Ragan likely to lose Roush Fenway Sprint Cup drive according to team boss

Ragan has raced full-time for Roush since 2007, but he only took his first Cup victory this season on his way to 23rd in the standings.

"My expectation right now is that I don't see having something for David next year," said Roush. "There are some discussions ongoing but they aren't far enough along that I would put more than a 40 per cent chance of having something for him.

"David was a frustration and a disappointment for all of us because he was not able to realise the potential that he had, given what his skill is and what the expectations of his sponsor were."

Roush has promising young drivers under contract, with Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne and Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr both impressing this season. With Ragan's car losing its major sponsor for next year, the veteran team boss is turning his attention to his younger chargers.

"Ricky will have a ride with us next year, although I'm not sure what, or in which series," he added. "And so will Trevor.

"There are sponsorship discussions ongoing that are certainly benefitted by the competitive effort that both Ricky and Trevor made this year."

Ragan has only finished in the top 20 in the Cup standings once in his career, when he was the best of the drivers to miss out on the Chase for the championship in 13th in 2008.