DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – While there were no cars on track during a rainy Friday (Aug. 26) afternoon at Daytona International Speedway, there was still plenty of noise being made within its media center.
Amidst a whirlwind of rumors surrounding the silly season ahead of the approaching 2023 calendar, multiple news stories broke out for various drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series garage, which might change where some drivers are racing next year.
Here, we’ll break down what each one means and how it affects the outlook of the future of some Cup Series drivers.
Let’s start with what’s probably the biggest news:
It wasn’t the most unexpected piece of news that came out on Friday, but it certainly was the most critical.
Aric Almirola will return to Cup Series competition again in 2023 after he announced he had delayed his retirement, which he originally announced at the beginning of 2022, until at least the end of next year.
He owes his decision to his loyal sponsor Smithfield, as the meat brand agreed to stay with the Floridian for another two years. While Almirola staying is a big deal for, well, Almirola fans, it’s an even bigger deal for fans of Kyle Busch.
Why?
Because Busch is the biggest free agent in NASCAR as of now, and while he could very well resign his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, it was also heavily rumored for him to go to the Stewart-Haas Racing car left vacant by the leaving Almirola.
But now that ship has sailed, and suddenly, Busch has fewer options to choose from if he decides to leave his home of 14 years, JGR. Not to mention, with each race that Ty Gibbs performs well in the No. 45, filling in the No. 18 becomes all the more tantalizing for team owners and presidents.
While that doesn’t help Busch, it’s even worse for other drivers.
Drivers like Ryan Preece.
Preece has spent this year piecing together part-time rides as a reserve driver for SHR. A Rick Ware Racing start here, a BJ McLeod Motorsports start there and sprinkle in some solid NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts for David Gilliland Racing, and you have the 2022 season of the 31-year-old from Connecticut.
All the while, Preece had been arguably first in line to take an SHR ride for some time — barring any contract deals with the team’s sole NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, Riley Herbst. When Almirola revealed his retirement plans,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Frontstretch…