Five Potential Candidates to Fill in for Tony Stewart

Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

The farewell tour for three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart is not going the way anyone in the sport could have imagined.

Stewart, who suffered a burst fracture in his back while driving a dune buggy Sunday, January 31, will miss the beginning of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

The entry list shows Ricky Stenhouse Jr will race in lieu of the no. 14 for Stewart in the pre-season, non-points paying event, the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona on February 13th. Also racing in lieu of the no. 24 for the Jeff Gordon, who is now retired, is Casey Mears. Both drivers will continue racing with their existing teams for their season opener, the Daytona 500 on February 21st and beyond.

So now, the biggest question that remains is, who will fill in for Stewart beyond the Sprint Unlimited? There are many drivers without a full-time ride in Sprint Cup or without a ride in any NASCAR division and several candidates from the XFINITY or Camping World Truck Series. Here is a list of five candidates I feel have the best shot to get the ride for at least some of the races, that Stewart will miss.  Continue reading

Tony Stewart Set Back Again, Now Needs 2016 Magic

Tony Stewart at Daytona International Speedway in February 2015. Photo - Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Tony Stewart at Daytona International Speedway in February 2015. Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is full of optimism and positivity, since there have been a lot of changes since 2015 ended. Jeff Gordon was able to drive off into the sunset on his own terms as he is now ready for his next chapter with NASCAR on FOX. Tony Stewart was looking for the same outcome while preparing for his farewell tour in 2016. But thanks to a back injury suffered while driving a dune buggy in California last weekend, his farewell tour will be starting later than he thought. Continue reading

Former Michael Waltrip Racing Drivers Find Comfort with New Teams in 2016

Photos - Getty Images

Photos – Getty Images

Since Michael Waltrip Racing bowed out of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, there were a lot of employees, not just drivers, looking for a place with other teams. For two drivers, Clint Bowyer and David Ragan, they were able to get rides for 2016 and beyond securing their future. It’s always a roller coaster when drivers and other crew members are left to find work elsewhere when their company closes due to lack of ownership or funding. Continue reading

Brian Vickers: The Forgotten Michael Waltrip Racing Driver

Photo - Getty Images

Photo – Getty Images

Since Michael Waltrip Racing announced they were closing their doors back in August, we knew a lot of crew members and other employees would be out of work once the season ended. The organization allowed drivers Clint Bowyer and David Ragan to find rides elsewhere even during the season. So far, Bowyer has signed a one-year deal with HScott Motorsports in 2016 while being the replacement driver in waiting for Tony Stewart in 2017. As of now, Ragan is still looking for a new ride. Continue reading

Fan4Racing News Now: For the Week of January 11, 2016

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NASCAR Pre-Season News for the Week of January 11, 2016

NASCAR Pre-Season Breaking News for the Week of January 11, 2016

Fan4Racing News Now – highlighting NASCAR Pre-Season breaking news for each week leading up to NASCAR season openers at Daytona International Speedway in February.

Check back throughout the week for new updates as they become available. Thanks!

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