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Key players in 2022-23 Silly Season
By Staff Report | Friday, June 24, 2022
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NASCAR Silly Season is back and in full force for another campaign, with this year's list of developments shaping up to be one of the most impactful in recent years. Rumors are swirling, questions are being asked, and we are keeping track of the latest developments right here.
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Martin Truex Jr.
Current ride: No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
The scoop: Truex is coming back to Joe Gibbs Racing. After previously expressing uncertainty about his future, the 2017 champion confirmed his return to the No. 19 Toyota in 2023 following practice at Nashville Superspeedway on June 24. The end of the 2022 season will mark his 17th full-time stint at the premier level, with more than 600 starts, a championship and much more on his resume. Truex has won four or more races in five of the last seven years.
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Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Current ride: No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
The scoop: Stenhouse and JTG Daugherty Racing announced a multi-year contract extension June 24 prior to any Cup Series action at Nashville Superspeedway. At that point, Stenhouse had one top-five and five top-10 finishes through 16 races. JTG Daugherty Racing changed to a one-car operation in 2021.
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Kyle Busch
Current ride: No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
The scoop: After the 2022 season, Busch and long-time partner Mars Wrigley will part ways, bringing an end to the iconic M&M's schemes. Still searching for a new sponsor and contract with JGR, Busch's future with the organization is in a bit of doubt. However, Toyota executive David Wilson said it would be unacceptable to let the two-time Cup Series champion walk.Time will tell if both parties can come to agreement and keep the future Hall of Famer at JGR.
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Ty Gibbs
Current ride: No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (Xfinity Series)
The scoop: A legacy and a growing phenom, young Gibbs has quickly set the Xfinity Series on fire with a mix of dazzling performances and controversial antics. Already a legitimate title contender, and some would argue favorite, Gibbs' home in Xfinity might not last very long. If one of the prior JGR seats should become vacant this offseason, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs could get the first look. But will he be ready?
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Daniel Suárez
Current ride: No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
The scoop: Suárez's win at Sonoma Raceway likely ensured a dual playoff appearance in the organization's first year as a multi-car operation. It's no secret that he has bounced around rides in the Cup Series, struggling to find footing with premier organizations at times in the past. But his resurgence at Trackhouse is blossoming into the prime of his career and with a new contract on the horizon, he believes he has finally found a home.
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Trackhouse Racing
New ride: No. 91 PROJECT91 Chevrolet
The scoop: As if co-owning with Pitbull and fielding the first Mexican-born driver to win a Cup Series race isn't enough, Justin Marks' birth of PROJECT91 is taking the organization even further on the international stage. Essentially a part-time ride fielded in events throughout the season, drivers across the globe from many different backgrounds can get a taste of NASCAR — starting with Kimi Raikkonen.
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Aric Almirola
Current ride: No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
The scoop: This one is official. After making his Cup Series debut in 2012, a decade later, Almirola announced that he is retiring from full-time competition.
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No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
The scoop: Almirola's departure leaves a very competitive ride with SHR open for bidding. Though the team's winning performance has taken a dip over the last year, this is still a ride that can contend for the playoffs year-in and year-out. With nothing official announced, let the debates begin on whether an accomplished veteran or a young talent will take the baton in 2023.
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Ryan Preece
Current ride: Part-time rides in all three national series
The scoop: Like others, Preece is a talented driver who has struggled to find footing in a full-time capacity. However, after showcasing his talent at each of NASCAR's top three levels this season, his patience might finally be a blessing in disguise. If you ask around, Preece is the natural fit to take over the No. 10 after Almirola's departure. Especially given his increased partnership with the team this season. But we have seen him end up as the odd man out before and, as far as we know, all the cards are still on the table.
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Kurt Busch
Current ride: No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
The scoop: Busch's move to Toyota made him only the second driver to wheel a car for each of NASCAR's last four manufacturers (including Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet) — Kasey Kahne was the first. Along similar lines, there just isn't much more that the 2004 champion and 22-year veteran hasn't accomplished. Though he is signed to a multi-year deal with 23XI, rumors circle around his retirement every year. But the spark found by bringing tremendous value to the young team, and proving he is still capable of winning, just might energize him even more.
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Tyler Reddick
Current ride: No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
The scoop: With a contract set to expire soon, RCR has an option on Reddick for the 2023 season. Though he is still searching for his first Cup Series win, his performance throughout much of the season should leave him in good standing for now. He already has more top fives than a season ago, two runner-up finishes and is 14th in points. However, in his third season with the team, failure to make the playoffs again could prove costly in the long run.
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Zane Smith
Current ride: No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford (Truck Series)
The scoop: Smith was thrust into the fire at World Wide Technology Raceway when it was announced he would fill in for Chris Buescher in the No. 17 Cup ride. In his first-ever start at the top level, Smith rolled to an impressive 17th-place finish and sent his stock rising through the roof. Sitting third in the Camping World Truck Series standings as the only full-time, multi-race winner, the 23-year-old could be in line for more than a Truck Series title.
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Noah Gragson
Current ride: No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (Xfinity Series)
The scoop: Gragson's inevitable promotion to the Cup Series is talked about routinely. But where would he be the best fit? With Hendrick Motorsports' stable full of long-term contracts, does a full-time ride and second entry for Kaulig Racing (alongside Justin Haley) make the most sense? He is already running a part-time schedule with the team this season.
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Erik Jones
Current ride: No. 43 Petty GMS Racing Chevrolet
The scoop: Jones is in his second year with the newly merged team (formerly Richard Petty Motorsports and GMS Racing, separately) and has been a bright spot for the organization. He ranks 16th in the current standings and is making a strong bid to make the Round of 16. Through 16 races, he only has one fewer top 10 than the entire 2021 season. Will the pairing continue to build on this success, or will Jones look to capitalize elsewhere?
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Chase Elliott
Current ride: No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The scoop: Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion and serial Most Popular Driver award winner, signed a five-year extension with the organization in February, locking the star in through the 2027 season.
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William Byron
Current ride: No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The scoop: Following his strongest season yet in 2021 and a blistering start to the 2022 season, Byron inked a three-year deal to keep him behind the wheel of the iconic No. 24.
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Stefan Parsons
Current ride: Part-time with Alpha Prime Racing (Xfinity Series)
The scoop: Parsons spent the first eleven races of the season in a part-time role with BJ McLeod Motorsports before making the mid-season shift to Alpha Prime Racing in search of more opportunities. He will still compete in the remaining three contracted races with BJMM at Pocono, the Charlotte ROVAL and Martinsville.
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