Maybe Brennan Poole, not Danica Patrick, is the leading candidate for the 27 at RCR
By Nick Tylwalk
One of the more interesting rides involved in the current NASCAR Silly Season may have just received a new frontrunner.
When people talk about NASCAR Silly Season using an analogy to dominoes, there’s a reason for that. Every move ends up affecting another one, either directly or because of other moves that happen before it. The latest domino to fall is Brennan Poole parting ways with Chip Ganassi Racing, which was reported by Lee Spencer of Motorsport.
On its own, a full-time XFINITY Series driver switching teams isn’t super noteworthy, especially since the 26-year-old Poole has zero wins at that level. But his next move coul dbe, with Spencer’s sources saying his next stop could be at Richard Childress Racing.
Like we said, dominoes.
"When asked about his future during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Tuesday, Poole said he wasn’t sure what the future held. According to sources close to the situation, the likely landing place for Poole is a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ride at Richard Childress Racing. With Paul Menard departing for the Wood Brothers next season, RCR has a vacancy."
RCR definitely is in need of a driver to join Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman if it wants to remain a three-car team. The intriguing part is that the No. 27 that’s being vacated by Menard has also been mentioned as a possible ride for Danica Patrick, who wants to remain in the Cup Series after it became clear her time with Stewart-Haas Racing is over.
Next: NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings after Charlotte
Poole hasn’t been mentioned all that often as a driver likely to make the XFINITY to Cup Series for the 2018 season, but he’s performed well even with a lack of race wins, making the Round of 8 for this year’s playoffs. It’s quite possible he’s being viewed as a “now or never” type in contrast to younger, rising stars like William Byron, and if sponsors like him, that’s really going to be the deciding factor.
With openings at teams like RCR and SHR, the moves aren’t quite finished yet, and what the Cup Series field looks like next February at Daytona could still have its share of surprises.