Other than Aric Almirola’s replacement in the No. 10, do you foresee any more NASCAR Cup Series driver changes for next year?
Anthony Damcott: Unless someone pulls a Carl Edwards and unexpectedly retires weeks before the season starts, I don’t see any huge changes in the future for any driver/team in the top 30 in points. Even drivers in contract years will more than likely return to the team they’re with next year, whether it’s on a one-year deal or a long-term extension. The only potential change could be to the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4, but that’s predicated on the notion that Kevin Harvick decides it’s finally time to retire — and based on his attitude towards racing, it doesn’t seem like 2022 will be the last year. The entire silliness of the 2023 season was based on whether or not Martin Truex Jr. would return to Joe Gibbs Racing, and now that we know he is, it doesn’t seem like driver lineups will stay mainly status quo in the Cup Series for 2023, barring any extreme circumstances.
Luken Glover: There are no clear-cut changes on the horizon ever than the No. 10 currently. However, two rides stick out that could be open to change. Christopher Bell and Erik Jones aren’t sure bets to return their respective rides, but they more than likely will. Aside from them, there is Cole Custer‘s No. 41 at Stewart-Haas Racing and Tyler Reddick‘s No. 8 at Richard Childress Racing. While Custer’s dad is the president of SHR, results eventually speak. In his third season, Custer has no top 10s, a career-worst average finish and one lap led. Meanwhile, RCR has an option on Reddick and will definitely want him back. But if Reddick were to miss the playoffs and go winless, he may want to explore his options elsewhere.
Andrew Stoddard: This silly season is shaping up to be not too silly. There is the whole Kyle Busch sponsorship saga, but I do not see JGR letting a two-time Cup champion walk, especially considering Busch’s relationship with Toyota through his Cup success and his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. There are a couple of rides to look at in the Chevrolet camp. Jones is in a contract year for Petty GMS Racing, but the latest indications are that he is happy and wants to return to that team in 2023. The most likely driver change could be at a lower-tier Cup Chevy team, like Spire Motorsports. Corey LaJoie’s contract to drive the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire is reportedly up in 2022. Sitting at 31st in the points,…
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