Drivers Looking For Rides
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Posted by Jeremy Dunn Dec 28, 2007 |
The unemployment line in NASCAR is surprisingly higher than usual, and it could be attributed to the open wheel invasion. David Stremme is an example of a casualty due to the International craze. Stremme will split time with rookie Chase Austin in Rusty Wallace's Nationwide Series organization. However, there are several other drivers that are surprisingly without a full time ride in any of the three top series of NASCAR.
Stephen Leicht is the most surprising of all. He captured his first win in the Nationwide Series at Kentucky in June and was solid throughout the year. Yates Racing seems to be focusing on their Sprint Cup effort, therefore, Leicht and the 90 team are the odd men out.
What is surprising is that no other team has snatched up the 20 year old driver. Well, the trend of hiring the young 20 something has kind of faded while hiring an open wheel veteran has become the fashionable trend. The last rumor I heard regarding Leicht was that he may run some Nationwide races for Richard Childress Racing.
Former Roush Fenway Racing driver Todd Kluever is free to explore his options for 2008; however, I have yet to hear his name mentioned. Kluever was originally the reserved replacement for Mark Martin in the 6 car, but somehow David Ragan passed him on the depth chart. Still scratching my head over that one! Kluever may run some Nationwide races for Roush.
Danny O'Quinn is another Roush Fenway Racing development driver that was kicked to the curb. O'Quinn was the 2006 Busch Series Rookie of the Year; and was dumped right after receiving the award. O'Quinn did run some races for MacHill Motorsports.
Craftsman Truck Series veteran Brendan Gaughan is currently unemployed as is former Nationwide Series driver Ashton Lewis.