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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - JUNE 10: Corey LaJoie, driver of the #32 Keen Parts Ford, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on June 10, 2020 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

Key figures in 2020-21 Silly Season

By Staff report | Published: 29 Nov, 2020 47
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

1 of 47

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - JULY 15: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BodyArmor Ford, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on July 15, 2020 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

NASCAR Silly Season doesn't take a holiday. As drivers and teams announce plans for next year, we're keeping tabs on those who are key players. Ryan Blaney (pictured) and Alex Bowman got the action started in the spring with extensions to stay at Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports, respectively.

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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - JUNE 10: Corey LaJoie, driver of the #32 Keen Parts Ford, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on June 10, 2020 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Corey LaJoie

Current ride: No. 32 Go Fas Racing Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: LaJoie will be driving for Spire Motorsports in the No. 7 Chevrolet for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series. The driver spent the past two seasons with Go Fas and has showcased his personality aplenty on MRN's "Sunday Money."

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DOVER, DELAWARE - AUGUST 21: Raphael Lessard, driver of the #4 Canac Toyota, walks the grid prior to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series KDI Office Technology 200 at Dover International Speedway on August 21, 2020 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Raphael Lessard


Current ride: No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.


The scoop: Lessard will shift to GMS Racing in a partial effort of 12 races with his eyes on running a full season if it materializes. The 19-year-old Canadian driver won his first Truck race in 2020 at Talladega.

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HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JUNE 06: Ryan Truex, driver of the #40 Plan B Sales Chevrolet,  prepares for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Vet Tix Camping World 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 06, 2020 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Ryan Truex


Current ride: Part-time in the No. 40 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.


The scoop: Truex will turn his part-time gig into a full-time ride with Niece Motorsports for the 2021 Camping World Truck Series season, the team announced Nov. 24. He'll stick with the No. 40 entry, too. In nine starts last season, Truex averaged a 20.1 finish and posted a best result of 12th twice -- at Kansas Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His last full-time Truck Series job was in 2017, highlighted by eight top-five finishes.

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John Hunter Nemechek Front Row Motorsports

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

John Hunter Nemechek


Current ride: No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series.


The scoop: Kyle Busch Motorsports signed Nemechek to its No. 4 Toyota in the Camping World Truck Series for 2021, it was announced Nov. 23. It was only a week before that Nemechek informed Front Row he will not be returning to the team for the 2021 Cup Series season. Front Row indicated it will announce its "plans for its NASCAR programs in the future."

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Tifft Mcleod

Getty Images

Live Fast Motorsports


The scoop: Matt Tifft and B.J. McLeod are pairing up to form a Cup Series team as the two have purchased a charter from Go Fas Racing owner Archie St. Hilarie’s ownership interest of Circle Sport Racing’s charter with Joe Falk. McLeod will drive the team’s No. 78 Ford, and the organization will have a strategic partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 27: Adam Stevens, crew chief of the #18 M&M's Toyota, sits on top of the pit box during the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Adam Stevens


Current role: Crew chief for the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: The two-time Cup Series champion, Kyle Busch, and his two-time title-winning crew chief are splitting up, as Stevens moves to the No. 20 JGR team to aid driver Christopher Bell from atop the pit box.

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LONG POND, PA - JUNE 09:  Ben Beshore, interim crew chief of the #18 M&M's Red, White, & Blue Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Axalta presents the Pocono 400 at Pocono Raceway on June 9, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Beshore will serve as interim crew chief while crew chief Adam Stevens serves his suspension for four races after a tire came off the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, driven by Kyle Busch (not pictured), during the AAA 400 Drive for Autism. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Ben Beshore


Current role: Crew chief for the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Beshore is moving back to the No. 18 JGR team in the Cup Series, where he used to be an engineer, after two seasons atop the pit box in the Xfinity Series. Beshore will be Kyle Busch's new crew chief.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 18: Jeb Burton, driver of the #8 LS Tractor Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 18, 2020 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Jeb Burton


Current ride: Part-time in the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.


The scoop: After several part-time rides -- most notably with JRM -- Burton is going to run full time with Kaulig Racing. He takes over the open seat of the No. 10 Chevrolet, vacated by Ross Chastain's move up the ladder to the Cup ranks. Burton fared well in limited JRM duty, so it will be interesting to see how he does in a full-time deal.

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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - JULY 24: Chase Purdy, driver of the #24 BAMABUGGIES.com Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 200 at Kansas Speedway on July 24, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jamie Squire | Getty Images

Chase Purdy


Current ride: Part-time in NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series for GMS Racing.


The scoop: The NASCAR Next alumni will move into a full-time role with GMS in 2021 with the Camping World Truck Series, the team announced Nov. 13. Purdy had seven starts behind the wheel of a truck in 2020, with one top-10 finish.

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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: Harrison Burton, driver of the #20 Dex Imaging Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 10, 2020 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Harrison Burton


Current ride: No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.


The scoop: Fresh off a four-win season and two wins in the final three races, Burton will be back in the Xfinity Series for 2021 in the same ride he piloted in 2020. The series’ Sunoco Rookie of the Year had a strong season and should be among the favorites for the title in 2021.

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Travis Mack


Current role: Crew chief for the No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: After nearly two-and-a-half seasons with driver Michael Annett and JRM, Mack is making the move back to the Cup ranks. He served as a crew chief briefly in 2018 for Kasey Kahne at Leavine Family Racing.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 25: Brett Moffitt, driver of the #23 GMS Fabrication Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series World of Westgate 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Brett Moffitt

Current ride: No. 02 Our Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series/No. 23 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

The scoop: After two full-time seasons with GMS Racing in the Gander Truck Series, Moffitt will transition to full time in the Xfinity Series with a familiar ride. The 2018 Gander Trucks champion will pilot the No. 02 Chevrolet for Our Motorsports in 2021. In 2020, Moffitt competed in 29 of the 33 Xfinity Series events with the team one top five and seven top-10 finishes.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 28:  Daniel Hemric, driver of the #8 OnDeck Capital Chevrolet, prepares for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pocono Green 225 Recycled by J.P. Mascaro & Sons at Pocono Raceway on June 28, 2020 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Daniel Hemric

Current ride: Part-time in the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Hemric will be moving to Joe Gibbs Racing's Xfinity Series program and piloting the No. 18 Toyota, the team announced Nov. 12. Hemric is still searching for his first NASCAR national series win.

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SPARTA, KENTUCKY - JULY 10:  Riley Herbst, driver of the #18 Monster Energy Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 10, 2020 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Riley Herbst

Current ride: No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: After a full-time season at JGR, Herbst is moving on and his seat will be filled by Daniel Hemric. In 2020, Herbst qualified for the playoffs and finished 12th in the standings.

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Michael Annett JR Motorsports Xfinity Series

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Michael Annett

Current ride: No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Annett will return to JRM for a fifth season in 2021. He has qualified for the playoffs in three of his previous four seasons with the Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned organization. Longtime partner Pilot Flying J is back as a primary sponsor.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Sam's Club/Hellmann's Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on October 24, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Justin Allgaier

Current ride: No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Fresh off making the Championship 4 in the Xfinity Series for the fourth time in five years, JRM announced Nov. 2 that Allgaier will be back in 2021. Longtime partner BRANDT will also return as a primary sponsor.

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TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 03: Austin Hill, driver of the #16 United Rentals Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Chevy Silverado 250  at Talladega Superspeedway on October 03, 2020 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Austin Hill

Current ride: No. 16 Hattori Racing Enterprises Toyota in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

The scoop: Hill will be back for a third season with HRE. He has totaled six wins over the past two seasons and just missed making the Championship 4 in those years as well.

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LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 24:  Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, and crew chief Michael Wheeler stand in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bad Boy Off Road 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 24, 2016 in Loudon, New Hampshire.  (Photo by Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Chris Trotman | NASCAR via Getty Images

Mike Wheeler

Current role: Competition director for Leavine Family Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Wheeler will be back atop the box for the 2021 season as the crew chief for Bubba Wallace and the No. 23 23XI Racing team with co-owner Denny Hamlin. Wheeler worked with Hamlin for three years and the pair won five Cup races together.

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Kyle Larson

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Kyle Larson

Past role: Driver of the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet before he was fired for using a racial slur during an iRacing event in April. At the time, NASCAR also suspended him indefinitely.

The scoop: Hendrick Motorsports signed Larson to a multi-year deal on Oct. 28 to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in the Cup Series starting in 2021. Larson has six Cup Series victories and has qualified for the playoffs four times. His reinstatement to NASCAR goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

21 of 47

John K Harrelson

John K. Harrelson

Rudy Fugle

Current role: Crew chief for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

The scoop: The 28-time winner in Gander Truck Series competition will make the move up to the Cup Series to man the pit box for William Byron's No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Fugle, who earned seven of those wins with Byron, replaces seven-time Cup champion Chad Knaus.

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Sheldon Creed

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Sheldon Creed

Current ride: No. 2 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Series.

The scoop: The 2020 Gander Truck Series champion will be in the Truck ranks in 2021 with GMS, the team announced Oct. 23. His title season produced five wins and he will look to defend his crown.

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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - OCTOBER 17: Tyler Ankrum, driver of the #26 LiUNA! Chevrolet, walks the grid prior to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Clean Harbors 200at Kansas Speedway on October 17, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Tyler Ankrum

Current ride: No. 26 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

The scoop: Ankrum came over to GMS in 2020 and proceeded to make the playoffs for the second straight season. On Oct. 23, the team announced he will be back for a second season at GMS.

24 of 47

Berry

Jacob Kupferman | NASCAR

Josh Berry

Current ride: JR Motorsports Late Model Program.

The scoop: Fresh off his 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly National Championship, Berry will drive the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series for approximately 12 races in the first half of the 2021 season. The 30-year-old has made seven previous Xfinity Series starts with five coming for JRM.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JULY 19: Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Craftsman Toyota, looks on following the NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Erik Jones

Current ride: No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Jones has landed with Richard Petty Motorsports, signing a multiyear deal to drive the team's No. 43 Chevrolet. He'll succeed Bubba Wallace in King Richard Petty's Cup Series entry. The move comes after Joe Gibbs Racing announced Aug. 6 it would part ways Jones after the 2020 season.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JULY 18: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #98 Ford Performance Racing School Ford, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on July 18, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Chase Briscoe

Current ride: No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Briscoe will move up to the Cup Series in 2021 taking over the No. 14 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, with Clint Bowyer moving into the FOX broadcast booth next year. Briscoe qualified for the Xfinity Series Championship 4 with his playoff win at Kansas Speedway.

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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - OCTOBER 17: Justin Haley, driver of the #11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on October 17, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Justin Haley


Current ride: No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Haley will be returning to Kaulig for a third season and is fresh off a three-win season while emerging as a title contender in the series. He should be one of the favorites for the Xfinity Series championship in 2021.

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KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - OCTOBER 17: Hailie Deegan, driver of the #17 FORD Ford, prepares for the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Clean Harbors 200at Kansas Speedway on October 17, 2020 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Hailie Deegan


Current ride: No. 4 DGR-Crosley Ford in the ARCA Menards Series.

The scoop: Deegan will be making the move up the ladder to run in the Camping World Truck Series with an eye on a full campaign in 2021. She will compete for rookie honors in the No. 17 DGR-Crosley Ford.

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Brandon Jones, driver of the #19 Menards/Inspire Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Virginia is for Racing Lovers 250 at Richmond Raceway on September 12, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Brandon Jones


Current ride: No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: On Oct. 13, JGR announced Jones would be back in the No. 19 Toyota for his fourth season with the team in 2021. He has four wins with the organization.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 25: Zane Smith, driver of the #21 Michael Roberts Construction Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series World of Westgate 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on September 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Zane Smith

Current ride: No. 21 GMS Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

The scoop: On Oct. 12, GMS revealed Smith will be returning to the organization for a second season. In his freshman campaign, he's won twice and advanced to the Championship 4 in the series playoffs.

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Clint Bowyer

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Clint Bowyer

Current ride: No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: On Oct. 8, Bowyer announced he will step aside from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition to join the FOX NASCAR booth for the 2021 season. To date, he has 10 Cup Series wins in his 16-year career and won the 2008 Xfinity Series title.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JULY 19: Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, looks on prior to the NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Matt DiBenedetto

Current ride: No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: On Oct. 8, Wood Brothers Racing announced DiBenedetto would return to the team for the 2021 season. The 2020 season saw DiBenedetto qualify for the playoffs for the first time in his Cup Series career.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JULY 18: Austin Cindric, driver of the #22 MoneyLion Ford, poses in Victory Lane after being awarded the victory when Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 Twix Cookies & Creme Toyota, failed post-race inspection following the NASCAR Xfinity Series Bariatric Solutions 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on July 18, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Austin Cindric

Current ride: No. 22 Team Penske Ford in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: On Oct. 8, Team Penske announced Cindric inked a contract extension that will see him drive in the Xfinity Series in 2021 with select Cup Series starts before moving over to the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing team to run Cup in the 2022 season. The 2020 Xfinity champion will look to defend his title in 2021.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 02: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #41 Walmart Family Mobile Ford, looks on during the Salute to Veterans Qualifying Day Fueled by The Texas Lottery for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 02, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Daniel Suarez

Current ride: No. 96 Gaunt Brothers Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: On Oct. 7, Trackhouse Entertainment Group announced the formation of a Cup Series race team, tabbing Suarez to pilot its No. 99 Chevrolet full time starting with the 2021 Daytona 500.

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Gettyimages 1209566412

Getty Images

Alex Bowman

Current ride: No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: On Oct. 6, Hendrick Motorsports announced Alex Bowman will shift to the No. 48 Chevrolet, taking over for seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson as he retires from full-time competition after the 2020 season. The 2021 season will be Bowman's fourth driving for the organization.

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Bubba Wallace

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Bubba Wallace

Current ride: No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Wallace announced on Sept. 10 he was not returning to Richard Petty Motorsports for the 2021 season. On Sept. 21, Wallace and Denny Hamlin announced the 26-year-old would pilot a car for a team Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan were putting together for 2021 and drive the No. 23 for 23XI Racing. Wallace will finish out 2020 with RPM, his third full-time season with the organization.

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BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 08: Ty Dillon, driver of the #13 GEICO Chevrolet, walks the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 08, 2020 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Ty Dillon

Current ride: No. 13 Germain Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: On Sept. 21, Germain Racing announced it had agreed to sell its charter to the Michael Jordan-Denny Hamlin team with driver Bubba Wallace. Per the release announcing the sale, Germain will say farewell at the end of the 2020 season. Dillon, the driver of the No. 13 for the past four seasons, is now an option for the open seats around the garage.

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Ross Chastain

Current ride: No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Chip Ganassi Racing announced on Sept. 21 that Chastain will take over the No. 42 Chevrolet full-time for 2021 in the Cup Series, replacing Matt Kenseth.

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2020 Sept15 Mayer Main

Nic Antaya | ARCA Racing

Sam Mayer

Current ride: Part-time in NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and running various ARCA series for GMS Racing.

The scoop: Mayer will be moving to JR Motorsports to make his Xfinity Series debut in 2021 with a full-time ride in the series for 2022. He had driven for JRM in the organization's late model program earlier in his development.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JULY 19: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Hometown Original Ford, walks on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Aric Almirola

Current ride: No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Almirola has been a playoff fixture during his three-year tenure at SHR and a preseason crew chief change has helped him reach new heights. Almirola confirmed he had a deal to return in 2021 on Sept. 1.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet, stands on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

William Byron

Current ride: No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Three days after Byron's first career win, Hendrick Motorsports announced it had extended the young driver's contract through the 2022 season. Byron qualified for the 2020 NASCAR Playoffs with his victory in the Aug. 29 regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway.

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 04:  Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Switch Chevrolet, stands on the grid during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 04, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Noah Gragson

Current ride: No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The scoop: Gragson will be returning to JR Motorsports for the 2021 Xfinity Series season. In 2020, he notched two wins and has turned some heads with his aggressive, take-no-prisoners style of racing.

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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - JUNE 10: Christopher Bell, driver of the #95 Toyota Toyota, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on June 10, 2020 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Christopher Bell

Current ride: No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Joe Gibbs Racing announced Aug. 10 that Christopher Bell would drive the No. 20 Cup Series car in 2021. It was announced earlier that Erik Jones, who currently occupies that seat, would not return to JGR after the 2020 season. Bell will continue to drive for Leavine Family Racing until the end of this season with LFR selling its charter beyond 2020.

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LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 28: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #8 Caterpillar Chevrolet, stands on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Pocono 350 at Pocono Raceway on June 28, 2020 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Tyler Reddick

Current ride: No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Reddick casually announced he will be staying with Richard Childress Racing in 2021 on a Aug. 7 Zoom call -- the day after Erik Jones’ Joe Gibbs Racing departure became public news. The rookie will return to his No. 8 Chevrolet, which hasn’t made it to Victory Lane in 2020 just yet but did place runner-up to his own teammate, Austin Dillon, at Texas Motor Speedway in July.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JULY 19: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Wurth Ford, stands on the grid following the NASCAR Cup Series O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on July 19, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Brad Keselowski

Current ride: No. 2 Team Penske Ford in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Team Penske took Keselowski off the open market by signing him to a contract extension on Aug. 3. The 2012 champ will return to the No. 2 Ford in 2021, putting to rest one of the biggest question marks we had entering Silly Season.

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SPARTA, KENTUCKY - JULY 12: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Presented by Walmart at Kentucky Speedway on July 12, 2020 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson

Current ride: No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: What is the retiring seven-time champ doing here? Well, he is only retiring from full-time racing in NASCAR. It's not hard to picture him being in the field at say Sonoma Raceway or Watkins Glen International in 2021 and perhaps a few other select events in addition to his potential IndyCar dabbling.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - JULY 15: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #42 McDonald's McDelivery Chevrolet, walks the grid prior to during the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on July 15, 2020 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Matt Kenseth

Current ride: No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The scoop: Seemingly out of nowhere, Kenseth returned to take over the reins of the No. 42 when NASCAR returned from its COVID-19 hiatus. The results may not have quite lived up to expectations, and with Ross Chastain in place for 2021, it will be just one season at Ganassi for Kenseth. The veteran indicated in a November interview that his days of full-time driving are over.
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