Should NASCAR hold an annual draft for upcoming drivers in the sport?
Why would we do this?
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? NASCAR drivers have been working their way up to the Cup Series just fine without having to get drafted since the beginning. That’s not what it’s about; this is about allowing for more balanced competition.
Top young drivers will never sign a development contract with teams like Front Row Motorsports or any other lesser-tier team.
The rich get richer when it comes to racing talent, just like every top NFL prospect would sign with the New England Patriots if they could.
Doing this allows for some teams that have to go year after year with the lesser talent behind the wheel to have a shot at a premier driver.
This means teams like Front Row Motorsports or Leavine Family Racing would have a shot at landing a talented driver over Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing.
While Furniture Row Racing has proven that it is possible to build an underdog team from the ground up with free agent signings and hard work, it doesn’t have to be a near-impossible task. Making it easier for smaller teams to grow will help NASCAR grow as well.
A draft would ensure that smaller teams trying to build would be given a fair opportunity to get talented drivers instead of scraping the bottom of the NASCAR talent barrel.