The last two NASCAR race weekends have seen two top rides available filled — albeit, both weekends were separated by 10 weeks.

In early March at the Phoenix Raceway, Team Penske and Ryan Blaney announced a multi year extension. That was a week prior to COVID-19 creating a lengthy break, one that was basically similar time off to what a standard offseason would be.

More: Blaney Stays With Penske

Nothing would happen in terms of new deals being signed during the 70 day layoff. That didn’t stop Kyle Larson taking his name as the top free agent off the board though.

On April 19, Larson used a racial slur which cost him his ride and his immediate future in the sport.

Heading into Darlington this weekend, rides were still available at Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing and several others.

The top drivers available were Alex Bowman, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, Aric Almirola, Cole Custer, Austin Dillon, Matt DiBenedetto, Corey LaJoie, Bubba Wallace and more.

How would these play out? This silly season would shape the future of our sport. We know that two of those rides are departing drivers that wouldn’t take one of those other top rides. Jimmie Johnson is retiring and leaving the No. 48 Chevrolet open. Larson, damaged his reputation and no way would be considered for those seats, which means his No. 42 Chevrolet is available for the taking.

So, who winds up where?

On Saturday, one of those seats and one of those drivers came off the board. Bowman and HMS agreed to a one year extension. Not surprising that the two fastest drivers this season are staying out with their respective teams.

More: Bowman Inks 1 Year Extension at HMS

Now, what’s next?

You can’t forget about several Xfinity Series drivers that can play a role into this either. Chase Briscoe (SHR) and Austin Cindric (Penske) are in their second years in the series and are good enough to move up. Ross Chastain (Kaulig) is still under contract with Ganassi. They could be younger and cheaper options.

I think this all starts with Keselowski though. Rumor is that the 2012 series champion is a prime candidate to replacing the retiring Johnson. Think about it, Keselowski used to be in the HMS chain. He drove for JR Motorsports in NXS competition and was in line to take over the 5 seat before they passed him over in favor of Mark Martin in 2009. That paved the path for Keselowski to Penske. Now, he can finish where he should have started. Plus, HMS needs that championship experience. They’ve lost Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kasey Kahne, Martin and now Johnson in recent years. Left for 2021 are Chase Elliott, William Byron and Bowman — a combined eight wins and 0 championships. Keselowski,36, is still relatively young and has some good years left in him. They may still need that veteran presence at HMS.

If he leaves, that would open a seat at Penske. DiBenedetto or Cindric should factor into those plans with the other at the Wood Brothers.

SHR has Harvick signed on an extension and I don’t see them letting Custer go. Bowyer and Almirola are year to year and getting some more youth is their best option for moving forward. Briscoe could be in play for one of the two seats with Keselowski, DiBenedetto, LaJoie and Jones for the other.

See, Jones seems to be the odd man out at JGR. Do they extend him to another one year deal? We know Christopher Bell is going to end up at JGR at some point. So will Harrison Burton. When does Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr call it quits? I don’t see it happening next year, so what are the plans for Jones? Does he get sick of one year deals and get an offer at SHR or even Penske?

Ganassis seat should go to Chastain but the Matt Kenseth signing came out of left field so nothing is guaranteed.

Dillon leaving RCR would be eye opening and shocking so I don’t see any movement on the RCR front.