Ricky Stenhouse Jr is now in the Sprint Unlimited
Ricky Stenhouse Jr is now qualified to run the Sprint Unlimited. Tony Stewart will be out of the No. 14 car for an undisclosed amount of time in 2016.
Tony Stewart fractured his back last weekend in an ATV accident. Just weeks ahead of the start of his final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, now he will unfortunately be sidelined for the start.
No fill in driver has been announced as of yet. However, there are a few big names you can cross off the list. Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Jeff Burton have all stated they would not fill in. Jeff Gordon said he would if he didn’t have his new gig in the Fox Sports Booth. Mark Martin and Jeff Burton both say “I dont drive racecars anymore”
Ricky Stenhouse Jr will be taking his spot in the debut race. He’s not filling in for him, his entire team has replaced the spot of the No. 14.
Casey Mears is another driver starting the 2016 Sprint Unlimited who otherwise wouldn’t be eligible. Mears landed a spot in the Daytona race because Jeff Gordon won’t compete post retirement.
If an eligible driver does not enter the race, the open position is filled based on 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver points.
Following is the list of drivers granted 2016 Sprint Unlimited entry:
2015 Coors Light Pole Awards winners — AJ Allmendinger, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano
Former Sprint Unlimited Race Winners — Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Former Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Award winners — Greg Biffle, Austin Dillon, David Gilliland, Danica Patrick, Martin Truex Jr.
2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers — Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, Ryan Newman
2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship driver points — Aric Almirola, Kyle Larson, Casey Mears, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
