BACK TO GALLERIES
End-of-season goodbyes: 2021 edition
By Steve Luvender | Published: 4 Nov, 2021 14
Meg Oliphant | Getty Images
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Meg Oliphant | Getty Images
The checkered flag waving at Phoenix Raceway signals the crowning of a new NASCAR champion, but it also closes some chapters in the sport. We’ll say farewell to some familiar sights when the 2021 season draws to a close this weekend.
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Tom Pennington | Getty Images
Brad Keselowski at Team Penske
After 12 seasons together, Brad Keselowski will part ways with Team Penske at the end of 2021. The 2012 Cup Series champ will head to Roush Fenway Racing in an ownership role while also driving one of the team’s two cars. In addition to the 2012 Cup Series title, Keselowski won 34 Cup Series races, the 2010 Xfinity Series championship, and 33 Xfinity Series races for Roger Penske since 2010. Austin Cindric will replace Keselowski in the No. 2 in 2022.
After 12 seasons together, Brad Keselowski will part ways with Team Penske at the end of 2021. The 2012 Cup Series champ will head to Roush Fenway Racing in an ownership role while also driving one of the team’s two cars. In addition to the 2012 Cup Series title, Keselowski won 34 Cup Series races, the 2010 Xfinity Series championship, and 33 Xfinity Series races for Roger Penske since 2010. Austin Cindric will replace Keselowski in the No. 2 in 2022.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
Ryan Newman
With Brad Keselowski moving to the Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 ride in 2022, Ryan Newman’s the odd man out. The 2002 Rookie of the Year has more than 700 starts in the Cup Series, where he’s earned 18 wins and a whopping 51 pole positions. Newman hasn’t announced his plans for 2022 yet.
With Brad Keselowski moving to the Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 ride in 2022, Ryan Newman’s the odd man out. The 2002 Rookie of the Year has more than 700 starts in the Cup Series, where he’s earned 18 wins and a whopping 51 pole positions. Newman hasn’t announced his plans for 2022 yet.
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James Gilbert | Getty Images
Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi joined the NASCAR ownership fold in 2001 after purchasing a majority stake in SABCO Racing, owned by Felix Sabates since 1989. Ganassi’s time as a NASCAR team owner will come to an end after the 2021 season when Trackhouse Racing Team, owned by Justin Marks and Pitbull, will acquire the Chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR operation. Driver Ross Chastain will move to Trackhouse, while Kurt Busch heads to a second 23XI Racing car alongside Bubba Wallace.
Chip Ganassi joined the NASCAR ownership fold in 2001 after purchasing a majority stake in SABCO Racing, owned by Felix Sabates since 1989. Ganassi’s time as a NASCAR team owner will come to an end after the 2021 season when Trackhouse Racing Team, owned by Justin Marks and Pitbull, will acquire the Chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR operation. Driver Ross Chastain will move to Trackhouse, while Kurt Busch heads to a second 23XI Racing car alongside Bubba Wallace.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
JTG Daugherty Racing’s No. 37 & Ryan Preece
Ryan Preece will drive the second JTG Daugherty Racing entry for one final time at Phoenix Raceway. The organization added the No. 37 to join its longtime No. 47 ride in 2017. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will continue to pilot the No. 47 in 2022, while Preece’s future plans are still unknown after three seasons in the Cup Series.
Ryan Preece will drive the second JTG Daugherty Racing entry for one final time at Phoenix Raceway. The organization added the No. 37 to join its longtime No. 47 ride in 2017. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will continue to pilot the No. 47 in 2022, while Preece’s future plans are still unknown after three seasons in the Cup Series.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
Matt DiBenedetto at Wood Brothers Racing
After two seasons behind the wheel of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, Matt DiBenedetto will step aside in favor of Harrison Burton, who moves up from the Xfinity Series. DiBenedetto, who posted a pair of runner-up finishes in his time as Driver No. 21, hasn’t announced a 2022 ride yet.
After two seasons behind the wheel of the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, Matt DiBenedetto will step aside in favor of Harrison Burton, who moves up from the Xfinity Series. DiBenedetto, who posted a pair of runner-up finishes in his time as Driver No. 21, hasn’t announced a 2022 ride yet.
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Zack Albert | NASCAR Digital Media
Crew Chief Todd Gordon
In June, 2018 Cup Series champion crew chief Todd Gordon announced his plans to retire after the 2021 season. Gordon has served as a Team Penske crew chief since 2012, earning 25 victories atop the pit box—including the 2015 Daytona 500 with Joey Logano behind the wheel. Gordon has served as crew chief for Ryan Blaney since 2020; Jonathan Hassler will move from the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 to fill Gordon’s place on the No. 12 team in 2022.
In June, 2018 Cup Series champion crew chief Todd Gordon announced his plans to retire after the 2021 season. Gordon has served as a Team Penske crew chief since 2012, earning 25 victories atop the pit box—including the 2015 Daytona 500 with Joey Logano behind the wheel. Gordon has served as crew chief for Ryan Blaney since 2020; Jonathan Hassler will move from the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 to fill Gordon’s place on the No. 12 team in 2022.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
2021 rookie stripes
Chase Briscoe and Anthony Alfredo will complete their final race as NASCAR Cup Series rookies when the checkered flag flies at Phoenix, shedding their bright-yellow rear-bumper stripes designed to signal to other racers that the driver ahead lacks experience. Briscoe’s rookie campaign netted three top-10 finishes—all on road courses—while Alfredo notched his first-ever top-10 finish at Talladega in October.
Chase Briscoe and Anthony Alfredo will complete their final race as NASCAR Cup Series rookies when the checkered flag flies at Phoenix, shedding their bright-yellow rear-bumper stripes designed to signal to other racers that the driver ahead lacks experience. Briscoe’s rookie campaign netted three top-10 finishes—all on road courses—while Alfredo notched his first-ever top-10 finish at Talladega in October.
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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images
NASCAR on NBCSN
NBCSN has aired live NASCAR race broadcasts for NBC Sports every season since 2015. With the channel shutting down on December 31, it means Kansas Speedway on October 24 was NASCAR’s final race on the NBCSN banner. NBCSN races will move to USA Network starting at Road America in July 2022.
NBCSN has aired live NASCAR race broadcasts for NBC Sports every season since 2015. With the channel shutting down on December 31, it means Kansas Speedway on October 24 was NASCAR’s final race on the NBCSN banner. NBCSN races will move to USA Network starting at Road America in July 2022.
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Maddie Meyer | Getty Images
Jeff Gordon in the FOX Sports booth
Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion-gone-broadcaster Jeff Gordon announced in June that he won’t return to his FOX Sports television role after 2021. Gordon will shift his focus to a leadership role at Hendrick Motorsports.
Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion-gone-broadcaster Jeff Gordon announced in June that he won’t return to his FOX Sports television role after 2021. Gordon will shift his focus to a leadership role at Hendrick Motorsports.
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Meg Oliphant | Getty Images
NASCAR’s Clash at Daytona
For the first time since the inception of the race in 1979, NASCAR’s preseason Clash won’t kick off the season at Daytona International Speedway. In 2022, NASCAR heads to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to race on a quarter-mile oval around the famed football field. The 2021 Clash took place on the Daytona Road Course.
For the first time since the inception of the race in 1979, NASCAR’s preseason Clash won’t kick off the season at Daytona International Speedway. In 2022, NASCAR heads to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to race on a quarter-mile oval around the famed football field. The 2021 Clash took place on the Daytona Road Course.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
Michael Annett
Xfinity Series veteran Michael Annett announced in October that he’ll retire from full-time competition when the 2021 season ends. Saturday’s Xfinity Series finale will mark his last start in the JR Motorsports car of which he’s been the, ahem, pilot, since 2017, scoring a win in 2019 at Daytona. Annett also competed for three years in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Xfinity Series veteran Michael Annett announced in October that he’ll retire from full-time competition when the 2021 season ends. Saturday’s Xfinity Series finale will mark his last start in the JR Motorsports car of which he’s been the, ahem, pilot, since 2017, scoring a win in 2019 at Daytona. Annett also competed for three years in the NASCAR Cup Series.
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Gen 6 race car
The most significant shakeup following the 2021 season will be the implementation of the NASCAR Next Gen car in 2022, which features, among many other updates, a composite body, a sequential five-speed shifter, and single-bolt lug nuts. Phoenix will mark the final race for NASCAR’s current Gen 6 race car, which has been in use since 2013.
The most significant shakeup following the 2021 season will be the implementation of the NASCAR Next Gen car in 2022, which features, among many other updates, a composite body, a sequential five-speed shifter, and single-bolt lug nuts. Phoenix will mark the final race for NASCAR’s current Gen 6 race car, which has been in use since 2013.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
StarCom Racing
The Derrike Cope-managed team, which made its debut in 2017, announced Friday that the charter for Quin Houff's No. 00 car would take new ownership after the season concludes. The team posted its best finish (11th) at Daytona in 2019 with Landon Cassill behind the wheel.
The Derrike Cope-managed team, which made its debut in 2017, announced Friday that the charter for Quin Houff's No. 00 car would take new ownership after the season concludes. The team posted its best finish (11th) at Daytona in 2019 with Landon Cassill behind the wheel.