NASCAR: Drivers Jeff Gordon Fans Should Root For In 2016

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

A Young Driver Not Named Elliott

For some Gordon fans rooting for Chase Elliott in 2016 is not in the cards. There is a portion of Gordon Nation that still strongly is opposed to Elliott running the No. 24 in 2016. This pocket of Gordon fans believed that the No. 24 should have been put on the shelf for a bit out of respect to Gordon and as a result they will not be supporting Elliott.

If you’re in this boat there are still plenty of your drivers out there that you could lend your support to in 2016.

• Kyle Larson – Larson runs a Chevy which is important to some Gordon fans. Larson was also a huge Gordon fan himself growing up so there is always that as well. Top it off with the fact that he is immensely talented despite not winning a race and that creates the perfect opportunity to become a supporter. No Larson fan is going to accuse you of ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ seeing as how Larson hasn’t truly accomplished anything as of yet.
• Ryan Blaney – Blaney is another young driver in NASCAR with a ton of talent. 2016 will be his first full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and he will be driving for the Wood Brothers in the No. 21 machine. Blaney is an excellent young driver (not named Elliott or driving the No. 24 machine) that Gordon fans could easily throw their support behind.
• Chris Buescher – If Larson and Blaney aren’t your cup of tea maybe Buescher will be. Buescher is coming off of winning the Xfinity Series title and will run his first full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2016. Again, if it’s a young and talented driver not named Elliott that Gordon fans are looking for; Buescher could easily be that guy.

As far as other rookies go in 2016? There is always Jeffrey Earnhardt or Brian Scott but the two rookies above and Larson are far better choices and fits for Gordon fans.

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