A Driver development program is a program used by NASCAR teams to develop younger drivers. It usually consists of a team signing a driver to a multi-year contract in which they run in minor-league racing divisions, (i.e. ARCA, Late Model) and gradually work up to the higher ranks of NASCAR. Some have criticized the contracts as being unfairly long-term and low-paying for the young drivers (who likely don't yet have professional representation from an agent). [1]
Teams currently using driver development programs[]
- Baker Curb Racing — Tommy Joe Martins
- Billy Ballew Motorsports — Brian Ickler
- Brad Keselowski Racing — Chad Finley, Mikey Kile
- Braun Racing — Brian Scott, Brad Sweet
- Cardinal Motorsports — Peyton Sellers
- Corrie Stott Racing — Dillon Oliver
- Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing — Bryan Clauson, Jeffrey Earnhardt
- Fast Track Racing — Bryan Silas
- Germain Racing — Michael Annett
- Hendrick Motorsports — Landon Cassill
- JR Motorsports — Richard Boswell, Kelly Bires
- Joe Gibbs Racing — Brad Coleman, Matt DiBenedetto, Max Gresham, Darrell Wallace
- JTG Daugherty Racing — Coleman Pressley
- Kevin Harvick Incorporated — J.R. Fitzpatrick
- MB Motorsports — Ben Stancill
- Michael Waltrip Racing —Trevor Bayne, Ryan Truex
- ML Motorsports — Shelby Howard
- Penske Racing — Justin Allgaier, Dakoda Armstrong, Brad Keselowski, Parker Kligerman
- Phoenix Racing — James Buescher, Ryan Crane
- R3 Racing — Ken Butler, Robert Richardson
- RAB Racing — Tom Hessert III
- Randy Moss Motorsports — Tayler Malsam
- Red Horse Racing - Justin Lofton
- Richard Childress Racing — Sean Caisse, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Tim George, Jr., Ryan Gifford, Blake Koch, Stephen Leicht, John Wes Townley
- Roush Fenway Racing — Colin Braun, Chris Buescher, Erik Darnell, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
- Rusty Wallace, Inc. — Steve Wallace
- Spraker Racing Enterprises — Alex Kennedy
- SS-Green Light Racing — Drew Brannon, Chad McCumbee, Sean Murphy, Jason Young
- Stewart Haas Racing — Levi Jones
- Tuner Motorsports — Ricky Carmichael, Logan Ruffin, Beau Slocumb
- Xxxtreme Motorsports — Chase Austin
- Ware Racing Enterprises — Tim Andrews, Tim Brown, Darryl Harr, Chrissy Wallace
- Wood Brothers Racing — Keven Wood
Manufacturer Driver Development Program[]
- Ford—Bobby East, Alison MacLeod