2015 Contract Year: NASCAR Drivers

Which NASCAR Drivers Will be Looking for a New Contract for 2016?

By Richard Tix

Its early in the 2015 season process, heck it just the offseason, but why not take a look ahead at what driver will be looking to get new contract deals done before the 2016 season. Let's take a look at the drivers that could end up Free Agents in the NASCAR world for the 2016 season. NASCAR isn't always as easy to look at contracts as in other sports, because sometimes sponsors dry up or extend there contracts which then will have teams thinking about making extensions with drivers (hand in hand). So, this list will be updated throughout the season to reflect those changes and news.

#1 Jamie McMurray

McMurray has always been a driver who seems to bounce around a lot. He is a quality veteran driver yet he doesn't seem to have a high ceiling anymore. At 38 years old he is still in part of his prime years and could also help Ganassi bring a long a young driver like Kyle Larson even though after one year it looks like Kyle has figured it out. McMurray is towards the top of many people's list of underrated drivers and each year is a threat to pull off a win here or there which gives him a shot at the Chase every year.

#5 Kasey Kahne

The fourth Rick Hendrick car is always a hot commodity when it comes to the NASCAR world (think Chase Elliott). This season will be a make or break year for Kahne, since a lot of fans think he will get the boot for a new young hot shot. In 2014 Kahne has the lowest amount of top 10 finishes in his career since 2010 when he had 10. He is only 34 years old, so he has many prime years in his career left. The big question is, will Hendrick part ways with Kasey? If not, Kasey might be the biggest headlining free agent switching teams in 2016.

Update: Technically this update came before I released the article, but not before I started the draft. I want to leave this in here just because it was always speculation Kahne would be out, and Chase Elliot would be in. Well, 11/20/14 Kahne signed an extension to stay through 2018.

#10 Danica Patrick

Unless Danica wishes to hang up her NASCAR career I don't see her going anywhere. Even if she doesn't improve from her spot right now, she still is competitive and is a cash cow for a team that expanded to four cars in 2014. If for some reason she doesn't get to keep the fourth SHR car, then she will find a ride somewhere else and sponsors are sure to follow. It was noted during Media Week that both Danica and Stewart-Haas wants her back, but they are still trying to work things out.

#11 Denny Hamlin

In 2014 JGR brought in high profile driver Carl Edwards from RFR. In 2015 JGR will have to decide if four cars was the right idea for there future. A even bigger decision if they stay four cars will be, do they stick with Denny Hamlin or do they make room for a new young guy? At the end of the season Denny will still be in the earlier stages of his prime, so I am sure any team would love to have him.

#13 Casey Mears

2015 will be Mears 5th full season with Germain Racing (2010 was only a partial season with Germain). In those season's he has help a small team finish 27th, 25th, 33rd, and 26th (2014) in points. Since he has been with Germain for so long it just seems weird to think of someone different with that team and that sponsor. 

#48 Jimmie Johnson

I don't think we even have to worry about this relationship with JJ and Hendrick. I am sure at some point we will hear about a new deal in place. JJ, Hendrick, Knaus, and Lowes all have a good thing going and I doubt they turn there backs now since JJ still has plenty of good years left. This one is just waiting on and update with more details.

#78 Martin Truex Jr

Martin got the boot out of MWR when sponsor NAPA left them after the whole Richmond fiasco in 2013. Truex was the lone man out and he gladly took over the void Kurt Busch left at Furniture Row. The 2014 season didn't go as well as when Kurt was in town, but Martin is still a capable driver. The tough part is seeing NAPA come back into the Cup level considering when they pulled out Martin lost his ride. A good season with Furniture Row could go a long way in seeing if he might get another shot with a larger team.