NASCAR Cup Series: 4 possible landing spots for Kurt Busch in 2019
By Asher Fair
Chip Ganassi Racing
As stated on the previous slide, a rumor that Kurt Busch will be leaving Stewart-Haas Racing following the conclusion of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season began to circulate last month.
This rumor also includes the idea that Busch will sign with Chip Ganassi Racing as the replacement driver for Jamie McMurray behind the wheel of the #1 Chevrolet.
McMurray has struggled in recent seasons, as he has not won a race since the 2013 season, but this season has been his worst in more than a half-decade. For the first time since the 2014 season, he failed to qualify for the playoffs.
He sits in 21st place in the championship standings with just one top five finish, which is a third place finish in the April race at Texas Motor Speedway, and just five other top 10 finishes through the season’s first 26 races.
McMurray did not initially comment about Busch potentially replacing him and Busch stated that nothing had been signed as far as a new contract goes, but it has since been confirmed that McMurray will not return to Chip Ganassi Racing next year. If this move does take place, it would make sense for Chip Ganassi Racing given the fact that Busch continues to perform at a high level.
While Busch currently drives for the top team, a Ford team, in the Cup Series, this move might benefit him as well. There is no doubt that the Chevrolet teams have been improving over the first season using the new Camaro ZL1 as opposed to the old SS, and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Kyle Larson has been the fastest Chevrolet driver of the season as a whole.
While Chevrolet drivers have just two victories so far this season and Larson himself hasn’t earned either of them, he could easily have five or six wins heading into the playoffs.
The 2019 season should feature far more victories for Chevrolet drivers than this season, and with Ford teams set to use the new Mustang as opposed to the old Fusion, they may experience the “growing pains” that Chevrolet experienced this year, which could make a move to Chip Ganassi Racing even more attractive for Busch.
But if the rumor about Busch signing with Chip Ganassi Racing as McMurray’s replacement isn’t true, what will that mean as far as his future goes?