With Kevin Harvick retiring, and Aric Almirola rumored to possibly be hanging it up at season’s end, it got us at the Daily Downforce thinking about something. Which drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series are getting close to a potential retirement?
Martin Treux Jr. was seemingly flirting with retirement for the early part of the 2023 season, but, he ultimately decided to come back for 2024. 2025, however, the jury is still out on that. When Kevin Harvick retires, Truex Jr. will hold the title of oldest driver on the Cup Series grid.
A lot of it probably depends on performance, and Martin Truex Jr.’s performance has definitely dipped throughout the Playoffs. He has failed to record a top-15 finish since Watkins Glen back in August, and, if that continues into 2024, could that force his hand? We will have to see exactly what the plan is for Truex’s future, but retirement seems to be coming sooner rather than later.
Denny Hamlin is the only other driver aside from Truex Jr. and Harvick who is over 40 years old. Hamlin also has his post-driving career already well figured out as he has formed 23XI Racing. Hamlin will stay in the Cup Series at least through 2025 as he signed a multi-year contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing.
However, once 2025 rolls around, Hamlin will be pushing 45 year old around when the season ends. How much longer does he go before he focuses totally on his race team? Tony Stewart, another team owner, hung up his helmet at the age of 45 in 2016.
Brad Keselowski is in a similar situation to Denny Hamlin, but Keselowski is a bit younger than Hamlin. However, Keselowski is still going to be 40 years old when he enters the Daytona 500 in 2024, so, retirement is closer than some may think. He obviously loves being a team owner, and, since he joined RFK Racing, the race team has improved into a legitimate Playoff potential Championship contender.
How much longer until Keselowski makes the jump to being a team owner? Ford would likely need some better prospects before Keselowski retires, but, then again, he may not want to race that long. It may not happen in 2025, but it could happen in the near future.
Following his win at the Charlotte Roval last weekend, A.J. Allmendinger was emotional, and this may have been because he may not be in the Cup Series beyond this year. Now, he will still be racing in 2024, but what about beyond? Again, Allmendinger is over 40 years old.
How much longer does he go on for? He will likely be competitive if he moves to Xfinity in 2024, but, how much longer does he want to race there for? It likely depends on how much longer Kaulig Racing needs him, but, at what point does a big-name prospect need that seat?
Michael McDowell is younger than every driver on this list, and he has just had two of the best seasons of his career. He likely has a ride with Front Row Motorsports as long as he wants to, but how much longer will that be? Since McDowell is getting up there in age at 38 years old, that time is closer than we may think.
At some point, Front Row may need to move someone up into McDowell’s seat. With Front Row only signing one-year contracts over the last few years, McDowell can theoretically go at any moment. At some point, that moment will come, and he will be 40 years old by the time the 2025 season rolls around.
Which other drivers could be hanging it up sometime soon? Maybe there could be a surprise move sometime soon.
