NASCAR: 5 drivers who could sign with Chip Ganassi Racing for 2019
By Asher Fair
Kurt Busch
When it was rumored last month that Jamie McMurray would not be returning to Chip Ganassi Racing as the driver of the #1 Chevrolet next season, Kurt Busch was rumored to be his replacement.
Busch currently drives full-time for Stewart-Haas Racing, the team for which he has driven in each of the last five seasons. He has driven full-time in the Cup Series since the start of the 2001 season and has missed just seven races since his full-time career in the sport began.
However, these rumors were not confirmed at the time, and they have still not yet been confirmed even though it has been confirmed that McMurray will not return to Chip Ganassi Racing as Kyle Larson’s teammate in the 2019 season.
With the success that Busch has had this season, it would not be surprising to see him stick around at Stewart-Haas Racing for at least another season. That said, he is 40 years old, and Stewart-Haas Racing are by no means a young team as it is. They may opt to take part in the youth movement by hiring either their Xfinity Series driver, Cole Custer, or Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series driver Christopher Bell.
If Busch does not return to Stewart-Haas Racing next year, Chip Ganassi Racing would be a great option for him and he would be a great option for them. While they wouldn’t necessarily be making their driver lineup any younger, they would be signing a veteran who is still performing at a high level, unlike McMurray.
While Chevrolet teams have struggled this season, they should be able to perform at a high level next year in what is set to be their second season using the new Camaro ZL1, so Busch would likely still be able to perform at a high level.
But if Busch does not sign with Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2019 season, which other drivers might?