JR Motorsports will have at least one ride to fill in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the 2024 season after Josh Berry was announced to replace Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 car for Stewart-Haas Racing starting next year.
Berry, 32, currently drives the No. 8 car for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series and will leave an opening for the 2024 season. Fortunately for the organization, this is something that it has grown accustomed to over the years.
Last year, JR Motorsports needed to replace Noah Gragson after he vacated the No. 9 car for the No. 42 car at Legacy Motor Club. With past experience, the organization discussed the process of replacing Berry in the No. 8 car for 2024.
JR Motorsports discusses replacing Josh Berry, reveals interesting detail about 2024 lineup
JR Motorsports had a slow start to the 2023 NASCAR season but finally turned it around with its first win when Justin Allgaier came home victorious at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It took 12 races for the organization to reach victory lane for the first time since 2012.
The NASCAR team is used to success in the Xfinity Series. JR Motorsports has three championships and 74 Xfinity Series victories in the last 19 years with more likely on the way very soon.
Related: JR Motorsports talks about losing talented drivers to the NASCAR Cup Series
Therefore, it was a poor start to the season for the organization’s standards. Allgaier has been the only JR Motorsports driver in victory lane; however, Berry has been winning in different ways with a promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series coming in 2024.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller, the co-owner and CEO of JR Motorsports, jumped on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio last week and talked about replacing Berry. Plus, Earnhardt Miller reveals a very intriguing detail about the team’s 2024 driver lineup.
(JR Motorsports) want(s) to take our time and make sure that we get the right situation. The right situation makes sense for our current drivers, our current teams, setups, how everything looks, sponsors.. One beauty of the situation, I’ll be honest, we have one car signed for 2024. Not only do we have (Josh Berry)’s ride open, but there are two other cars that are not signed for now. With that being said, I fully expect a couple of those to return. I’m not saying we have that many cars open. If you just look at it on paper, I’ve got one signature that confirms they have a 2024 ride.”
Kelley Earnhardt Miller on replacing Josh Berry at JR Motorsports
Earnhardt Miller is correct in the idea that it takes time to make these decisions. It is nearing July 2023 but JR Motorsports has plenty of time to complete their driver lineup for the 2024 season. Also, Earnhardt Miller revealed an interesting detail about next year.
The organization already has one car signed for the 2024 season. Earnhardt Miller didn’t go into detail but it is certainly interesting to find that out. Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Brandon Jones are the three drivers outside of Berry for the organization this year.
JR Motorsports is one of NASCAR’s powerhouse organizations in the Xfinity Series so any open ride in their driver lineup will be highly pursued. This was the case last season when Jones brought Menards to replace Gragson in the No. 9 car.
Now, the battle to replace Berry in the No. 8 car has begun. Who will replace the newly crowned Stewart-Haas Racing driver for the 2024 season? Continue reading to find out three ideal candidates for the No. 8 car!
Related: Final prediction on JR Motorsports’ potential move to NASCAR Cup Series in 2024
3 ideal candidates to join JR Motorsports for the 2024 NASCAR season
JR Motorsports needs to fill the No. 8 car as Berry moves to the NASCAR Cup Series and they should have plenty of options. The organization brings elite equipment every week and it is an opportunity to change a career.
Carson Hocevar is the most obvious choice to replace Berry next year. Hocevar, 20, is in the midst of a breakout season in the NASCAR Truck Series with Niece Motorsports as he has two wins at Texas Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway.
The 20-year-old driver has made starts for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series but the equipment is coming from JR Motorsports’ shop. Hocevar is one of the favorites and should be ready to move up next year.
Christian Eckes is another solid option in the Chevrolet camp as he also has been good in the Truck Series. Eckes, 22, has two victories for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Darlington Raceway.
The 22-year-old driver is improving his status as a NASCAR prospect and could be getting looks in the Xfinity Series soon. Eckes will only improve and JR Motorsports could take an opportunity on his overall talent.
Ryan Truex represents a good option for JR Motorsports as he would make the No. 8 car a championship contender right off the bat. Truex, 31, is working on a deal with Joe Gibbs Racing but could be available to other teams.
The 31-year-old driver finally broke out for his first NASCAR victory at Dover Motor Speedway and would be a great addition to the organization. With in-house sponsors available, Truex could be near the top of the list.
As said above, JR Motorsports will have plenty of options available to them as they represent one of NASCAR’s powerhouse organizations. The chase for a replacement has begun and it will not be quiet until there is an announcement.