NASCAR is coming off a historic weekend in Chicago, IL as the Chicago Street Course represented the first street course race in the sport’s history. It was an amazing event that was claimed by Trackhouse Racing driver Shane Van Gisbergen.
Let’s dive into this week’s NASCAR mailbag as plenty of news has taken place over the last week.
The future of JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, possibly NASCAR Cup Series
Joe Aynez on Twitter asked: “What does the future of (JR Motorsports) look like?”
I think, at least for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, it will look relatively the same compared to this year. JR Motorsports has Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Josh Berry, and Brandon Jones under contract in 2023.
Only Berry is currently set to leave for another organization as Stewart-Haas Racing tapped him to replace Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 car next season. Mayer has shown potential so it would be hard to imagine that he leaves the race team while Allgaier will always have a place.
Jones has sizable sponsorship from Menards and should improve as the season goes forward. As for the No. 8 car, I think Carson Hocevar, driver of the No. 42 truck for Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Truck Series, will end up replacing Berry as he is running cars from the organization’s shop.
The idea of JR Motorsports jumping to the NASCAR Cup Series is one that crosses people’s minds every year. It would be great to see the organization make the jump but due to the upcoming TV and charter deals, I don’t think that will end up happening for next season.
JR Motorsports has a bright future and that likely won’t change anytime soon. The organization has one driver already signed for the 2024 season but Kelley Earnhardt Miller wouldn’t reveal the driver yet.
Related: Final prediction on JR Motorsports’ potential move to NASCAR Cup Series in 2024
Todd Gilliland’s future in the NASCAR Cup Series beyond 2023
Cameron on Twitter asked: “Who do you think Todd Gilliland will race for in 2024?
Todd Gilliland deserves to have some options because his sophomore season with Front Row Motorsports has been really impressive. Gilliland has three top-10 finishes and sits 26th in the point standings but the start of 2023 was the impressive part.
I think it would be very smart for Front Row Motorsports to keep the driver of the No. 38 car beyond the 2023 season. It is hard to acquire young talent in NASCAR and it feels like there is only room to grow moving forward.
That being said, it feels like Gilliland deserves a shot at even better equipment. The only issue is his sponsorship as there might not be enough to merit an opportunity at a top ride. There is one team that cares about the overall talent aspect though.
Stewart-Haas Racing hired Berry and there is not much money surrounding his current situation. Would the organization pivot to Gilliland, who has talent but not the necessary money, instead of targeting his teammates Zane Smith and Michael McDowell?
Either way, the 23-year-old driver has a bright future in the Cup Series and it would be surprising to see him out of a ride next season. If so, NASCAR organizations don’t have priorities straight by letting a talent like Gilland sit on the sideline.
Related: Front Row Motorsports releases decision to make Todd Gilliland a part-time driver
Martin Truex Jr.’s future at Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series beyond 2023
Justin Thompson on Facebook asked: “Any idea on (Martin Truex Jr.)’s status in 2024? Will Truex return to (Joe Gibbs Racing) if he doesn’t retire or will he likely retire?”
Martin Truex Jr. has been one of NASCAR’s best drivers during the 2023 season and due to the success, plus excitement, that has come along with it, the overall expectation is that he will return for another year with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Truex struggled in 2022 and failed to make the NASCAR playoffs due to the lack of a victory; however, that has turned around as he leads the point standings halfway through 2023. The driver of the No. 19 car could be deemed the championship favorite.
If Truex doesn’t retire at the conclusion of the 2023 season, it would be a major surprise to see him anywhere else. Joe Gibbs Racing wants him to return and the sponsors on the No. 19 car also want to see him back.
It feels like last season was more up in the air when Truex was considering retirement. The debut campaign of the NextGen car did not go well for him and it drained some of the excitement from the No. 19 team.
This has been a comeback season and proves that Truex can still get it done on the race track. There is no arguing that he could win the NASCAR Cup Series championship and that is part of the reason why it would be surprising to see him leave.