NASCAR Cup Series: Best substitute drivers of the 2010s

NASCAR: Best substitute drivers of the 2010s

DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: David Ragan, driver of the #38 Shriners Hospital for Children Ford, climbs into his car during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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David Ragan, Joe Gibbs Racing, NASCAR (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

David Ragan

David Ragan returned to Front Row Motorsports for another full season with his own ride in 2015. After finishing in 17th place at Daytona International Speedway, he received an opportunity to upgrade his ride, but it was in a substitute capacity.

Ragan took over the #18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in place of an injured Kyle Busch for the second race of the season, at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and he continued driving that car for nine straight events.

Ragan’s best finish aboard the #18 Toyota was a fifth place finish at Martinsville Speedway. He finished in 38th in his last race at Talladega Superspeedway before answering the call to substitute elsewhere while Erik Jones drove the #18 Toyota at Kansas Speedway. Busch then returned to action at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

With Jones now behind the wheel of the #18 Toyota, Ragan moved to the #55 Toyota at Michael Waltrip Racing as the next driver to replace Brian Vickers, who was sidelined by the return of blood clots.

Ragan spent the remainder of the season behind the wheel of the #55 Toyota, bringing home three top 15 finishes. He finished in 13th place at Dover International Speedway, 12th at Daytona International Speedway and 15th at Chicagoland Speedway.

As a substitute driver, his average finish was 24.9. He returned to a full-time ride of his own the following year at BK Racing.

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