Changing of the Guard in the NASCAR Cup Series

Changing of the Guard in the NASCAR Cup Series



Over the past few seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, several of the top drivers have retired from full-time racing. Names such as Gordon, Earnhardt Jr., and Stewart have all left a void in the sport encompassing driving talent as well as fandom. Many of these retired stars have been replaced by a fresh crop of new, young drivers. With the recent youth movement prevalent in stock car racing, what does the future hold? 

Jeff Gordon Gives Way for Chase Elliott

The first driver to kick off this recent trend of retiring stars was Jeff Gordon back in 2015. After 23 years of racing at the highest level, Gordon would hand over the famed 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to Chase Elliott. Chase is the son of Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, and came into the Cup Series as a fan favorite. Chase also came in as a champion from the Xfinity Series, so his family's winning tradition appeared to be continuing onward.

 After his rookie year in 2016, it took the younger Elliott until his 99th start in 2018 to finally win a Cup Series race. Elliott's first career win came on August 5, 2018 on the road course at Watkins Glen. Chase would win 2 more times that season in the Playoffs. With the first win monkey off of his back, Chase Elliott is now poised as a perennial winner and championship contender. With the stardom of the new most popular driver, can Elliott win a championship like his father?

Past Title Rivals Retire After 2016

A year removed from Gordon's retirement, 2016 would be the final season for 2 other star drivers; Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards. Stewart and Edwards will forever be remembered for one of the greatest championship battles in NASCAR history back in 2011, where they tied for the title. The tiebreaker went to Stewart, his 3rd title in the Cup Series. 

Both of these driver's retirement announcements could not have been more different. Stewart announced his retirement back in September of 2015, well in advance of his final year. On the flip side, Edwards retired in January 2017, citing a fulfillment of his career accomplishments. 

Stewart's and Edwards' 2 replacement drivers could not have been more stark in comparison too. Stewart's 14 was inherited by veteran Clint Bowyer, while Edwards' 19 went to rookie Daniel Suarez. Bowyer took the 14 back to victory lane twice in 2018, while the 19 has yet to win again, now under the control of Martin Truex Jr.

Fan Favorites Retire Together in 2017

The 2017 NASCAR Cup Series season was the swan song for 2 of the most popular racers of this generation; Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt was coming back for one final year after missing the last half of 2016 due to concussion injuries. For Kenseth, Joe Gibbs Racing chose against renewing his contract, leaving a vacancy in the 20 Toyota. 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be replaced by the young racer Alex Bowman, with the Hendrick Motorsports 88 being the biggest opportunity of his career. Bowman has yet to win a Cup race, but he did make the 2018 Playoffs in the famed 88. 

Matt Kenseth would be suceeded by Erik Jones, a young driver who had a lot of hype behind him. After a rookie season in another Cup Series car, Jones switched over to the newly available 20. Jones would win at Daytona in July 2018 for his first career win, making the Playoffs that year as well. Jones is now a weekly contender for the win, as well as a future title player. The sky truly is the limit for Erik Jones, as he is a truly amazing driving talent. 

NASCAR's top level has undergone an identity change in recent years, the old guard of fan favorite veterans is slowly petering out, being replaced by young, fast kids. With a new breed of drivers will hopefully come a new generation of fans. 

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