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Six candidates to watch as potential drivers for Trackhouse’s second car in 2022
By Staff Report | Thursday, July 1, 2021
Dontre Graves | NASCAR Digital Media
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A major shake-up in NASCAR Cup Series team ownership will have ripple effects on the look of the driver roster for 2022 and beyond. Trackhouse Racing plans to continue with Daniel Suarez in its No. 99 Chevrolet with a second full-time driver to be named later. With Silly Season movement still ramping up, here's an early look at a half-dozen potential candidates for that second role with Trackhouse.
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Kurt Busch
The former Cup Series champion is a logical choice to stick with the team as it transforms from Chip Ganassi Racing into new ownership. But the other possibilities for Busch are similarly intriguing. If the swirling reports have heft, he could also add a veteran presence in a second entry with 23XI Racing -- another new team on the block. Wherever he lands, expect him to get the most of his car, unless a broadcasting role imminently beckons as a second career.
The former Cup Series champion is a logical choice to stick with the team as it transforms from Chip Ganassi Racing into new ownership. But the other possibilities for Busch are similarly intriguing. If the swirling reports have heft, he could also add a veteran presence in a second entry with 23XI Racing -- another new team on the block. Wherever he lands, expect him to get the most of his car, unless a broadcasting role imminently beckons as a second career.
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Ross Chastain
As one of two drivers currently in a Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, Chastain’s name is naturally going to be linked to this opening. In his media availability after the news of Trackhouse’s purchase of Ganassi’s NASCAR operation was announced, Trackhouse owner Justin Marks acknowledged that Chastain is on the short list of candidates that the team is considering. The 28-year-old has made strides over the last month-plus with two top-seven finishes on road courses and a runner-up finish at Nashville. The results so far in 2021 show a driver that is certainly deserving of more opportunities in a Cup car.
As one of two drivers currently in a Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, Chastain’s name is naturally going to be linked to this opening. In his media availability after the news of Trackhouse’s purchase of Ganassi’s NASCAR operation was announced, Trackhouse owner Justin Marks acknowledged that Chastain is on the short list of candidates that the team is considering. The 28-year-old has made strides over the last month-plus with two top-seven finishes on road courses and a runner-up finish at Nashville. The results so far in 2021 show a driver that is certainly deserving of more opportunities in a Cup car.
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Matt DiBenedetto
Uncertainty remains for Matty D., who is in his final season in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford before Austin Cindric moves in. But the hints at a move for Team Penske veteran Brad Keselowski leave DiBenedetto in play there. Enter Trackhouse, perhaps? A role with Justin Marks' venture could provide some stability for a driver now with his fourth team in seven Cup Series seasons.
Uncertainty remains for Matty D., who is in his final season in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford before Austin Cindric moves in. But the hints at a move for Team Penske veteran Brad Keselowski leave DiBenedetto in play there. Enter Trackhouse, perhaps? A role with Justin Marks' venture could provide some stability for a driver now with his fourth team in seven Cup Series seasons.
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Ryan Newman
Speaking of reliable veteran presences, Newman stands a chance to provide some steady security if Trackhouse comes calling. Still, his status with current team Roush Fenway Racing is undetermined for 2022, and he'll be 44 years old entering his 21st full season next year. Newman is on record as expressing his desire to keep racing and accomplish more career goals. Trackhouse could be the place to do it.
Speaking of reliable veteran presences, Newman stands a chance to provide some steady security if Trackhouse comes calling. Still, his status with current team Roush Fenway Racing is undetermined for 2022, and he'll be 44 years old entering his 21st full season next year. Newman is on record as expressing his desire to keep racing and accomplish more career goals. Trackhouse could be the place to do it.
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John Hunter Nemechek
When Nemechek went back to the Camping World Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports, he made it known he was doing it to chase wins and a championship. The wins have been plentiful for the 24-year-old — he has five this season through 13 races — and he is the series’ points leader. His one-year Cup run at Front Row Motorsports saw him score three top 10s but post the best average finish (22.3) in team history by a driver not named Michael McDowell. Trackhouse would certainly be a step up in equipment from that and a Daniel Suarez-Nemechek stable is certainly a nice foundation to continue to grow and build on.
When Nemechek went back to the Camping World Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports, he made it known he was doing it to chase wins and a championship. The wins have been plentiful for the 24-year-old — he has five this season through 13 races — and he is the series’ points leader. His one-year Cup run at Front Row Motorsports saw him score three top 10s but post the best average finish (22.3) in team history by a driver not named Michael McDowell. Trackhouse would certainly be a step up in equipment from that and a Daniel Suarez-Nemechek stable is certainly a nice foundation to continue to grow and build on.
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Noah Gragson
Lace 'em up, rookie? The 22-year-old Gragson could make sense if Trackhouse wants to skew younger, adding him to the mix with the 29-year-old Suarez. Such a move would keep him in the Chevrolet fold, but Gragson's uneven Xfinity Series season so far with JR Motorsports makes him more of a wild-card prospect than an obvious choice for promotion to Cup.
Lace 'em up, rookie? The 22-year-old Gragson could make sense if Trackhouse wants to skew younger, adding him to the mix with the 29-year-old Suarez. Such a move would keep him in the Chevrolet fold, but Gragson's uneven Xfinity Series season so far with JR Motorsports makes him more of a wild-card prospect than an obvious choice for promotion to Cup.
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