NASCAR Offseason Puzzle: NASCAR heads into the third week of the offseason, with key spots in the 2024 full-time Cup car lineup still unclaimed.
Stewart-Haas Racing hasn’t named a successor for Aric Almirola in the No. 10 car. Kaulig Racing keeps mum about the No. 16 car, driven by AJ Allmendinger last year. Rick Ware Racing also hasn’t unveiled its plans for the No. 15 car.
The top contenders for these slots are becoming clearer, with Noah Gragson leading the list to replace Almirola. Gragson, a Cup rookie last year, faced suspension for liking a racially insensitive post in August but was reinstated after completing a program with RISE, expressing gratitude for the support received.
Speculations place Gragson at SHR, possibly bringing funding to offset the team’s loss of the anchor sponsor, Smithfield. His potential teammate, Josh Berry, slated to replace the retiring Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 car, had fewer NASCAR national series experiences compared to Gragson but showcased potential by winning races.
Gragson struggled in his debut full Cup season, ranking 33rd before his suspension. His future at Legacy seemed uncertain with the team’s move to Toyota, aligning with Toyota’s quest for a Cup ride for John Hunter Nemechek.
Meanwhile, Kaulig’s Allmendinger might pivot towards Xfinity Series. The likely replacement, Ty Dillon, though enduring tough seasons, holds promise, potentially leveraging resources from Richard Childress Racing due to family ties.
RWR may opt for multiple drivers for their No. 15 car, with veteran JJ Yeley likely in their plans.
Crew chief changes seem limited, except for a significant switch between Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton’s Penske crew chiefs during the season.
Several driver-team combinations are in motion for 2024, including Ben Beshore joining Nemechek at Legacy and Carson Hocevar moving to Spire Motorsports.
The anticipation for the Daytona 500 also looms, with drivers like BJ McLeod entering with Live Fast Motorsports, while other teams work on securing entries for the high-stakes event.
The passing of broadcaster Ken Squier, a trailblazer in motorsports broadcasts, is deeply felt. Squier’s impact reverberated nationally, shaping NASCAR’s growth and live coverage standards.
Recent team announcements for 2024 in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series underscore the ongoing developments in NASCAR, while notable races in 2023 saw every car crossing the finish line, a rare occurrence in recent years.
Josh Williams, signing his Xfinity deal with Kaulig, aims for victories, reflecting the competitive aspirations brewing within the NASCAR sphere.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Does NASCAR have an off season?
On Sunday, Ryan Blaney clinched his first Cup Series championship, securing Team Penske’s second consecutive win. As NASCAR heads into its three-month offseason, there’s much to be sorted out off the track.
How does NASCAR pushing work?
Bump drafting, or NASCAR pushing, is a technique where a car intentionally hits the rear bumper of another car to boost their speed. This move propels the lead car forward, thanks to the force of the pushing car. It’s a strategy used to increase the speed of both cars involved.
