NASCAR: 5 teams that could have different driver lineups in 2021
By Asher Fair
Several drivers at some of NASCAR’s top teams do not have contracts to compete in the 2021 Cup Series season. Which teams’ driver lineups could look different next year?
Among the top teams of the NASCAR Cup Series, there was not much driver movement from the 2019 season to the 2020 season. The only change at any of the big-name organizations was rookie Cole Custer being promoted from the Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series team to the Stewart-Haas Racing Cup Series team to replace Daniel Suarez.
However, things are far less certain about the 2021 driver lineup, as there are several drivers whose contracts only extend to the end of the 2020 season.
Ryan Blaney, who had been considered arguably the top pending free agent on the market, signed a three-year contract extension with Team Penske in early March. While he is staying put and this was expected, this was the mere tip of the iceberg that the 2021 Silly Season could be.
Alex Bowman also signed a one-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports in mid-May, and Brad Keselowski did the same with Team Penske in early August.
Even with Blaney, Bowman and Keselowski off the market, there are plenty of top-tier drivers who are slated to become free agents once the 2020 season ends, and there are plenty of potentially open rides within some of the sport’s top-tier teams.
Which teams’ driver lineups could look different in 2021 than they do now? Here are five high-profile teams that could be in line for at least one change.