9:37 AM
JD
After a quick look through the top drivers from last year, 2011 could prove eventful when it comes to driver moves. At the end of 2011, eight big names are coming to the end of their contracts: Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya, Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman and Mark Martin.
Out of this bunch, I believe Denny Hamlin and Jeff Burton are pretty well set to stay put. Hamlin is on the edge of a championship and Gibbs would probably chase any other owner away from him. Burton is entering the last few years of his career and likely would want to end it with a top tier team, something that would not happen if he left RCR.
The only driver that will definitely be moving after Homestead is Mark Martin. With Kahne set to take his ride in 2012, most figured Martin would say farewell in 2011, a thought Martin put to rest in the off season. The question is where will he go. Will he go back to a limited schedule? Or will he possibly be slated to start a new car for Stewart Haas? Only time will tell.
The other four drivers fall into two groups: those who could be moved by money, and those who could be moved for more success. Edwards and Biffle, both from the Roush Fenway stable, will most likely be the object of any possible bidding wars. Both of these drivers, especially Edwards, can still compete for championships, and will likely bring a pretty penny.
The two remaining drivers, Newman and Montoya, had some success in 2010, but both teams were inconsistent and could not make the Chase. Both of these drivers want to compete, and if inconsistency turns to stagnation, look for a change.
With any of the last four drivers moving a domino effect could open a few seats, one or two of which could always be filled by new faces. It has been two years since NASCAR had a competitive rookie, no disrespect to Kevin Conway, and several drivers, such as Trevor Bayne, Rickey Stenhouse Jr., or Steve Wallace are chomping at the bit.
2011 could also hold a move for an unknown: someone moving before their contract is up, as some have done in the past. Whoever goes wherever, movement is coming, and will hopefully provide an interesting backdrop to a blockbuster season.
Read more by Joseph Davis at The Spotter Stand and follow him on Twitter @the_Bumpdrafter
Posted in: Carl Edwards,Denny Hamlin,Greg Biffle,Juan Pablo Montoya,Mark Martin,Nascar,Nascar Blog,Sprint Cup
5 comments:
Hey JD!
Let me say this... If I was a Sprint Cup team owner I would be in it for just one thing, to win it all. Of the group of possible free agents you listed there are 2 drivers I'd be after to make it happen, Roush's Edwards and Gibbs' Hamlin. The others are (IMHO) also rans... Oh, they'll get ya close, they might even get ya in the Chase, but mark my words, none of them will win it all. I'm wondering if Edwards might be disillusioned with Ford and if so, then he might just jump ship. Like you say, I can't see Gibbs letting Denny get away from him.
As for the others I'd say Vickers and possibly Newman have the most up side but I think if Brian does well this season Red Bull will hold onto him while I don't think Newman will be leaving his old buddy and stablemate, Tony "Ali" Stewart...
Good one JD!
Agreed Dwindy! I think Edwards may have a good enought first half with improvements last year in the new Ford power plant to keep him at Roush, but if he hits some bad luck, look for a move.
Here's my question. Where would they go if they moved? You only really have 4 teams that can truly compete for a Cup. Hendricks, Roush, JGR and RCR. Other teams may win, but I am pretty sure for atleast the next few years, these are the only teams with the resources to back the talent. If you want to win the championship you need to be with one of these teams. The only way I see a guy like Edwards leaving Roush is if JGR starts a 4th team. Otherwise there is not much upside for him to leave.
i meant other teams may win races.
Good point, stork. If you're not with one of those 4 top teams, you don't have a chance at the title.
Roush is claiming that its cars were set up wrong most of last year due to bad computer info. If this is true, and corrected, (we'll know in the first 3-4 races of 2011) look for da Biff to shine. He is the most underrated driver in Cup... just look at the prior comments here.
Post a Comment