There are still several potential seats available on the grid for the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season. Which drivers have not yet signed contracts?
With seven races remaining on the 36-race 2018 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, not all of the sport’s teams have secured their driver lineups for the 2019 season.
While this will likely change in the near future, let’s take a look at the drivers who are currently competing full-time in the Cup Series but have not yet signed contracts to continue competing next season.
Here are the open seats for next season and the career situations of the drivers who are currently occupying those seats.
NOTE: Only teams that currently have a full-time driver or full-time drivers are discussed.
Chevrolet team
Chip Ganassi Racing
- Jamie McMurray is currently in his 17th season and 16th full season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as his 13th season and 12th full season driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. He will not return to the team in the 2019 season.
Ford teams
Front Row Motorsports
- Michael McDowell is currently in his 11th season and seventh full season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as his second season and first full season driving for Front Row Motorsports.
- David Ragan is currently in his 13th season and 12th full season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as his sixth season and fifth full season driving for Front Row Motorsports.
Go Fas Racing
is currently in his fourth season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as his second season driving for Go Fas Racing. He will not return to the team in the 2019 season.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
Stewart-Haas Racing
- Kurt Busch is currently in his 19th season and 18th full season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as his fifth season driving for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Toyota teams
Furniture Row Racing
- Martin Truex Jr. is currently in his 15th season and 13th full season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as his fifth season driving for Furniture Row Racing. Furniture Row Racing are set to shut down after the 2018 season reaches its conclusion.
Joe Gibbs Racing
- Daniel Suarez is currently in his second season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series, and he has only ever driven for Joe Gibbs Racing.
TBD manufacturer team
Leavine Family Racing
- Kasey Kahne is currently in his 15th season driving in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as his first season driving for Leavine Family Racing. He is set to retire at the end of the 2018 season. Leavine Family Racing’s manufacturer situation is unknown for next year.
Which drivers will end up signing to drive for which teams in the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season? With the end of the 2018 season and thus the start of the 2019 season rapidly approaching, we should know the answer to this question in the near future.