Phoenix and Homestead Will Have to Be Statement Races For Many Drivers

With a rain delay on our plate this weekend in Phoenix it leaves many drivers in the mindset of not only thinking about the end of 2015 but thinking of where they will wind up in 2016. Drivers like David Ragan, Sam Hornish Jr., along with Regan Smith will be looking to show their worth and show that they deserve to have a ride.
Trust me out of this list I think David Ragan is the biggest surprise of not having a full tine ride. David began the season driving for Front Row Motorsports just as he has done in the past few years. Kyle Busch was injured at Daytona in an Xfinity Race in February. David Ragan would fill in for Kyle until Talladega where the week after where Erik Jones filled in and then Kyle Busch came back at the All Star Race. When David left Joe Gibbs Racing his Cup ride at Front Row Motorsports was filled in by Brett Moffitt who would continue. David would end up at Michael Waltrip Racing driving for Brian Vickers who due to Blood Clots ended up missing the remainder of 2015. David will stay at MWR until the end of the season when MWR ceases its operations. David certainly has tallent and can win he just needs someone to give him a chance.
With Front Row Motorsports down sizing from 3 to 2 teams one driver will be gone from the Front Row crew and with David Gilliland and Cole Whitt having sponsor backing I see Brett Moffitt being the odd man out, but could see him moving to the #9 car for Richard Petty Motorsports. Brett was a developmental driver for Michael Waltrip Racing but as I stated earlier after 2015 MWR will not field a car full time.  Honestly with Front Row Motorsports getting down to a two car team again look for them to get as good as they once were.
Sam Hornish Jr. is another driver left ride less going into 2016 after Richard Petty said that he didn't see Sam return to the #9 Ford in 2016. That leaves Sam in a bad place after getting his first full time ride since 2013 for Team Penske. Where could Sam end up? Well numerous options in the lower series could be available but thats not the same as in the Cup Series as many drivers 2016's could be in question. Sam only had 3 Top 10's and 0 Top 5's in a car that last season had 3 Top 5's and 7 Top 10's with Marcos Ambrose. Sponsorship has also been

a toughie for the #9 Car this season.
Former Jr Motorsports driver Regan Smith is also looking for a home. Regan has filled in for drivers like Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson this season and is currently as we hear the leading candidate to fill in the #9 car with a recommendation from his former boss Dale Earnhardt Jr.
These drivers will certainly be looking to prove them selves over the next 2 weeks and look for them to be in the Top 10's even Top 5's and look for Regan to compete for the Xfinity Series Championship come next weekend! (Koelle, 2015)