The Top-5 Free Agents Still on The Market

With the season approaching faster and faster the open rides are starting to be filled and things could get very interesting with the remaining especially with the lack of rides remaining and the amount of drivers left. It's going to come down to the fact that musical chairs will come to an end and a list of drivers left standing. We here at The Motorsports News Source have compiled a list of the best remaining drivers left playing musical chairs and a prediction of where they will land in the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Drivers like Matt DiBenedetto, David Ragan, and Landon Cassill are the most recent drivers to secure their spots for 2017 and that left three less rides on the table. Here is our Top-5 Free Agents.

1. Greg Biffle

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In my opinion Greg Biffle is the best driver of the remaining free agents. Biffle has 19 career victories, 92 Top-5 Finishes, 175 Top-10 Finishes, and 13 career poles. his best points finish came in 2005 when he finished second to Tony Stewart. Biffle had been with Roush Fenway Racing his whole career but both parties decided it would be best to split paths following a dismal 2016 that had Biffle gaining his worst points finish in his career in the top level. Biffle has really been really promoting the #69 which doesn't make much since being as there isn't a #69 in NASCAR but could one be forming in the future. Biffle said he wanted to go somewhere competitive or he would retire which looking at his options left, Retirement doesn't sound to bad. 

2017 Prediction - Retires or Moves Down to NXS or NCWTS

2. Regan Smith

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Regan Smith lost his ride after Tommy Baldwin Racing sold his charter to Leavine Family Racing and well he hasn't been one that's been discussed of going anywhere because the rides in the Cup Series that remain need sponsorship which if Fire Alarm Services follows him would be a very big asset to a team. The question also remains on if JR Motorsports will cease opperations in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series or if they could run him part time in the #88 with Kasey Kahne, Alex Bowman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Josh Berry, etc. Things could get interesting for Regan Smith who has one career victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Darlington. His future is in question but honestly he has the talent to continue. 

2017 Prediction - Part time in JR Motorsports #88 or JR Motorsports NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Truck

3. Casey Mears

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Casey Mears is getting the short end of the stick from Germain Racing following the very unpopular move by the team to replace Casey with Ty Dillon. Mears was supposed to drive the #13 again next season but that ended up not being the case and now Mears not only sits ride less but sponsor less for the 2017 Season and that could change but I don't see it being a big shot like many fans want to see. BK Racing and The Motorsports Group are the only two teams who have really haven't revealed who will drive for them in 2017 and I think Casey will end up in one of those two rides and could bring the talent needed to put these cars in the Top-20 every weekend and could compete for the victory at tracks like Talladega, Daytona, Bristol, and Martinsville where the underfunded teams have seemed to be on top of their games. 

2017 Prediction - Part Time in the #23 for BK Racing 

4. Jeffrey Earnhardt 

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Jeffrey Earnhardt has really made a name for himself in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series the last two years and I think his breakout season is just around the corner. Maybe not next season but it's soon and I could see an Earnhardt dominating in the Xfinity Series or Truck Series if Earnhardt can't gain a ride in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Earnhardt will not return to Go Fas Racing in 2017 with Matt DiBenedetto piloting that car. Earnhardt made some starts with BK Racing in 2016 and I could see that in 2017 if Starter continues with Jeffrey Earnhardt. It could be interesting by the end of the off season but I don't see him being the one left standing when the music stops.

2017 Prediction - #83 for BK Racing

5. Gray Gaulding

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Gray Gaulding is the one who is making it all sorts of interesting and entertaining. Gaulding made his Cup Debut at Martinsville and raced again at Phoenix but Gaulding DNQ'ed at Homestead. Apparently Gaulding will race a full schedule in the Cup Series in 2017 but no one knows officially where he'll land. I personally don't know where Gaulding will land in 2017 and I am really looking forward to seeing where he will race at. With the lack of experience I really hope to see Gaulding back in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series or NASCAR Xfinity Series full time in 2017 but with the lack of rides left available that might be his only option. 

2017 Prediction - Part Time in BK Racing's #23 or Move Down to Xfinity Series or Camping World Truck Series