2016 NASCAR Prospect Watch

Looking at Some of NASCAR's Up and Comers

2015 NASCAR Next Class

By Richard Tix

Finally the 2016 NASCAR season is on our doorstep. The Daytona 500 is right around the corner and the Sprint Unlimited already has one foot in the door. NASCAR fans can already smell the Sunoco Race Fuel and burnt rubber at the track, NASCAR is back.

With the season right around the corner, it is time for you to get the young guns back on your radar. The guys that will be shaping this sport and be the next faces of NASCAR as we know it. NASCAR Behind the Wall will list out the guys (or gals) you need to know for the 2016 season. This is in order of NBTW top prospects, but many drivers can have a case made for them any given year. Some will hit, some will miss, and some just may never get the right opportunity. No matter the situation, get ready to watch these guys on Friday's and Saturdays (heck even on Wed.).

Do note, that guys that are slated to run a full time schedule at the Cup level going into the 2016 season were not included. Guys like Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and Chris Buescher have officially been retired from the list (however guys like Brett Moffit, Ty Dillon and Ryan Preece are still eligible).

**NBTW left out prospect that will driver full time at the Cup level in 2016**

Erik Jones, 20 Years Old


Jones was on top of my list last season and that was before even having a full time ride at any of the three National levels (behind Elliott and Blaney). In 2015 he finally got that chance in the Camping World Truck Series where he ran all 23 races.

Jones cashed in on running 23 of 23 races by winning the 2016 Championship with 3 wins, 11 top 5's, and 20 top 10's while finishing an average of 6.3 place.

In 2015 he even filled in for Kyle Busch (INJ) and Matt Kenseth (SUS) when they were out (3 total races) at the Cup level. He had mixed results (40th, 12th, and 19th) but the confidence shown by JGR says it all about his potential. Jones Might be the future replacement of Matt Kenseth when Kenseth finally decides to retire. Jones continues to be a Joe Gibbs Racing development driver who will eventually get a Cup ride.

Tyler Reddick, 20 Years Old


Reddick was fifth on my list last year, but guys like Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher have fallen off the list as they will run Cup full time in 2016. As was the case with Jones, Reddick got his first shot at a full time ride in 2016 in the Camping World Truck Series and he ran off with it.

Tyler, with Brad Keselowski Racing, took his opportunity and won 2 races, 14 top 10's, and 19 top 10's on his way to a runner up spot to Erik Jones. He also had an average finish of 6.3 and in many ways was just as good, if not better, then Jones in 2015. Reddick was in a lower tiered truck compared to Kyle Busch Motorsports but still produced high numbers week in and week out.

It is hard to know where he will fit in at the next level and where he will be able to get a ride, but he is an exciting prospect to keep an eye on.


John Hunter Nemechek, 19 Years Old


JHN has still yet to run a full season at a top three level, but when he has he has looked pretty impressive. He is only 19 years old and has already begun establishing a nice resume that includes a Camping World Truck Series win in 2015, 2015 Snowflake 100 win, and 2015 Snowball Derby win.

In just 18 Truck starts in 2015, he had 1 win, 8 top 5's, and 10 top 10's on his way to a 12th place points finish which was better than a few full time drivers. Son of former Cup driver Joe Nemechek, he still has some time before he makes it to Cup (if he does), but he is a guy you can't take your eye off of because of the loads of potential. JHN just need to continue to log seat time and eventually an opportunity should come his way.


Cole Custer, 18 Years Old


I am still very high on Cole Custer as he is still very young, but he has had a habit of getting into bad situations that end up in wrecks. He ran a ton of races inside the top 15 in the Camping World Truck Series in 2015, but sometimes struggled to finish them out.

He only ran a partial schedule in 2015, 10 races, and finished the year with 1 win, 2 top 5's, and 4 top 10's. But, he has started a pretty nice resume that should help continue to get him in seats going forward. He is locked in as getting a full season ride in the #00 Truck for the 2016 season.

In 2014 Cole Custer beat out Dylan Kwaniewski's record of the youngest driver to win on the K&N Pro Series level by 6 months, Cole was 15. Last season season Cole became the youngest driver to win on the NASCAR national level when he won in the truck series at NHMS at the age of 16, 7 months, and 28 days.

He is still a ways out, as are many of these guys, but it will be fun to watch how he develops if he starts to keep his truck/car clean during races.


Ty Dillon, 24 Years Old


Ty is a safe bet on the prospect list to reach the Cup level. He has a bunch of sponsors and just like his brother, he should easily find his way to Cup either with RCR, or with RCR equipment. He has had the benefit of having quality rides on the way, so sometimes it is a bit tougher to judge how bright he really can shine.

He has now run back to back full time Xfinity seasons and has won just one race in 66 tries (78 total including part time seasons), but both years he finished top 5 in the standings including 3rd in 2015.

He has become a very consistent driver but it might be becoming more and more apparent that that might be all he becomes at the Cup level. 

Darrell Wallace Jr, 23 Yeasr Old


After a very successful two year career at the truck level (2013 and 2014) where Wallace notched 5 total wins and 14 top 5's in 44 races he got a shot with RFR at the Xfinity level full time. In 2016 Wallace wasn't as good as he had been at the truck level, but he did show some consistency when he stayed clean.

But, as it is for Custer, staying clean will be a big part of how Wallace continues to develop in his career. If he can find the right CC pairing and keep his nose clean, he should have the opportunity to possibly make a splash with RFR at the next level in the next few years.

Christopher Bell, 22 Years Old


Last season Christopher Bell wasn't even on the radar by the time I set the Prospect Watch loose. In 2015 he ran a total of 7 Truck Series races and 2 K&N races. But, he was all over the scene at every level that rocketed him from not on the list to up with the big boys.

All of this happened when he won the "Mud Summer Classic" (at the time it was still named that), which is obviously the truck race at Eldora Speedway. Christopher might be a product of the Toyota system rocketing people up the ladder by having superior equipment, but we will find out more in 2016 as he will have a full time ride in the truck series (though it will still be in KBM equipment).


William Byron, 19 Years Old


Byron spent 2015 running Late Models for Jr Motorsports and running the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for HScott Motorsports. He notched 4 wins, 5 top 5's, 11 top 10's in 14 races on his way to his first K&N Championship.

Byron maybe part of the Toyota hype machine as his 3.214 was the lowest PEER of a K&N East champ in the last five seasons. However, he will get a chance to continue to develop with good equipment in 2016 as he will be a full time driver for Kyle Busch Mototsports in the Truck Series.


Daniel Hemric, 25 Years Old


In 2015 Daniel got on the National radar by running full time for the first time in the Truck Series for NTS Motorsports. He ended the season with 4 top 5's and 13 top 10's in those 23 Truck races on his way to a 7th place points finish.

Before being on the National radar he was well known for his Legend Car success and was very well respected from that aspect.

Now, he will get a chance to continue to gain respect in the Truck Series as a full time driver of the #19 for Brad Keselowski Racing in 2016. In 2015 he was an above average passer and one of the better late race chargers (plus-8.2 percent PRD-F), so it will be interesting to see how he does with a bit better equipment in 2016.


Brandon Jones, 19 Years Old


Jones is a guy with talent, but also with a lot of connections that might help him when competing with others for a ride at the next level. His father has a big connection with Rheem so RCR might just keep him close and in the system just for that fact.

In 2015 he competed part time in Xfinity (5 races), Trucks (17 races), and ARCA (10 races) plus a few other races here and there. He didn't notch a win in any single series last season but did have a 2.206 PEER in those 17 Truck Series races. Between his upside and his potential to keep a sponsor (Rheem) and ride (RCR) Jones is one to keep tabs on.

Daniel Suarez, 24 Years Old


Suarez was heavily overlooked for his 2015 Xfinity season debut. Much of that was caused by the fact that he did not finish the season with a win. But, despite that he has a very success full rookie season where he finished with 8 top 5's and 18 top 10's in 33 races. However, 0.803 PEER and pass efficiency of 49.95 percent at the Xfinity level were nothing to be happy with.

The 2013 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Class member will once again drive for JGR in the Xfinity Series in 2016 with a chance to finally notch his first Major Series win. We have seen a slow start with Suarez before (K&N Series), so he may come around in his second year.


Rico Abreu, 24 Years Old


Rico doesn't have a ton of experience at the National level, but he has been a fan favorite for a few years now while he has risen up the ranks in a quick fashion. Friend of another local driver and current Cup driver Kyle Larson, Larson helped him break into sprint cars which Abreu excelled in.

He did run a full 14 race K&N East Series schedule last season and finished with a win, 4 top 5's and 8 top 10's while finishing the year with an average finish of 9.4.

Unlike Larson, Abreu might not find the fast track to Cup as quick, but he has been given a fast track to the Camping World Truck Series. In 2016 he will run the #98 for ThorSport Racing in the Truck Series. Like Larson, he is a Ganassi development driver and if he continues to improve could one day end up in a Cup car.

Others to Keep an Eye on:

• Ben Rhodes, 19 Years Old- Part time Xfinity in 2015. 2014 K&N East Champ. Full time trucks in 2016
• Ben Kennedy, 24 Years Old- NCWTS driver of the #11
• Spencer Davis, 18 Years Old- K&N driver
• Brett Moffit, 23 Years Old- Ran some Cup in 2015. 
• Ross Kenseth, 22 Years Old- ARCA
• Ryan Preece- Ran a few Cup races in 2015
• Austin Hill, 21 Years Old- NASCAR Next 2014 Class
• Mason Mitchell, 21 Years Old- ARCA Champion in 2014
• Cameron Hayley, 19 Years Old- K&N Pro Series East in 2014. 2nd in points behind B Rhodes.
• Ruben Garcia Jr, 19 Years Old- 2016 D4D driver. NASCAR Mexico Series Champion

Past Prospect Article Links

• 2015-2016 NASCAR Next Class
• 2015 NASCAR Prospect Watch

NASCAR Implements Charter System for Upcoming Season

A Closer Look at the Charter System in NASCAR Cup

By Richard Tix

With much anticipation, NASCAR released the details of a new Charter System that will be implemented at the start of the 2016 season that is right around the corner (2016 Speedweek Schedule). For some time now it had been rumored that such a system might be coming, but after NASCAR announced on social media it had a large news announcement set for 2/9/16, it became a reality.

The rumors started a huge fan following on social media that started with "this is a stupid idea," to, "I will no longer go to a race because only 40 cars will be on the track." In short terms, it went from ridiculous to preposterous quickly. Most of this was coming from fans that knew nothing about the possible changes because details had yet to be released, yet were outraged.

In fact, all of the information was just "rumored" at the time (though some of it true), so no one really knew the full details on something they were so upset about.

In the end, the Charter system is a business decision made by NASCAR, its drivers, and its owners for the future of the sport to try and help facilitate an easier to forecast business model. Not only do they hope this helps the visibility of NASCAR teams and their costs, but also outside investors in the sport.

With more visibility NASCAR may become a smart business decision instead of a risky one, which may help lure some new sponsors and owners in. No longer will teams and sponsors have to worry about being in a race every week, or just that one week they have there name on the car. They can actually formulate a business plan that has at least some structure (every business plan has outside events that could happen, but as NASCAR is right now they're too many of them for it to be a smart business move).

If someone wants to get into a guaranteed spot then the market will dictate the price and they can get in by purchasing a Charter. No, it won't be cheap, but that also means that if a team is willing to spend that money they're also willing to spend it on the track and must have investors lined up. It also gives a team that is struggling financially the ability to get out with at least some sort of reimbursement by selling there Charter, instead of selling cars for a nickle and a dime. Lets get into some of the released details and what it means.

Charter Details

• 36 Charter spots. A Charter spot guarantees you into each week's race.
• Must have run every race since 2013 to get a Charter (41 and 19 will have to purchase one)
• Field is now 40 cars (down from 43)
• The final four spots will be determined by qualifying.
• Minimum nine year deal
• Charters can be transferred: or bought
• Agreement also includes the establishment of the Team Owner Council

Owned Charters

• Henrdick Motorsports (4)
• Team Penske (2)
• Richard Petty Motorsports (2)
• Richard Childress Racing (3)
• Roush Fenway Racing (3)
• Chip Ganassi Racing (2)
• Joe Gibbs Racing (3) - The 19 does not have one (will buy from MWR)
• Michael Waltrip Racing (2) - Will sell both (19 and 41)
• Stewart-Haas Racing (3) - The 41 does not have one (will buy from MWR)
• Furniture Row Racing (1)
• Front Row Racing (2)
• BK Racing (2)
• JTG Daugherty Racing (1)
• Tommy Baldwin Racing (1)
• Germain Racing (1)
• Go FAS Racing (1)
• Premium Motorsports (1)
• Circle Sport Racing (1)
• HScott Motorsports (1) - Going to lease from Premium for the #46 of Annett

What it all Means?

The biggest thing is how NASCAR teams or future teams enter the sport. It won't be as easy to enter the sport, but if they do they will be serious and most likely have the funds to run weekly. This Charter system lets potential investors and owners see what they might get back weekly with more clarity. With it, teams can see the bare minimum that they should bring in each year and have a more predicable financial model from year to year which they can use to grow or sell out of a spot depending on their outlook.

It also assures sponsor's that if they put a name or brand on a car, that it will race that week no matter what happens. The smaller teams can effectively sell there product (car) to potential sponsors and tell they they will be in the race each week.

I also mentioned above that it will also help out teams that have a Charter that might be struggling to leave the sport with a bit of some financial help (selling Charter). The way of looking at race teams is changing, but not all of that maybe bad. However, most of the product on the track should be the same for the most part. The new business environment should provide a more stable and appealing market for sponsors, owners, and investors. If all goes well this could be a big move for NASCAR, but as always the real part of all of this will be in the details and how it actually plays out. It will be another wait and see game in a world of it that we have come to know in NASCAR. 

2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Headlines

By Richard Tix

As we head into a new season we once again have a ton of storyline to watch unfold. NASCAR Behind the Wall will take a look at some of the bigger headlines to get you ready for the season that is right around the corner.

• Tony Stewart to Retire After the 2016 Season and His Injury
• Last year the top headline was Jeff Gordon's retirement. This year? Its Tony Stewart. Just like Gordon, Stewart will still be heavily involved in the sport going forward (as an owner). Before his recent spiral his career was nothing but achievement after achievement. 2016 was supposed to be a nice going away party but it has already started on a sour note when he was injured in a "sand rail" incident that left him with a back injury. The injury will leave him out of the Daytona 500 and it has yet to be known when he will come back (I assume he will miss quite some time). Instead of starting on a high note, now all fans will be waiting patiently for him to come back.
• NASCAR's New Low-Downforce Package
• It was a hit at the normally dull Kentucky and the retro smash at Darlington in 2015. So, NASCAR decided it was best to go with a low downforce packaged full time (except superspeedways) in 2016. I still believe each tracks package should be tweaked to fit as perfect as it can (and I am sure NASCAR is looking into it), but either way, most fans feel this is a step in the right direction for on track entertainment. The races should be a bit more in the drivers hands now as they may have to wheel it around a bit more, which is all around good for racing.
• Jeff Gordon Out, Chase Elliott In
• Gordon in the Booth
• This one is two fold. First, with Gordon retiring in 2015 he will step into the FOX Broadcast booth for the 2016 season (no he will not fill in for Tony Stewart). He will join Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip in the booth to help as a race annalist. Most fans are excited to hear his take on what is going on during and after races. Gordon signed on with FOX to a multi year deal to be in the booth helping NASCAR fans on race day see the race in a different way. He will also continue to be a heavy contributor for the future of this sport and where it goes.
• Chase in the #24
• The second tier is the part about a young, well known, prospect with NASCAR bloodlines taking over Gordon's #24 ride with Hendrick Motorsports. That would be Bill Elliott's son, Chase Elliott. Chase has big shoes to fill not just because it is Jeff Gordon's spot with HMS, but also because it is with Hendrick, where a ride comes with ton's of pressure as it is (just ask Kasey Kahne). It will be a fun ride for this rookie including his ROY battle all season long.

• Rookie of the Year Battle
• Speaking of Chase, he will be one of a few drivers going for the NASCAR Rookie of the Year Title. He is a front runner as well as Wood Brothers/Penske driver Ryan Blaney and Front Row/Roush driver Chris Buescher. Brian Scott will also be in the running while in the #44 for RPM, but he is a guy outside looking in (Chris maybe the same). It will be one of the better classes in recent years for young talent.
• Will the Next Star Please Stand Up?
• Going even deeper then just the 2016 ROY battle, who will be the next NASCAR star? Plenty of young talent is waiting in the wings (which we will get to in Prospect Watch), however let's just focus on the crop that has a full ride at the Cup level. With guys like Gordon and Stewart leaving, and Kenseth, Biffle, and Earnhardt not getting younger, who will be the face of NASCAR? Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Chris Buescher all have talent, but only one win between them and that was an underdog story for the ages (Bayne's Daytona 500 win). Each has a personal story line beyond this one, but will a couple of them step up to replace faces of NASCAR like Gordon and Stewart who have done so for decades? Will one of them (or more) get a win this season? Someone has to join Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch as the future face of the sport.
• Third Times the Charm?
• Year three of the "New Era" Chase is upon us. For the most part I am still pro Chase as I realize we will never go back to the old just points racing (it is too far gone folks). Of course I have some tweaking I would like, but who doesn't? Yet, the verdict is still out on the new format. Year 1 it was possible that a zero win driver could have won, but didn't. Year 2 a driver who missed 11 races of the season won, but he was absolutely dominant upon his return and played by NASCAR's rules to do so. What will year three bring? One thing is for sure, the new Chase has given us tons of exciting storylines to watch as the season dwindles.
• Who will NASCAR's New Sponsor be in 2017?
• This isn't the main headline many fans will be looking at or watching in 2016, but it will be something of note to keep tabs on. Sprint is done as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Cup Level after this season, which leaves a huge void. Who will step up and put a ton of money into becoming the main title holder of NASCAR's biggest series? Will it be what NASCAR expects from a sponsor, or will they have to settle for a lower number then expected? The news might be on weekly winners, but the Sponsorship news is just as important to the future of NASCAR and how it stands. No sponsor would mean big trouble.

Added by the Readers

A few extra headlines readers said they will be looking at in the 2016 season

• The Lower Level Chase
• NASCAR added the new Chase to the Xfinity and Camping World Series this year. The Chase will add a new element and challenge to each of these drivers and teams. I will personally be interested because it gets these guys ready for the next level by given them a preview of the format. As Avery (@AveryHage) mentioned, he is interested to see "which drivers will inevitably get in fights and feuds." It sure does add a new wrinkle to the lower series.
• Caution Clock
• Not only was the Chase added to the lower levels, a new "caution clock" was added to the Truck Series. A "shot clock" as you will, will go off every 20 min and a competition caution will then be waived. It will be interesting to see how this effects or changes the race and on track entertainment.
• Charter System
• Will it happen (most likely), when will they finish it, what will be the details? Almost everyone speculates it will come this year and it has been rumored that the news will break around Daytona. What will the exact details of it be and will it be set for the 2016 season? I think everyone in NASCAR is curious and waiting the news like Valerie (@valerielynn01). NASCAR does have a "big announcement" coming 2/9/16 per @NASCAR twitter, maybe it will be about the Charter?
• Will Clint Bowyer Get Into the #14 Early?
• With Tony Stewart out "indefinitely" will and Bowyer slated to drive the 14 for SHR in 2017, will he just take over at some point this season? I tend to believe he and HScott will stick this thing out as it could be a big move for them as a team, however that doesn't mean that things down the road won't change if Smoke misses a ton of time (or worse yet, the season). I and @NASCARNAC will be watching it close this year as each race passes by.

Can-Am to Sponsor 2016 Daytona Duel

2016 Can-Am Duel at Daytona

By Richard Tix

This Speedweek the Duel will look a bit different. Can-Am will take over sponsor ship of the two 150 mile races that help qualify and set the field for the 2016 Daytona 500. The Duel, most recently sponsored by Budweiser (2013-2015), will be held Thursday February 18th (Full Speedweek Schedule).

Can-Am is a producer of motorized recreational vehicles and engines for BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products), which is a Canadian Corporation. "We feel that there’s a natural fit with NASCAR racers and their fans. Thanks to our association with Kappa, Cyclops Gear and the GOFAS race team, we are now a sponsor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the title sponsor of the Can-Am Duel, the ultimate test before the Daytona 500," said Anne Bélec, senior vice-president, Global Brands and Strategy for Can-Am.

NASCAR moves on from Budweiser as they re-brand towards there Busch brands and move onto a new and exciting involvement with Can-Am. "We’re excited about developing this new partnership with BRP, the world leader in recreational vehicles,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “With two thrilling and unpredictable 150-mile qualifying races, the Can-Am Duel At Daytona will provide a great platform for BRP to promote their Can-Am products at the ‘World Center of Racing."

It's good news to see someone step right in and seem like a nice fit for NASCAR and it's fans. Maybe BRP's involvement with a larger item like the Duel will push them even further into the sport as a sponsor? One thing is known for sure, "The Twins" will now once again go by another name and are something to look forward to.