NASCAR free agent pool
We looked at the Formula One and IndyCar free agent pools earlier this week. Meanwhile, most of the NASCAR field is set for 2014 but there’s still a handful of seats remaining, and they’re likely to be filled by a number of mostly journeymen drivers.
•Dave Blaney (30th in 2013): Cup veteran since 2000. Replaced by Michael Annett at Tommy Baldwin Racing. Not sure if he’d prefer to keep running midpack at best in Cup or run Nationwide and/or Trucks and keep focused on son Ryan’s emerging career.
•Travis Kvapil (31st): Unfortunately was most noteworthy in 2013 for his legal issue that arose prior to Charlotte, and didn’t do anything with BK Racing that really merits a third season. Rumors are that young Nationwide driver Alex Bowman may test for the team soon.
•J.J. Yeley (32nd): Like Blaney, doesn’t bring sponsorship to TBR and has sprint cars to race. Whether Baldwin keeps him in the No. 36 remains to be seen.
•David Reutimann (33rd): Lowest in points of those who drove all 36 races. A veteran hand but can’t be thrilled running 30th every week in his first season with BKR.
•David Stremme (36th): Bounced by Swan Racing for two youngsters, doubtful if another full-time ride will present itself.
•Timmy Hill (38th): May take over the No. 32 full-time if Frank Stoddard prefers that to the round-robin of drivers. Only four top-30 finishes in 19 starts doesn’t say much, though.
•Scott Speed (41st): His career odyssey took him from F1 to NASCAR to Global Rallycross. So whether Speed turns up in NASCAR again after his exit from Leavine Family Racing is yet another question.
•Justin Allgaier (NR): Phoenix Racing, now Turner Scott Motorsports, has a crew chief for its No. 51 with Steve Addington and a second car for Bobby Labonte at selected races. All it needs to do now is pick a driver for the main car, and Allgaier should be the guy who gets it.
•A.N. Other Veteran or Rookie: Any of your Ken Schraders, Terry Labontes, or Nationwide regulars who get picked out of the blue either for one race, selected races or a full season. There’s always at least one every year. NBC Sports
•Dave Blaney (30th in 2013): Cup veteran since 2000. Replaced by Michael Annett at Tommy Baldwin Racing. Not sure if he’d prefer to keep running midpack at best in Cup or run Nationwide and/or Trucks and keep focused on son Ryan’s emerging career.
•Travis Kvapil (31st): Unfortunately was most noteworthy in 2013 for his legal issue that arose prior to Charlotte, and didn’t do anything with BK Racing that really merits a third season. Rumors are that young Nationwide driver Alex Bowman may test for the team soon.
•J.J. Yeley (32nd): Like Blaney, doesn’t bring sponsorship to TBR and has sprint cars to race. Whether Baldwin keeps him in the No. 36 remains to be seen.
•David Reutimann (33rd): Lowest in points of those who drove all 36 races. A veteran hand but can’t be thrilled running 30th every week in his first season with BKR.
•David Stremme (36th): Bounced by Swan Racing for two youngsters, doubtful if another full-time ride will present itself.
•Timmy Hill (38th): May take over the No. 32 full-time if Frank Stoddard prefers that to the round-robin of drivers. Only four top-30 finishes in 19 starts doesn’t say much, though.
•Scott Speed (41st): His career odyssey took him from F1 to NASCAR to Global Rallycross. So whether Speed turns up in NASCAR again after his exit from Leavine Family Racing is yet another question.
•Justin Allgaier (NR): Phoenix Racing, now Turner Scott Motorsports, has a crew chief for its No. 51 with Steve Addington and a second car for Bobby Labonte at selected races. All it needs to do now is pick a driver for the main car, and Allgaier should be the guy who gets it.
•A.N. Other Veteran or Rookie: Any of your Ken Schraders, Terry Labontes, or Nationwide regulars who get picked out of the blue either for one race, selected races or a full season. There’s always at least one every year. NBC Sports