Is David Ragan a candidate to sub for Kyle Busch?
Joe Gibbs Racing could be looking to an established Sprint Cup Series driver to fill in for Kyle Busch.
According to both NBC Sports and the Charlotte Observer, David Ragan is a possibility to drive the No. 18 in Busch’s absence. Ragan currently drives for Front Row Motorsports in the No. 34 car.
From NBC:
JGR is considering a plan that would share the ride between Ragan and Camping World Truck Series driver Erik Jones, who is under contract to the team, while Busch recovers from his injury. There is no timetable on the return for Busch, who spent a third consecutive night in a Daytona Beach, Fla., hospital after being hurt in a Saturday crash during the Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
Jones, 18, has a developmental contract with JGR but has never driven in a Sprint Cup Series race and has four Xfinity Series starts, including Saturday’s race (Coincidentally, contact between Busch and Jones is what started the crash that Busch sustained a broken leg and foot in). He won three Truck Series races in 12 starts last season.
If Busch’s injury would have happened last year, JGR would have no shortage of in-house replacements for him. Elliott Sadler drove for the team in the Xfinity Series last year and so did Darrell Wallace Jr. However, now both are at Roush Fenway Racing. According to NBC, Sadler was a candidate to replace Busch in the 500 (with Ford’s approval) until Matt Crafton was selected to drive the car.
Busch was transported to North Carolina on Tuesday.
Off to NC! Thank u to everyone at Halifax for taking such good care of Kyle n to all of U for the continued prayers! pic.twitter.com/7SXHHb4UWl
— Samantha Busch (@SamanthaBusch) February 24, 2015
Ragan’s contract status with Ford and Front Row would obviously have to be figured out for a move to Gibbs to happen. Ragan has been with Ford since he moved to the Cup Series and has been with Front Row since he left Roush after the 2011 season.
Though he won at Talladega in 2013, Ragan has been a backmarker in his time at Front Row. His highest finish in the points standings is 28th and he has five top-10 finishes in three seasons and Sunday’s Daytona 500.
While Ragan may be giving up a full-time ride (unless an arrangement could be worked out), he may view the shot in top-tier equipment as too good to pass up. At 29, it’s not too late for Ragan to get a ride with an upper level team again.
– – – – – – –
Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
