2016 Contract Year: NASCAR Drivers

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.

#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.

#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. 

#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.

#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?

#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. 

#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.

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.