Several changes have been made to the NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup from the 2018 season to the 2019 season. Which full-time drivers from 2018 will not be returning in 2019?
A total of 30 drivers competed full-time in the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, although only 29 of them competed in each of the 36 races on the schedule.
The one driver who did not compete in all 36 of these races was Leavine Family Racing’s Kasey Kahne, who competed in the season’s first 25 races but sat out of the final 11 with health concerns that worsened following the season’s 25th race at Darlington Raceway.
Of the 30 drivers who competed full-time in the 2018 season, 27 are set to compete full-time in the 2019 season, although five of these 27 are set to do so driving for different teams than the teams for which they drove in the 2018 season.
Here is a list of the three drivers who competed full-time in the 2018 season but are not set to do so in the 2019 season, in alphabetical order.
A.J. Allmendinger
The 2018 season was A.J. Allmendinger’s 13th overall season and ninth full season competing in the Cup Series, and it was his sixth overall season and fifth full season driving for JTG Daugherty Racing. After he failed to both earn a victory and qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, he is set to be replaced by rookie Ryan Preece behind the wheel of the #47 Chevrolet for the 2019 season.
Kasey Kahne
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As stated above, health concerns sidelined Kasey Kahne for the final 11 races of the 2018 season, which was his 15th season competing in the Cup Series and his first season driving the #95 Leavine Family Racing Chevrolet. Regan Smith served as his replacement in these 11 races.
As a result of these health concerns, Kahne announced his retirement before the season officially ended. Matt DiBenedetto is set to replace him behind the wheel of the #95 Chevrolet-turned-Toyota for the 2019 season, as Leavine Family Racing gave up their technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing for a new one with Joe Gibbs Racing and switched their manufacturer from Chevrolet to Toyota as a result of it.
Jamie McMurray
The 2018 season was Jamie McMurray’s 17th overall season and 16th full season competing in the Cup Series, and it was his 13th season and 12th full season driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. He failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since he failed to do so in the 2014 season.
Following his 20th place finish in the championship standings, which was his lowest finish since he finished in 21st in the 2012 season, McMurray is set to be replaced by Kurt Busch behind the wheel of the #1 Chevrolet in the 2019 season.
On a side note…
Trevor Bayne and Matt Kenseth combined to drive the #6 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in all 36 races throughout the 2018 season. However, neither Bayne nor Kenseth is set to return to the Cup Series in the 2019 season. The 2018 season was Bayne’s ninth season competing in the Cup Series on some level while it was Kenseth’s 21st.
Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida is set to play host to the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season opener, the 61st annual Daytona 500. The 36-race season is scheduled to get underway with this race on Sunday, February 17. Be sure to tune in to this race and all 35 of the other races on this year’s schedule, which you can see here, as well.