Sep 21, 2014; Loudon, NH, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Clint Bowyer (15) , Kyle Larson (42) , Aric Almirola (43) , Austin Dillon (3) and Marcos Ambrose (9) race into turn two during the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The sport of NASCAR is constantly growing and a few drivers will gain some extra attention with their performances in 2016.
NASCAR is all about beginnings and endings. Whether it’s a driver’s first race in the Sprint Cup Series or their last, there is always something special every weekend.
More from NASCAR
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Will Kevin Harvick’s major record ever be broken?
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
Recently, we saw a legendary driver in Jeff Gordon compete in his last race. However, as sad as it was to watch him walk away, we can be excited knowing that a few more drivers will improve in 2016 and attract some new fans.
In the past decade, we have seen many drivers like Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski make a name for themselves with all of their wins and bold moves. Though not all drivers are guaranteed to have as much success as them, it is normal to see a few individuals improve their average finish in order to become real contenders in more and more races.
With that being said, let’s talk a look at a few drivers who are ready to improve in 2016.
Next: Austin Dillon Has Grown At A Steady Pace
May 15, 2015; Concord, NC, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) races during the Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Austin Dillon
2015 Season:
- Laps led: 39
- Top-5’s: 1
- Top-10’s: 5
- Average finish: 21.0
Austin Dillon knew he would be filling big shoes when he took over the No. 3 car in 2014, the first time it had been used since Dale Earnhardt’s last race. Dillon is the grandson of Richard Childress, who owns the number, which is why he was given the opportunity to race in it.
More from NASCAR
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Will Kevin Harvick’s major record ever be broken?
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
At the time, he was only 23 years old and was fresh off of a Nationwide Series Championship. He knew the odds would be stacked against him but that didn’t stop him from proving himself early. His average finish was 17.5 in 2014 and that proved that he would become a regular competitor in the sport.
In 2015, he only had one more top-10 but the difference was how he raced. He looked a lot better than he did in 2014 and competed in the top-10 more often than before. His best race of the season was at Michigan in August when he started 4th and finished 4th while leading 19 laps in the process.
He is fortunate to get to learn from teammate Ryan Newman, who seems to consistently make the Chase, and as Dillon continues to grow older and learn new things, he will get better and better. I believe we will see a lot more top-5’s and top-10’s in 2016.
Next: Kyle Larson Is On The Cusp Of A Win
Jun 13, 2015; Brooklyn, MI, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (42) during practice of the Quicken Loans 400. at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Larson
2015 Season:
- Laps Led: 115
- Top-5’s: 2
- Top-10’s: 10
- Average finish: 19.3
Kyle Larson was another driver who started racing in the Sprint Cup Series full-time last year. He became the second member of Chip Ganassi Racing, joining Jamie McMurray.
Larson set the bar high in 2014 with 8 top-5’s, 17 top-10’s and 1 pole. He was named NASCAR’s Rookie of the Year and looked like he would have a fast start in the sport. However, he slowed down a little in 2015 and did not have as many great finishes.
Larson got close to getting his first win on a few occasions last season. He led at Michigan in June before having to pit just a few laps before rain hit the track and ultimately ended the race. Then, in the last race of the season at Homestead, Larson had moved to second and was running down Brad Keselowski before a caution came out, in which Championship contenders Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick took over.
Though that first win hasn’t come yet, Larson has shown that he has the skills to make it happen and in 2016, we should see him finally make it to Victory Lane.
Next: Chase Elliott Has A Great Team Around Him
Jul 26, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (25) during the Crown Royal 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Chase Elliott
2015 Season (5 Sprint Cup Races):
- Laps led: 0
- Top-5’s: 0
- Top-10’s: 0
- Average finish: 26.2
Chase Elliott will compete in his first full season in the Sprint Cup Series in 2016 at the young age of only 20 years old. He was announced as Jeff Gordon’s replacement in the No. 24 car back before the 2015 season started and that allowed him to be able to race in five races this season.
In his first at Martinsville and last at Darlington, he was involved in wrecks but in his other three races (Richmond, Charlotte, Indianapolis), he finished 16th and 18th (twice), with some time running in the top-10 at Indy. That’s a pretty big accomplishment considering the fact that he was using the No. 25 car and a makeshift crew in those races.
More from Beyond the Flag
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Will Kevin Harvick’s major record ever be broken?
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- Formula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
Though he will be a rookie next year, he is set for a nice start because of what he has around him. With teammates like Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who owned his No. 9 car in the Xfinity Series, Elliott will have all the help he needs and more to succeed. Also, Jeff Gordon will be able to give him advice every now and then since he will still be around Hendrick Motorsports.
The term “breakout” has a slightly different meaning for Chase Elliott. Even though he is a good driver and former Jeff Gordon fans will be expecting a lot, Elliott will be doing great if he manages to pick up a few top-5’s and top-10’s, while consistently proving that he is ready for the promotion.
With the resources and people on his team, he should be able to do that and more and you could see him compete for the win a few times in 2016.
Next: Ryan Blaney Has A Full-Time Ride
Mar 6, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Sprint Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (21) during qualifying for the Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Blaney
2015 Season (16 Sprint Cup Races):
- Laps led: 5
- Top-5’s: 1
- Top-10’s: 2
- Average finish: 25.3
Ryan Blaney is in for a great season in 2016. Just recently, it was announced that Wood Brothers would be returning to a full 36-race schedule in the Sprint Cup Series with Blaney as their driver, meaning that the famous No. 21 car would be back on the track full-time.
He was a pleasant surprise in 2015 and had a few really good races, including his most impressive being at Talladega in May when he managed to avoid a wreck and finished 4th. Even though he wasn’t that lucky there in October, his car looked great and he showed strength at restrictor plate tracks.
Blaney has the opportunity to perform under the radar next season. With many eyes watching the other young stars previously mentioned, he will be able to focus on building his career and getting Wood Brothers back in the discussion again.
Next: Martin Truex Jr. Has Momentum
Nov 22, 2015; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Martin Truex Jr.
2015 Season:
- Laps led: 567
- Top-5’s: 8 (1 win)
- Top-10’s: 22
- Average finish: 12.2
You could argue that Martin Truex Jr. had his breakout season in 2015, but I believe that was just the beginning. He can and will get better even though he is in a different situation at the age of 35.
As the lone member of Furniture Row Racing, Truex came into 2015 with only 2 wins in the Sprint Cup Series. A few races into the season, it was obvious that there was something different about him and his team. They had recorded 7-straight top-10 finishes and Truex was finding ways to lead laps.
Then just a few races later, he hit the peak stretch of his season. Leading a total of 454 laps in just 4 weeks (Kansas, Charlotte, Dover, Pocono), he finished 9th, 5th, 6th and 1st respectively, and earned his first win since 2013 at Sonoma. He continued his great season by running through the Chase and making it to the Championship race at Homestead before finishing 12th after an inconsistent day.
Next: Three Reason HMS Will Win A Title In 2016
2015 was the start of something great for Truex. He proved that a one-car team can thrive and showed that he was not done yet. Next year, he will be in the thick of things yet again and should be in position to pick up multiple wins. Momentum is on his side and 2016 could show us the best Martin Truex Jr. we have ever seen.