David Ragan Replaces Mark Martin

Posted by Jeremy Dunn Oct 11, 2006

David Ragan was officially named as Mark Martin's replacement in the faned #6 Roush Racing Ford on Wednesday following weeks of speculation as to which of Roush's development driver were most ready to the colossal leap to NASCAR Nextel Cup competition.

And Roush chose the one who is arguably the least ready. David Ragan has split time with Mark Martin in the Craftsman Truck Series, and has filled in for Danny O'Quinn on several occasions in the Busch Series. Ragan has qualified for one Nextel Cup race, and was no more impressive than Todd Kluever in his handful of Cup starts.

Kluever is easily the most experience of the young Roushketeers as he has a full season of Craftsman Truck Series under his belt, and almost a full Busch Series season, and he was originally Roush's chosen one to take over the reigns of the famous #6 in the post-Martin era.

Kluever has struggled mightily in the Busch Series this season, and has yet to show any vast improvement, and Roush obviously lost his confidence in the young man. Kluever is 10th best among non-Nextel Cup regulars in the Busch Series standings.

Danny O'Quinn has displayed flashes of potential in the Busch Series, and typically qualifies well, but he is no more ready for the Nextel Cup series than Juan Pablo Montoya.

Erik Darnell has yet to really stand out in the Craftsman Truck Series as he sits 14th in the championship standings.

So did Jack Roush just pick Ragan's name out of one of his trademarked hats? Considering that none of these drivers appear ready for NASCAR Nextel Cup, that may have been the case.

And as Jamie McMurray has proven, you just cannot climb into a Roush Racing prepared car and expect to contend for wins.