The Spotlight will be on These NASCAR Drivers in 2017
The 2017 season will be upon us soon and for a few drivers, the spotlight will shine upon them. While fans have been counting down the days until Daytona, apologies to Denny Hamlin, many drivers and their teams have been hard at work preparing for the 2017 season. Here’s a look at a few drivers who will be on the hot seat.
5) Carl Edwards While there is no questioning this guy’s skill, it’s time for Edwards to finally capture that elusive Monster Series Championship. He’s been oh so close twice, once losing a tie breaker to Tony Stewart and last season late race heartbreaker that saw Jimmie Johnson capture his 7th title. Six times Edwards has finished in the top five. He’ll be battling this year for his first title.
4) Ryan Newman In 2015 Newman was one of the series’ most consistent finishers. Not so in 2016 where he struggled to find speed all season. Newman finished a disappointing 18th in the standings last season after making the final four in 2015. Newman has failed to win a race since 2013 and hasn’t had a multiple win season since 2004. He may need to do both this season.
3) Clint Bowyer Clint’s 2016 season was one he’d like to forget. The likable Bowyer was hard pressed to be his happy go lucky self nearly every weekend driving for a low budget HScott Motorsports. Week in and week out Bowyer was subjected to driving a car not capable of competing for top 10 finishes let alone wins. All that changes for him in 2017. Bowyers move to Stewart Haas Racing raises expectations immediately. He’ll be under pressure to produce, maybe not at the Harvick, Kurt Busch level, his Stewart Haas teammates, but he’ll be expected to race up front.
2) Danica Patrick OK, I know she’s extremely popular and has a huge fan following but at some time wouldn’t you expect some sort of return on your investment? Like Bowyer, Patrick is with the well funded Stewart Haas Racing organization. Of course its unfair to expect results similar to teammates Harvick and Busch but finishes of 24th in points in both 2015 and 2016 should be unacceptable. With so many up and coming young drivers soon to arrive on the scene, sooner or later her ride will be at risk.
1) Kasey Kahne Out of all the drivers in NASCAR, Kahne’s 2016 season has to be at the top of most people’s disappointments of the season. Driving for the heavily funded Hendrick Racing Team, Kahne failed to lead any laps in 2016 and for the second consecutive season, failed to qualify for the Chase. Another season like last and he may just end up getting called into Mr. Hendrick’s office.
These are just five drivers of many who will be watched closely this season. Honorable mention goes out to Dale Earnhardt Jr. for his health, Chase Elliott for that elusive first visit to victory lane, Paul Menard and AJ Allmendinger need to pick up the pace. 2017 shapes up to have many story lines. These drivers most likely will be in the middle of some of those.
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