip Racing next year, but he will be racing in NASCAR and it will probably be with a Toyota team. He may be able to run a partial schedule at Joe Gibbs Racing or JTG/Daugherty Racing depending on which team wants him more.
Kurt Busch-Furniture Row Motorsports
Kurt Busch is rumored to be a fourth RCR car next year. It seems like they want him over at that team since Furniture Row Motorsports has a strong alliance with them. He could be Burton's replacement, but can also stay with this team since they're having plenty of success in their first year together.
David Reutimann-BK Racing
Reutimann hasn't done much this year. He's running in the late-20's/early 30's on a weekly basis. Expect him to stay with BK Racing simply because no other driver is going to go to this team. However, they may replace him with a guy like Cole Whitt.
Travis Kvapil-BK Racing
Kvapil was the team's original driver and was at the shop daily when they were building from the ground up. Expect him to stay with the team as they continue to grow. Kvapil's leadership skills have helped the team grow during tough times and is their lead driver.
Scott Speed-Leavine Family Racing
Scott Speed doesn't really have any other team to drive for, but he may have offers if this team runs some full races. If they don't, he'll probably stay with them, attempting more races each season.
Michael McDowell-Phil Parsons Racing
In the past, McDowell has run a few Nationwide Series race for JGR. It appears as if that won't happen this year. That was his lone opportunity each year to prove he can race competitively. He's running a few Nationwide Series races this year for an upstart team. Expect him to stay at Phil Parsons Racing.
Elliott Sadler-Joe Gibbs Racing
Though Elliott Sadler has struggled this season, he may be given a Sprint Cup Series gig with JGR on at least a part-time basis, likely splitting the year with Mark Martin. It would give Sadler a chance to gain momentum back at the top level as well as giving Martin a shot at running in a competitive car. Sadler didn't run well at Kansas in his one shot at an intermediate track in the Sprint Cup Series which may be wary for the team. However, his experience can pay off if given some time to adjust. If not, he'll probably stay in the Nationwide Series again.
Sam Hornish Jr.-Penske Racing
Hornish Jr. should be going up to the Sprint Cup Series next year on a full-time basis. If not, he's probably going to be looking for a job. He could go to RCR's Nationwide Series program since Ty Dillon will be moving up, but they'll probably have an opening for the majority of the schedule with Harvick leaving the team.
Mike Bliss-Tristar Motorsports
Mike Bliss shouldn't be with this team. He's running a start and park car in the Sprint Cup Series, but his Nationwide Series car is a top-15 car weekly. He's Tristar Motorsports' best driver, they won't let him leave, but he may find a spot in the Camping World Truck Series if he's lucky.
Brian Vickers-Joe Gibbs Racing/Michael Waltrip Racing
Vickers will likely be taking over Mark Martin's car next in the No. 55 Toyota for MWR. It seems like Aaron's will sponsor him for the majority of the season and he'll have his last shot at being successful in the Sprint Cup Series.
Justin Allgaier-Turner/Scott Motorsports
It wasn't until a few weeks before Daytona that Turner-Scott Motorsports announced that Justin Allgaier will return to the team. Allgaier is one of the most consistent drivers in the sport. He may have a few offers in the Sprint Cup Series, but he seems content staying with the team since he has a shot at winning a few races per year.
Michael Annett-Richard Petty Motorsports
Annett was injured at Daytona in a horrific crash. Since his return, his numbers haven't been outstanding.The team isn't focused like they were last season and their performance has been effected by it. Expect Annett to return in some capacity since he has a sponsor that has his back. However, the team just signed two drivers to development deals with Ryan Truex and Corey Lajoie who may end up taking over the No. 43 Nationwide Series car next year.
Travis Pastrana-Roush/Fenway Racing
Pastrana's actually doing well this year. He's not in a place where he'll win races and he understands that. However, the team is giving him time to adjust and he should be back next year, even though he doesn't have a sponsor.
Parker Kligerman-Kyle Busch Motorsports
Kligerman is one of the most impressive young drivers in NASCAR. He's been able to race competitively every week on tracks that he hasn't even been to in the past. Expect him to return to Kyle Busch Motorsports or maybe even replace Vickers at JGR which would be a better deal for him.
Dakoda Armstrong-Richard Childress Racing/Turn One Racing
Armstrong isn't the most impressive of drivers. However, he has sponsorship. His Turn One Racing team supports him which should mean he'll be back in 2014. RCR signed him to a limited schedule this year and he has done rather well. He may run a few more races with them next year, but he shouldn't get his hopes up.
Tim George Jr.-Wauters Motorsports
The man is only with this team because he has a sponsor and no one else does. Tim George Jr. wasn't able to run well at RCR and he certainly isn't doing any better this year. He may be able to continue driving for at least one more season, but so far he hasn't impressed anyone.
John Wes Townley-Red Horse Racing/Venturini Motorsports
Townley is running decent with Red Horse Racing this year. Besides the times which he's been involved in accidents, Townley has raced inside of the top-15 on most occassions. Expect him to be back with them because he's the only one with sponsorship on the team. His Nationwide Series program with Venturini Motorsports has been horrific but they want him to run full-time next year if they can. It would be a giant mistake for both sides as they don't have the equipment and Townley doesn't have the talent.
Max Gresham-Eddie Sharp Racing
Gresham is finally with a decent team after winning a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title two years ago with JGR. He left the team to go to the Camping World Truck Series and hasn't been too successful. He had a great run at Charlotte and proved he can run upfront. Expect him to stay at Eddie Sharp Racing.
Ron Hornaday Jr.-NTS Motorsports
It's been a long journey for Ron Hornaday Jr. since Kevin Harvick Incorporated shut down. However, he still loves to race and has sponsors to back him. He's a Chevrolet driver which limits his options. He may be able to get a job with RCR replacing Ty Dillon, but if not he'll be back with this team.
Todd Bodine-Thorsport Motorsports
Retirement is an option for Todd Bodine, but that's his last resort. Bodine is running on a race-by-race schedule once again and isn't doing too great with Thorsport Motorsports. If he can find a sponsor, every team will want him. Expect Bodine to not know where he's racing until a few weeks before Daytona.
Timothy Peters-Red Horse Racing
Peters is RHR's best driver. He can win races and is a true short track racer. Though he barely has sponsors, the team can't afford to lose him.
Miguel Paludo-Turner/Scott Motorsports
Paludo hasn't been too successful besides in qualifying. If he doesn't win a race this year, expect the team to not resign him. However, he may go to Red Horse Racing if that's the case.
Brendan Gaughan-Richard Childress Racing
Brendan Gaughan loves racing for RCR. He's having the time of his life this year and should stay with RCR in the Camping World Truck Series.
David Starr-Arrington Racing
Expect David Starr to announce he's retiring. He isn't successful with this team and no one else has space for him. However, he still may return, but he just won't be competing well at the larger tracks. They're a lot better off just running the short tracks.
Matt Crafton-Thorsport Motorsports
Let's face it, if Matt Crafton were to leave this team, he would have done it already. However, with his success this year, they will probably consider moving him up to the Nationwide Series since he's going to be 38-years old in a few days and can clearly compete on a high level.
Johnny Sauter-Thorsport Racing
Sauter may be able to land a job in the Nationwide Series. But at this point in his career, if he doesn't win a championship this year, his best bet is to stay with Thorsport Racing.
