The Next 16 - Driver Review and Rating Runner Up Editon

Aric Almirola

Aric just barely missed the Chase this season and even almost won at Richmond in September. Aric was the leading charge at Richard Petty Motorsports and when you think about it Aric is really the only driver who has been with Richard Petty for a long period of time other than Marcos Ambrose. Aric could land RPM in the chase and who knows who will Join Aric at RPM after Sam Hornish Jr. and RPM announced they would be going seperate ways. Regan Smith and David Ragan are the leading names.

Season Rating - B

Kasey Kahne

The Other Hendrick Motorsports driver had a very uneventful 2015 on the Track. He was the only Hendrick driver to not record a win in 2015 and he only made it in the Top 5 3 times in 2015 which is a moderate number but considering what his teammates did in 2015 it was not a good year. If I was Kasey at the end of my contract at Hendrick Motorsports I would be exploring my options. 

Season Rating - C-

Kyle Larson

Another sucessful season for Kyle Larson. The 2014 Sunnoco Rookie Of The Year had an impressive season almost winning numerous times including at the Season ending Race at Homestead. Kyle began 2015 by winning the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan from Indy Car and NASCAR Teammate Jamie McMurray. 

Season Rating - B

Greg Biffle

Roush Fenway Racing had a roller coaster year in 2015 with Team Veteran Greg Biffle led the way but that was not good enough. It was the first year since the Chase Format was brought in in 2004 that a Roush Fenway Racing Driver did not make the chase. Greg had good cars and almost won at Charlotte and New Hampshire. At New Hampshire an error on both drivers end put Brad Keselowski out of contention for the win. Greg will look for a stellar 2016 but bugs may infest him as Ortho announced that after one year they would depart from Greg Biffle. 

Season Rating - C

Austin Dillon

Yes that car flying through the air is the #3 driven by Austin Dillon. Many thought Austin was badly injured or even worse but luckily Austin got out of the car and waved to the fans. That was the bad highlight of the 2015 season but Austin had many good things to over look this bad crash at Daytona in July. 1 top 5 and 5 top 10's up from 2014. Austin was seen a ton on TV this season and that was for good reasons and bad. Look for the #3 Car to return to Victory Lane next season with Austin behind the wheel!

Season Rating - B-

AJ Allmendinger

AJ announced earlier this season that he would be returning to JTG Daugherty Racing for many years to come and do you blame him? AJ's biggest issue this season was putting to much pressure on himself and many electrical problems. AJ is a great driver and maybe with more and more support from his fans and sponsors he will get better! I mean who really wants to turn down joining Dinger Nation?

Season Rating - C+

Casey Mears

With support from Geico how can this man do anything wrong? I mean his back up is a Gecko as a Back Up driver who wants to mess with Casey Mears? Casey has had a good season and evidently it was good enough for Casey to have a new long term contract with Geico and Germain Racing. This is one of those teams that continues to impress year in and out with great finishes and an even greater driver.

Season Rating - C

Danica Patrick

The next NASCAR's Most Popular Driver? It's a high possibility and with that she could gain more fans and more sponsors eyes which in our sport would be a very good thing. Danica has had a successful season despite all of the hate she gets from certain fans she has more people who like her than people who don't. Danica had a couple great finishes even being in contention for a win at Kansas. I feel her first win is just around the horizon!

Season Rating - B-

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr must enjoy the cold weather because at majority of the tracks he was good at it was cold. Like a 4th at a cold and wet Bristol, 8th at a cold and wet Dover among others. Stenhouse really only had a winning performance at Bristol and Kentucky. Ricky like Girlfriend Danica Patrick have had a very good year but has room for improvement.

Season Rating - C+

Sam Hornish Jr.

In his first and only season at Richard Petty Motorsports something was lacking. Never having a full time primary with different colors each week it got hard for people to find Sam Hornish Jr in the field. A noteable moment for Sam was at Auto Club when his spotter said that he was clear and he went up and clipped a car and hit the wall. Sam's sponsor at the time took full responsabillity.

Season Rating - D-

David Ragan

The Filler. David Ragan drove for 3 different teams in 2015. Front Row Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Michael Waltrip Racing. David did very well in 2015 despite not having a solid ride until after Talladega. David is one of the drivers whose 2016 plans are very uncertain. Many talks of him heading to Richard Petty Motorsports in either the Xfinity Series or Cup Series. I predict Ryan Truex will get the newly open #43 in the Xfinity Series so look for it to be either Regan Smith or David Ragan in the #9 next season.

Season Rating - B+

Trevor Bayne

In his first full season in a cup ride for Roush Fenway Racing Trevor did the best he could with what he was in. Trevor had many wrecks and will certainly look for 2016 to be better. Roush Fenway Racing as a whole will look to get better next season and will hopefully land one of their cars in the chase if not all 3! Chris Buescher could come up to the cup series in 2016 but I see him staying in the Xfinity Series for another year or two.

Season Rating - D+

Tony Stewart

Tony completed his first full time season since 2012 this season but not on good terms. Having bad finishes after bad finishes Smoke had seemed to lose his fire and well I think that is why Tony Stewart will be retiring at the end of 2016. It's sad to see but everyone retires sooner or later. Look for smoke's retirement year to be just as special as the previous 17 if not more special. One win is elusive for Smoke and that is the Daytona 500. Will Smoke be the first to lock his spot in the chase come 2016?

Season Rating - E+

Justin Allgaier

Justin Allgaier's season was a good one for this underfunded team. This ended up being Justin's final year at HScott Motorsports  as he will be heading to JR Motorsports to compete full time in the Xfinity Series with backing from Brandt. JR Motorsports also previously announced Elliott Sadler would drive a second full-time entry for the team in 2016. Chase Elliott currently drives the No. 9 that Sadler will fill once Elliott moves to the Cup season next year.

Season Rating - C-

Cole Whitt

In his first full season with Front Row Motorsports Cole Whitt became just really another Field Filler. Most races had FRM just make it on owner points which showed something was wrong with Front Row Motorsports this season and I dont know if it was a technical issue or what but talks are having Front Row move to Chevrolet, that is strictly a rumor. We do know that FRM will down grade from 3 to 2 cars in 2016 but the question sits of who will be on the chopping block? 

Season Rating - E-

David Gilliland

Another disappointing season for David Gilliland that saw his best start be thrown away by an early crash at Daytona. I honestly don't think Gilliland will be cut though if he does he will have Loves Truck Stops with him. Front Row is lacking something and it's certainly not a veteran. Expect Gilliland to stay in the #38 at Front Row Motorsports in 2016.

Season Rating - E-