Four Drivers Who Deserve a Chance in 2024

The term journeyman driver has been within NASCAR for as long as one can remember. These drivers, at times perform admirably in equipment that may not necessarily be top notch. This select group of drivers also generally do not have the fully funded, full-time opportunities available to them that others do. 

Who deserves a shot in 2024? These four drivers below could make a big impact if given the right chance as the new season is on the horizon.

Kaden Honeycutt:

2023 Results:

Honeycutt has had what could be considered a highlight season in 2023. Honeycutt signed to drive the #04 Ford for Roper Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series, with a possibility of expanding the schedule. While the #04 entry did not make the Daytona field, they did run the next 6 races through Martinsville. Unfortunately, Honeycutt did not return to Roper Racing, but the pairing did score some impressive results during their tenure. These include a Top 15 finish at COTA, and a 9th place finish on the Bristol dirt after a Top 5 qualifying run. 

Honeycutt made several other Truck Series starts during the season, splitting time between Young’s Motorsports’ #20 Chevrolet and Niece Motorsports’ #44 Chevrolet. These were highlighted with a 10th place finish for Young’s Motorsports in Darlington, as well as a Top 20 run at Pocono for Niece Motorsports. Honeycutt’s ability to take under performing equipment and push it to a good finish should make every team owner take a look.

Honeycutt also made his ARCA Menards West Series debut this year, winning at Roseville for Steve McGowan in his #17 Chevrolet.
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Kyle Weatherman:

2023 Results:

Kyle Weatherman made his Xfinity Debut in 2019, and quickly gained a reputation for taking care of his equipment and squeezing every ounce of speed from his cars. Weatherman once again returned in 2023, and has made starts with four different teams.

While not having scored any Top 10 finishes as of yet, Weatherman has made starts with Our Motorsports, DGM Racing, JD Motorsports, SS-Green Light Racing, and FRS Racing. Despite this, Weatherman made 21 of his 22 races, and has an average finish of 23rd. Highlights include a 13th at Watkins Glen for JD Motorsports, and a 14th in Dover for Our Motorsports. The lone miss in the schedule was a DNQ at Richmond for the upstart FRS Racing team.  Weatherman when given the opportunity, can get decent equipment towards the front of the field.

Ranging from 2017 to 2019, Weatherman also has 11 Cup Series starts split between Rick Ware Racing and the now defunct StarCom Racing.

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Jake Drew:

2023 Results:

Jake Drew is perhaps the least known name in this group, but deserves a spot. Drew, who is the 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Champion found himself without a ride after his Sunrise Racing team shut down. Drew has 21 West Series starts since 2021 with 4 wins, 13 Top 5 finishes, and 17 Top 10’s. Not mention narrowly missing the championship in ’21 by tie-breaker. 

The loss of his West Series ride ultimately took him down the Craftsman Truck Series path this season, and results have been impressive. Drew made his Truck debut at Nashville with ThorSport Racing and their #66 Ford, finishing 12th. Since, Drew has made four more starts in the #61 Toyota for Hattori Racing Enterprises, with several strong runs. Including a 10th in Kansas, Drew has not finished worse than 20th. 

Both ThorSport Racing and Hattori Racing Enterprises should consider Drew for a full-time run in 2024. With some experience, Drew could be a legitimate Truck Series championship threat in a few seasons.

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Bayley Currey:

2023 Results:

Bayley Currey is also on this exclusive list because of past performances and rough luck. 2023 should have been a banner year for Currey, as he returned to his #4 JD Motorsports Xfinity Series team to run another full season. Currey and the JD team finished a respectable 20th in the standings in 2022, so a return this season should have produced even better results

Instead, Currey parted ways with the team just four races into the season without much more information. All was not lost though, as Currey also has performed well with Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series in their #41 Chevrolet. Currently the duo has collected two Top 5’s and 5 Top 10’s in just nine starts.

Currey may also be the most “veteran” driver on this list as he has 12 Cup Series starts, 111 Xfinity Series starts, and 42 Truck Series starts dating back to 2017.

The performance of the Niece-Currey partnership could pay big dividends for both if Currey could move to the Truck Series full-time.