Beyond the Flag
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Should NASCAR hold an annual draft for upcoming drivers in the sport?

By Tyler Callaway

CONCORD, NC - NOVEMBER 07: The 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Class was announced to the media and those drivers are from left, Nick Sanchez, Ryan Vargas, Isabella Robusto, Chase Cabre, Erni Franis, Jr. and Ruben Garcia, Jr. on November 7, 2017 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Getty Images)
CONCORD, NC - NOVEMBER 07: The 2018 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Class was announced to the media and those drivers are from left, Nick Sanchez, Ryan Vargas, Isabella Robusto, Chase Cabre, Erni Franis, Jr. and Ruben Garcia, Jr. on November 7, 2017 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Bob Leverone/Getty Images) /
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 17: 2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine  (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 17: 2017 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine  (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR) /

Conclusion

When you have talented drivers like Todd Gilliland and Harrison Burton going to teams like Front Row Motorsports and Leavine Family Racing, you’ll start to see an influx of talent that teams like this aren’t used to.

This talent will equal out to results, which will make more money for the team and allow them to buy better equipment. In the long run, all teams will start to equal out as the talent level will become more evenly distributed.

Not to take a shot at drivers like David Ragan, Michael McDowell, or A.J. Allmendinger, but they’ve had many years to succeed in NASCAR and have been unable to break through their ceilings.

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But mid-pack drivers like this remain in high regard with lesser teams because they are all these teams can get their hands on. A draft would allow for a much easier transition of talent in and out of NASCAR’s top division.

While some drivers may desire the freedom of choice that comes from being an open free agent and being able to sign with anyone they desire, I think a lot can be said for those who may never get a chance.

NASCAR is one of the hardest professional sports to ever break into because getting your name out there is near impossible. If there was a draft in place where you could send in your resume as a driver, it could make weeding out talent across America easier. After all, anyone is eligible to sign up for the draft.

Some may not get drafted, but it would allow them to get their names whispered around Cup team offices and perhaps lead to other opportunities.

It would take some tinkering to fix all the bugs, but I believe this is a great idea that leads to other fun concepts such as driver trades.

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It could also be a lucrative deal for NASCAR, much like how the NFL and NBA drafts are two successful and sought after events on the TV market that earn money for ESPN. Fox Sports could do the same thing for a NASCAR draft.

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