Which NASCAR Drivers Will be Looking for a New Contract for 2017?
By Richard Tix
Its early in the 2016 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 2017 season. Let's take a look at the drivers that could end up Free Agents in the NASCAR world for the 2017 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). NASCAR contracts are not as easily attainable as in other sports, so most the time contract talk is all speculation in this sport. This list will be updated throughout the season to reflect those changes and news.
#1 Jamie McMurray
Last year McMurray entered the season with contract talks looming. He was last known to sign in 2013 and typically NASCAR deals end up being three years. So, it sounds like this season maybe the last on his contract. McMurray has provided Ganassi with a quality driver that they can count on year after year. Cessna should be back again in 2016 as will McDonalds. The #1 may also get a few races from Sherwin Williams, Energizer, and Bass Pro Shops as well. Unless Ganassi has big plans to find another driver, it makes sense to bring McMurray back again.
Last year McMurray entered the season with contract talks looming. He was last known to sign in 2013 and typically NASCAR deals end up being three years. So, it sounds like this season maybe the last on his contract. McMurray has provided Ganassi with a quality driver that they can count on year after year. Cessna should be back again in 2016 as will McDonalds. The #1 may also get a few races from Sherwin Williams, Energizer, and Bass Pro Shops as well. Unless Ganassi has big plans to find another driver, it makes sense to bring McMurray back again.
#11 Denny Hamlin
This contract was also rumored to start 2015, until Denny leaked that he "has some time left on his deal." It seems like 2016 might finally be the contract year for Denny. It doesn't seem like he nor JGR want to part ways, so he will most likely be back in the #11 in 2017. Also, FedEx has been a solid sponsor in NASCAR and hasn't really hinted at any idea's of moving, so I expect them to be back as well. **Update: Before this was even released it was mentioned that DH will at least be at JGR through 2017. NBTW will still keep him here because his deal continually is a mystery, but we believe the rumors, he will be in the #11 through 2017.
This contract was also rumored to start 2015, until Denny leaked that he "has some time left on his deal." It seems like 2016 might finally be the contract year for Denny. It doesn't seem like he nor JGR want to part ways, so he will most likely be back in the #11 in 2017. Also, FedEx has been a solid sponsor in NASCAR and hasn't really hinted at any idea's of moving, so I expect them to be back as well. **Update: Before this was even released it was mentioned that DH will at least be at JGR through 2017. NBTW will still keep him here because his deal continually is a mystery, but we believe the rumors, he will be in the #11 through 2017.
#16 Greg Biffle
Things haven't been going Biffle's way the past few seasons and Roush Fenway Racing's struggles haven't made it much better. To make matters worse sponsor's will eventually start leaving this once proud NASCAR race team. Starting with Ortho leaving the #16 and possibly NASCAR in 2016. I am not sure what RFR and Biffles plans will be heading into 2017, but it seems like it could be time to part ways and to get fresh starts. Kellogs and Cheese it will both be back in 2016, but the amount of races haven't been disclosed.
Things haven't been going Biffle's way the past few seasons and Roush Fenway Racing's struggles haven't made it much better. To make matters worse sponsor's will eventually start leaving this once proud NASCAR race team. Starting with Ortho leaving the #16 and possibly NASCAR in 2016. I am not sure what RFR and Biffles plans will be heading into 2017, but it seems like it could be time to part ways and to get fresh starts. Kellogs and Cheese it will both be back in 2016, but the amount of races haven't been disclosed.
#27 Paul Menard
2016 could be a contract year for Menard at RCR. Both he and Menards are both signed on through this season. The most obvious outcome would be that Menard is back with RCR in 2017 as will Menards. He has been a quality driver and he has the built in sponsor with Menards, and for teams that are trying to scrounge up sponsors for races, it is nice to have a driver who has a big sponsor locked up. If he does leave Menards will go with him wherever which should leave him with a decent amount of teams to choose from.
2016 could be a contract year for Menard at RCR. Both he and Menards are both signed on through this season. The most obvious outcome would be that Menard is back with RCR in 2017 as will Menards. He has been a quality driver and he has the built in sponsor with Menards, and for teams that are trying to scrounge up sponsors for races, it is nice to have a driver who has a big sponsor locked up. If he does leave Menards will go with him wherever which should leave him with a decent amount of teams to choose from.
#31 Ryan Newman
Newman's 2017 plans are interesting. 2016 will be his third year with RCR in the #31 and he has made the new Chase both years, including the finals in 2014. Catepiller is still signed on in 2016 for 21 races and it is believed Wix Filters will also be on the #31. Grainger signed a multi year deal in 2015, but Quicken Loans left RCR and Newman to team up with Kasey Kahne and HMS. Other than Newman (2 Chase births) and Menards one, the rest of RCR has been average (really, so has Newman), but he has been steady year in and year out. However, eventually Richard Childress will want to bring along Ty Dillon and 2017 might be the year. So, do they open up a fourth car? Or do they part ways with Newman?
Newman's 2017 plans are interesting. 2016 will be his third year with RCR in the #31 and he has made the new Chase both years, including the finals in 2014. Catepiller is still signed on in 2016 for 21 races and it is believed Wix Filters will also be on the #31. Grainger signed a multi year deal in 2015, but Quicken Loans left RCR and Newman to team up with Kasey Kahne and HMS. Other than Newman (2 Chase births) and Menards one, the rest of RCR has been average (really, so has Newman), but he has been steady year in and year out. However, eventually Richard Childress will want to bring along Ty Dillon and 2017 might be the year. So, do they open up a fourth car? Or do they part ways with Newman?
#43 Aric Almirola
Amirola is back with RPM in 2016 and brings back Smithfield Foods for 29 races as well. No word on other sponsors such as the Air Force or STP yet. It has been a wild ride for Aric and RPM. RPM has been in a big hole, but Aric did make the Chase in 2014 after a rain shortened race at Daytona that locked him in. RPM just changed drivers in the #9 to Brian Scott for 2016, but it is hard to see them move away from Amirola considering the options currently out there for them.
Amirola is back with RPM in 2016 and brings back Smithfield Foods for 29 races as well. No word on other sponsors such as the Air Force or STP yet. It has been a wild ride for Aric and RPM. RPM has been in a big hole, but Aric did make the Chase in 2014 after a rain shortened race at Daytona that locked him in. RPM just changed drivers in the #9 to Brian Scott for 2016, but it is hard to see them move away from Amirola considering the options currently out there for them.
#78 Martin Truex Jr
Furniture Row extended Truex for another season after an amazing run in 2015, but only for one year. The future of the team is up in the air right now with the move from Chevy to Toyota. If all goes to plan, it sounds like FRR and Truex want to stick together for the foreseeable future, but sponsorship has a lot to do with that decision. FRR also wants to move to a two car operation in 2017 and maybe even a three car in the future after that. **Update: Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Truex Jr for 9 races as primary. Big news for a small team looking to advance and grow.
Furniture Row extended Truex for another season after an amazing run in 2015, but only for one year. The future of the team is up in the air right now with the move from Chevy to Toyota. If all goes to plan, it sounds like FRR and Truex want to stick together for the foreseeable future, but sponsorship has a lot to do with that decision. FRR also wants to move to a two car operation in 2017 and maybe even a three car in the future after that. **Update: Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Truex Jr for 9 races as primary. Big news for a small team looking to advance and grow.
