Column: As sponsorship dollars dwindle, NASCAR's stars fade

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Kenseth, a future Hall of Famer, likely has two races left in his life as a famous NASCAR driver.

The final seat in the carousel of job options will be filled Wednesday when Stewart-Haas Racing is expected to announce Aric Almirola as its new driver.

Yes, a two-time Daytona 500 winner and former series champion was passed over for a driver with one victory in 242 career starts. It is yet another seat that didn't go to Kenseth, who embarrassingly has become the odd man out in a free agency period that has focused far more on salaries and sponsorship than talent.

Kenseth, who told reporters over the weekend that he will take time off in 2018 , is hardly alone in his plight.