Usually during an off weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series the silly season rumors ramp up and things begin to get clearer as far as who will be in what ride for the following season. That did not happen this past weekend though, as the rumor mill remained quiet.
Yet, we do know of one open ride for 2023 and that is the No. 10 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing. Current driver Aric Almirola will retire at season’s end and while there are several options to replace Almirola, the consensus has been Ryan Preece, who is technically a reserve driver for SHR this season.
However, so many things can change and just because Preece is under contract at SHR doesn’t make him a lock for the No. 10 car in 2023. That’s why it is called “silly season” after all. We pitched this question to our writers – is Preece still the favorite to replace Almirola at Stewart-Haas Racing? Stephen Stumpf and Michael Nebbia debate who will drive the No. 10 car in 2023.
Preece and What Else?
This says more about Ford’s developmental driver program than anything else.
Ford needs new blood, as the Kevin Harvick-era at Stewart-Haas Racing is nearly over. Ford’s best drivers this season are Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano. Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric have shown promise, but there is a long way to go for them to consistently contend for wins.
So, who does Ford have to step up to the plate? Other than Preece, no one.
Their once strong Xfinity Series program has been gutted.
After Cindric graduated from the Xfinity Series at the end of 2021, Team Penske shut down the No. 22 Xfinity car. A seat that could’ve been used for driver development this year is no longer an option going forward. For SHR, their one Xfinity car is driven by Riley Herbst, who in 47 starts has a best finish of third in a car that won nine races with Briscoe in 2020.
Ford’s Truck program isn’t much better.
ThorSport Racing left for Toyota after the conclusion of 2020, leaving David Gilliland Racing and Front Row Motorsports as the only Ford teams. Hailie Deegan has one top-10 finish for DGR since the start of 2021. Tanner Gray has been with DGR since 2020 and hasn’t contended for a race win. The best driver currently in the lower series for Ford is Zane Smith, who has won three times with FRM this season. But it would be too early to rush him to Cup without a year in Xfinity first.
That leaves Preece.
In seven Truck races for DGR, he has scored a win and six top-10 finishes. Certainly impressive…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Frontstretch…