For some drivers, the 2016 Sprint Cup Series didn’t go well. Check out five drivers who need to bounce back during the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
At the end of this week, the 2017 NASCAR slate of events unofficially kicks off with the Advance Auto Parts Clash. The Clash takes place on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8:00 p.m. at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Drivers who disappointed or had a bad season in 2016 will look to begin on the right page during the first of three Cup Series events at Daytona in an eight-day period.
It’s a busy and trying time during the opening week of festivities at Daytona. As a result, drivers are tested often, unlike any other week during the season. Luckily, one bad weekend at Daytona doesn’t doom a driver’s season or chances of making the postseason events.
Some drivers who need to bounce back in 2017 either had some bad luck, sustained unfortunate injuries or just found it hard to find a win during the 2016 season. Check out five drivers who need a better 2017 season than the one they finished a few months ago at Homestead.
5. Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne last won a NASCAR Cup Series race in 2014 during the Coca-Cola 600. Since then, Kahne has only five top-five finishes over the last two season. Entering his sixth season with Hendrick Motorsports in 2017, it’s time for him to bounce back or else Kahne may be looking for a new team the following season.
Kahne finished in 17th place in the Cup standings and has yet to finish in the top 10 since 2012, when he placed fourth overall. His 2012 season was his first with Hendrick Sports, but it’s been a rough couple of years with the racing team since.
Unfortunately, 2017 looks to be a critical year for Kahne. He needs to end his winning drought and finish in the top five and top 10 of races more often. He only had three top-five and 13 top-ten finishes in 2016. This means in a touch less than two-thirds of races last year, Kahne placed outside 10th place in a race’s final order. He desperately needs to figure out what’s been going wrong or else his time with Hendrick Motorsports may come to an end.