2017 Contract Year: NASCAR Drivers

Which NASCAR Drivers Will be Looking for a New Contract for 2018?

By Richard Tix

Its early in the 2017 season process, heck it just the offseason, but why not take a look ahead at what drivers will be looking to get new contract deals done before the 2018 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.

So, take this list with a grain of salt because extensions could have already happened behind close doors (cough cough Denny Hamlin every single year). Also, this list really only contains guys from HMS, JGR, SHR, CGR, RCR, RFR, RPM, Penske, and Furniture Row. No, not because I dislike little teams -- I actually like pulling for them -- but because many times those teams run on single year deals anyways and have a ton of turnover.

#1 Jamie McMurray

JMac is a guy who tends to find my free agent list often and most of that is because how difficult it is to find information on NASCAR contracts. It looks like 2017 if his last year under his current deal with CGR. It doesn't seem like CGR is in a rush to push anyone up the ranks just yet so it makes sense to bring back a steady driver like JMac if they can continue to bring in sponsorship.

#2 Brad Keselowski

BK, Paul Wolfe and Miller Lite were all extended through the 2017 season. So far, I haven't heard word on the future of any of the three. It seems safe to say that Penske wants all three back and I don't see any of them going anywhere, but it will be interesting to see if Miller Lite cuts back its number of races again if they do extend. I expect Brad and Paul back with Penske in 2018.

#11 Denny Hamlin

Every year Denny Hamlin looks like a free agent and every year he has a deal. No one really knows much about his last extension or a new one that is supposedly in the works. So, until I hear different I will expect Hamlin back at JGR in the No. 11 for 2018. Update 2/23/17: Per the usual, Denny Hamlin has signed an extension. This one is said to be a long term deal with he, JGR, and FedEx.

#20 Matt Kenseth

This might be the most interesting FA of 2017. Will Kenseth retire? Sounds like he wants to keep racing. So, will JGR bring him back? They already have Erik Jones in the waiting plus a ton of development drivers. Will Carl Edwards want back? That's a long shot, but it sure would complicate things. Kenseth will be a story line to follow.

#27 Paul Menard

Paul is always working year to year with his deals. However, he brings in needed sponsors to RCR so it's hard to see them letting him go. If they did, that would be a whole third car needing sponsors on a team that's always looking for them. Unless he hangs it up (doubtful), then I expect him back at RCR in 2018.

#42 Kyle Larson

Larson picked up his first win in his third full time season in 2016 for CGR. Normally contracts run three years, meaning his deal would have been up last year. However, I haven't heard any word on an extension. One thing is for sure, he is driving for CGR in 2017 and it seems to me CGR should want it's top talent back. The one thing to keep an eye on is sponsorship. Target is already starting to back down it's number of races in 2017 and could step down even more in 2018.

#43 Aric Almirola

RPM backed down in 2017 by announcing they would drop their second car -- the No. 44. Between poor performance and lack of sponsorship, RPM has been struggling for years now. RPM's latest win was with Aric Almirola and a rain shortened Firecracker 500 at Daytona. Before last season Almirola seemed to be having a pretty good run considering the circumstances, but last year the floor fell out. 2018 might be a time for RPM to move on from Almirola unless they don't want to gamble losing more sponsorship without him (he seems to have some decent relationships). I'm not sure who they would move on to, so 2018 and RPM is a head scratcher.

#48 Jimmie Johnson

To everyone's knowledge, JJ and Lowes are signed through 2017 but a deal hasn't been finalized for the furture of this HMS team. Same goes for Chad Knaus and his deal -- through 2017. I would expect everyone to return and an extension to be in place because this team has been too good to break up.

#77 Erik Jones

Erik technically still will be under JGR in 2018, but in 2017 he is running a one year deal with Furniture Row in the No. 77. The question for 2018 will be, is Erik back with Furniture Row while waiting for a JGR car to open up, or will he finally get a seat at JGR? He is a big part of JGR future so it doesn't seem likely that he gets away from them of Furniture Row.

#88 Dale Earnhardt Jr

If Junior wants to race in 2018, he will race and be in the No. 88 HMS Chevy. The bigger question will be will Nationwide extend and if so for how many races? If not, will another sponsor step up? With it being Junior and HMS, most likely they will find something.

2017 Daytona 500 Speedweek Schedule

Daytona 500

By Richard Tix

All Times are Eastern Time Zone (ET)

Friday February 17, 2017

• 5-5:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice for The Clash at Daytona
• 6:30-7:25 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice for The Clash at Daytona

Saturday February 18, 2017

• 12:30-1:25 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice 
• 2:30-3:25 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice
• 8 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona (75 laps)- FS1

Sunday February 19, 2017

• 3:10 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Qualifying (single car/two rounds)

Thursday February 23, 2017

• 12-12:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first duels practice
• 1-1:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series second duels practice
• 2-2:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series first practice
• 4-4:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice
• 7 p.m.: First Can-Am Duel race (60 laps)- FS1
• 9 p.m. (approx.): Second Can-Am Duel race (60 laps)- FS1

Friday February 24, 2017

• 12-12:55 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series first practice
• 1-1:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 practice
• 2-2:55 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice
• 3-3:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 practice
• 4:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifying (single car/two rounds)
• 7:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 (100 laps)- FS1

Saturday February 25, 2017

• 10:30 a.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Qualifying (single vehicle/two rounds)
• 1-1:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 final practice
• 3:30 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Powershares QQQ 300 (120 laps)- FS1

Sunday February 26, 2017

• 2 p.m.: Daytona 500 (200 laps)- FOX

We're Going Streaking 2017

NASCAR Drivers on a Current Win-Less Streak

By Richard Tix

This right here is a great movie and a great article rolled into one. We're Going Streaking is all about NASCAR Cup drivers who are on a bad run of being, well, bad. Correctly put, these drivers haven't won a Cup race in a very long time. So, lets get like Frank the Tank and get streaking!

2013 We're Going Streaking, 2014 We're Going Streaking, 2015 We're Going Streaking, and 2016 We're Going Streaking

"We're... We're going streaking! We're going up the quad and to the gymnasium."

"Frank, get in the car."

"But... everybody's doing it."

Paul Menard (Streak Number: 196)


Part of having Menard on this list isn't even fair. Why is that? Well, his last win dates back to 2011 which is still his only win. Still, if he and his dad are going to bring the family sponsor into a ride like RCR, the pressure will be on for him to get off this list. I'm thinking Paul will be on this list until he retires.

Clint Bowyer (Streak Number: 149)


149 races and after last season it seems like 249 races. Last year made most fans forget Bowyer even raced in NASCAR. The silver lining was he knew he was joining SHR in the No. 14 at season's end. The question now is, can a guy with eight career Cup wins finally get back to VL in 2017? No. 14 hasn't exactly been fast, but it's driver (Tony Stewart) also hasn't exactly been himself for his last few years. Oh, and if you want to know how long this streak has been in days, just ask @DrunkBrianF on twitter and he will tell you.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Streak Number: 148)


For anyone who may have forgotten, this is the same Ricky that won back to back Xfinity (Nationwide) Championships, never lost a motocross championship from 1997-2006, and is know as the GOAT. Ok, well the first part is true and the rest is about another Ricky (Carmichael), but you get the point. Yet, Ricky hasn't found where victory lane has been located at the Cup level. Now, part of that is being stuck at RFR for the worst years historically of RFR, but Stenhouse hasn't exactly shown a ton yet either. Maybe he needs a new ride or maybe RFR get's it going again with only two cars, however I don't see it leading to VL in 2017.

Greg Biffle (Streak Number: 129)


Speaking of RFR down to two cars, no one knows yet if this streak number will be the Biff's last. At the moment Biffle doesn't have a ride for the 2017 season which will leave it very tough for him to snap this streak. It's too bad too, because a 69 or 169 race streak would be way better, am I right Greg?

Ryan Newman (Streak Number: 124)


Every year Newman is the guy I could see pulling off a win as Loudon, Martinsville, or some place like Indy. However, if you take away his 2003 eight win season Newman hasn't been a winning in bunches type guy. When you already don't win in bunches it is hard to knock off this streak especially the older you get and the longer RCR stays mediocre. I think the next RCR driver on this list might win before Newman does again, which hurts to say as a Newman believer.

Austin Dillon (Streak Number: 121)


AD has started his Cup career with 121 straight non win races. However, other than Clint Bowyer, he probably has the most positive outlook about winning in 2017 than anyone on the list. In 2016 Dillon doubled his career top 5's (four), more then doubled his top 10's (13), and doubled his pole awards (2). Last season he was the best RCR driver and will look to build that momentum into 2017 and hopefully a trip to VL.

Jamie McMurray (Streak Number: 112)

Daytona? Talladega? Charlotte? Indianapolis? If you're expecting McMurray to have a shot, that's where to look. JMac is a force at superspeedways as he always finds a clean way to the front, but at most other tracks he is just a steady top 10-15 driver. Things can change, but unless he pulls off another superspeedway win look for this streak to continue.


Kasey Kahne (Streak Number: 83)


Eighty. Three. It has been 83 races since Kahne locked in a Chase spot late in the 2014 season at Atlanta. Part of me wants to think he will get back ton his old winning ways (a race or two every season), but the numbers are starting to level off an suggest different. He is at HMS so he always has a chance to snap out of it. Meanwhile, he still shows flashes of running well, like this past year from Darlington to Texas where he picked up a top 5 and seven top 10's in ten races. Kahne will still win again before his career is over, the question is when and how many times?

*The Streak Number is the number at the beginning of the 2017 season. The article will not be updated every week to reflect the 2017 races that have gone by.

2017 NASCAR Prospect Watch

Behind the Wall's Annual Prospect Ranking

By Richard Tix

Man, let me just start by saying it has been one heck of a busy year! After the 2016 season wrap up and review articles I just could not find the time to get to any season previews. I do apologize to any of you who really enjoy those previews, but this year it just isn't going to happen. Getting married, getting a new dog (anyone who follows on twitter probably has seen my Golden Retriever, Cooper), buying a new house, and taking a new position at the company I work for all in 1 1/2 years will really tie up your time.

However, some articles will have no excuses as they're the bread and butter of why I enjoy doing this as a hobby. Weekly power rankings, weekly reviews, weekly TV schedules, season predictions, predicting a Champion, "We're Going Streaking," and the Prospect racing (plus more) are all getting done.

First up, the Behind the Wall Annual Prospect Watch. I have been making a prospect list on Behind the Wall since 2015 and it is one of my favorite articles to look into. Even if I fall out of touch a bit with some young guns, this article pulls me back in by looking into each drivers past season's and stories on why they should make the list.

The best part? Every year a guy I didn't even have listed on the "Keep and Eye On" section make the list the next season. Now, sometimes it's on me after overlooking them, but sometimes it's just that random how a young kid can get a deal and or sponsorship and quickly rise the ladder.

In the past three years the sport has been having a huge turnover and young talent is a big thing. Just ask Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota Racing Development how important driver pipelines are. This trend is likely going to continue for the next few years as guys like Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kurt Busch, and Kevin Harvick decide when to call it quit's. So, below (including the 2015 and 2016 list) are drivers that will start to mold the next era of NASCAR.

Note that Behind the Walls rankings leave out drivers known to have a full time ride in Cup for 2017. So, guys like Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez graduated off the list. Yes, they're still part of the future, but at some point the list has to have guidelines -- plus if you look back you will find them on previous rankings. Also, the ages of drivers are what age they will be this year (2017) -- some have not hit that birthday yet while others already had a birthday in the handful of days before this article and the New Year.

**NBTW left out prospect that will driver full time at the Cup level in 2017**


2015 Prospect Watch
2016 Prospect Watch

William Byron, 20 Years Old

Last year William Byron got the big break he was working towards after getting signed on to KBM to run full time in the truck series. He got there after running late models (with Jr Motorsports) and the K&N East series (HScott) in 2015 (K&N East Champion).

While at KBM in 2016, Byron notched a series best 7 wins as well 11 top 5's and 16 top 10's. In 2016 Byron was arguably one of the best Truck Series drivers of the year. In return, Byron now heads the Behind the Wall 2017 Prospect list and also earned a ride with Jr Motorsports (through Hendrick Motorsports) at the Xfinity level full time in 2017. He has shown so far in his career that he is a quick leaner and developer which should go well for his racing future as he is now latched onto HMS.


Christopher Bell, 23 Years Old


Most racing fans already knew his name, but after winning the 2015 dirt race at Eldora (Mud Summer Classic as I will ALWAYS call it) he put his name on the map. Bell is seeming to make a habit of that after winning the 2017 Chili Bowl to kick of this year.

2016 came with mixed results in his first year with KBM at the truck level. Tons of potential was seen as he wracked up 1 win, 9 top 5s, and 17 top 10's in 23 starts, but some flaws also dragged him down a bit. Bell, like many young drivers learning a top three series, was too often part of wrecks that really hurt his production. A 2017 season of refining his skills in a KBM truck will keep him a top the prospect list next year and could even earn him another ride.


Tyler Reddick, 21 Years Old


Tyler Reddick seems like an elder statesmen on Behind the Wall prospect list, yet he just turned 21 years old not long ago. That's mainly because Reddick has laid down 63 starts at the truck level already in his young career. He was the highest driver from the 2016 list to not move onto Cup (Erik Jones has a full time Cup ride) as he was ranked number two last year.

2016 was a bit of a step back in production compared to 2015 with only one win, 8 top 5's, and 12 top 10's, but his consistency earned him a spot with Chip Ganassi at the Xfinity level in 2017 (part time with Kyle Larson). The move to CGR also clears up some questions on where he might fit into the Cup scene in the future.

For being part of the young gun crew at the age of 21, Reddick sure does have a ton of seat time under his belt so watching him on Sundays may not be that far off if and when a spot opens at CGR.

John Hunter Nemechek, 20 Years Old

JHN ran his first full time truck series season in 2016, but he seemed to regress almost down the board compared to 2015. He ended the season with two wins, five top 5's, and 11 top 10's on his way to an 8th place series finish.

However, JHN still has loads of potential as evident in what he does with the equipment he has (family run NEMCO). 2017 will be a big year to see if he can turn his luck around and start running more consistent which could open the door for his future.

Todd Gilliland, 17 Years Old


Todd Gilliland rocketed up my list as a guy who wasn't even mentioned to start 2016 to 5th overall. That will happen when in one year you win 7 total K&N Series races (6 for the West and 1 for the East) and the K&N West Championship. Todd, son of David Gilliland, used all of that momentum to really gain notice and earn rides at the next level in 2017.

As well as competing for both the K&N Series Championships (West and East) in 2017, it was announced he will run four races for KBM in the truck series (No. 51) starting at Gateway Motorsports Park on June 17. Gilliland became the youngest champion in the history of any NASCAR national or touring series this season. He has had a history with KBM (late model series), so it is safe to assume he will continue to climb the ladder with them and Toyota.

Cole Custer, 19 Years Old



Crew C change in 2016 mid year (Joe Shear to Marcus Richmond) which helped him. 

Cole still has a lot of worked to do while finding his way up the charts, but at a young age of 19 he still has plenty of time to sharpen his skills. In 2016 he ran his first full season at the truck level and posted five top 5's and 14 top 10's, but consistency really dragged him down and he came across win less at the truck level after having wins in his previous two partial schedule seasons.

In 2017 Jr Motorsports is shutting down its No. 00 truck so Cole will be moving on with SHR at the Xfinity level. So, next year will bring a step up the series ladder, but may also bring a ton of bumps along the way. It will be fun to see how Custer adapts at the next level after trucks. 

Darrell Wallace Jr, 24 Years Old

Darrell Wallace is still a guy I have a ton of hope for at the next level, but when will he catch his break? In 2016 he once again ran with RFR at the Xfinity level. His production doesn't look great on paper, but fans have to remember he is working with RFR equipment every week.

He finished the year with three top 5's and 9 top 10's and an 11th place finish in the standings. The thing that will help him the most in his quest for the next level and more success will be to keep his car clean. Wallace tends to end up in too many wrecks to lay down enough consistency to boost his numbers (this has always been his knack).

Daniel Hemric, 26 Years Old


Hemric took on his second full season at the truck level in 2016 and his first with BKR. The boost in equipment only solidified the fact that Hemric has been rising up the prospect watch. Daniel may have failed to win, but he posted 11 top 5's and 17 top 10's in 23 starts last season. Hemric finished the season 6th in points, but it could be argued he was one of the most consistent drivers all year at the truck level.

In 2017 RCR is expanding to a five car field at the Xfinity level and Daniel Hemric will be the one moving into the No. 21 full time. Every step of the way so far since making the Behind the Wall list has gone well, this one might be the best opportunity yet.


Cameron Hayley, 21 Years Old


2016 was Hayleys second season at the truck level after a successful rookie season in 2015 where he put up four top 5's and 13 top 10's. In 2016 he managed six top 5's and 10 top 10's on his was to an 11th place points finish. Before the truck series Hayley was a successful K&N driver when he came up just short to Ben Rhodes in the East Championship just one year after coming up short to Derek Thorn in the West Championship.

Hayley might just be the biggest question mark on this list as he broke news earlier this past year that he would not be coming back to ThorSports. Hayley has tons of talent but without a ride and having troubles with finding sponsorship, his 2017 plans are on hold. Hopefully something opens up at the national level so we can see his development continue.


Noah Gragson, 18 Years Old


Gragson is a 2016 NASCAR Next driver that you should start to get to know if you haven't already. You may have heard his name already but can't remember why. Most likely it is because you heard the news he was picked up to run full time in 2017 for KBM in the No. 18 truck.

Gragson made his way to KBM by posting 4 wins, 12, top 5's, and 19 top 10's in 27 K&N races (East and West) last season. Thats just one season after winning 2 races, 7 top 5's, and 11 top 10's in 13 races as a rookie in the K&N West Series. He will now get settled in with KBM for the 2017 season and really put his skills to the test. He could be next years big mover on this list depending on how well his rookie truck season goes.


Chase Briscoe, 23 Years Old


Briscoe won the 2016 ARCA championship while driving for Cunningham Motorsports last season. In 20 races, he won 6 races, with 14 top 5's, and 18 top 10s, plus six poles. Chase is one of the first drivers to benifit from Ford Racings new development program.

In 2017 Briscoe will run a full schedule in the truck series with BKR after both seats opened up on the team. He is still raw and hasn't proven anything in the top three series, but he will get a shot in 2017. If all goes well, doors under the Ford umbrella could start to open up.


Ty Majeski, 22 Years Old

Maybe its some regional bias and maybe it's too soon to list him this high, but the Wisconsin native Ty Majeski made a huge name for himself in 2016. Sure, he was already making a name for himself long before 2016, but after a season with a World Series of Asphalt Championship at New Symrna, a third straight ARCA Midwest Tour Championship, and the pole at the Snowball Derby (2015) his name is almost on fire.

To top it off, his 2016 season got him a gig as a RFR development driver even before his 3rd place finish in the 2016 Snowball Derby. So, maybe I am jumping the gun a bit compared to others expectations, but if not you will have heard his name here as well as all around the NASCAR community first.

Others to Keep an Eye on:

Spencer Davis, 18 Years Old - K&N and ARCA (Venturini Motorsports)
Harrison Burton, 16 Years Old - K&N East and part time NCWTS with KBM
Justin Haley, 18 Years Old - NCWTS in 2017 with GMS Racing 

Ben Rhodes, 20 Years Old

Brandon Jones, 19 Years Old - Xfinity with RCR

Ross Chastain, 24 Years Old - Xfinity with JD Motorsports

Corey LaJoie, 26 Years Old - Part time Cup No. 83
Gracin Raz, 20 Years Old - NCWTS with GMS Racing
Ryan Preece, 27 Years Old - Xfinity with JD Motorsports
Josh Berry, 26 Years Old - CARS Late Model
Ben Kennedy, 24 Years Old
Ross Kenseth, 22 Years Old - ARCA
Ruben Garcia Jr, 20 Years Old - K&N East
Rico Abreu, 24 Years Old

Dalton Sargeant, 19 Years Old - ARCA

Brett Moffit, 24 Years Old

Austin Theriault, 23 Years Old - ARCA

Plenty more young guns are coming. Who is your favorite? Who have I missed that you think is the next real deal? Comment below or let me know on twitter! As always, thanks for checking out Behind the Wall.