Austin Konenski
JR Motorsports had a rough start to the 2023 NASCAR season based on the high expectations set every single year. The organization failed to win a race through the first 11 races for the first time since the 2012 season before Justin Allgaier won at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
As for the other drivers, Josh Berry is having a spectacular campaign after substituting for Hendrick Motorsports on two separate occasions while both Sam Mayer and Brandon Jones are fighting to make the playoffs.
In fact, Berry is working toward finalizing a contract with Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series which leaves JR Motorsports with a sticky situation. Who will replace Berry in the No. 8 car for the 2024 season?
Related: JR Motorsports talks about losing talented drivers to the NASCAR Cup Series
JR Motorsports should hire this NASCAR talent to replace Josh Berry in the No. 8 car
JR Motorsports will likely have one seat to fill in its driver lineup as Berry is working toward a deal with Stewart-Haas Racing. This would be the second straight season the organization has lost a driver to the NASCAR Cup Series.
Noah Gragson left JR Motorsports after a dominant 2022 season to drive the No. 42 for Legacy Motor Club at NASCAR’s top level. Brandon Jones replaced Gragson in the No. 9 car and currently sits outside of the playoff picture.
Now, Berry is likely going to leave the team in a similar situation. This brings us to the question of who replaces the 32-year-old driver at JR Motorsports next season. There should be one name on top of the list.
Carson Hocevar currently drives the No. 42 truck for Niece Motorsports in the NASCAR Truck Series and has been really successful throughout the 2023 season. Hocevar won his first career Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway and has performed well in the Xfinity Series.
The 20-year-old driver has two top-10 finishes in three starts with Spire Motorsports. In fact, the organization has technical support from JR Motorsports. Hocevar’s car has essentially been a fifth entry from the organization and he has talked to co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Hocevar also made his NASCAR Cup Series debut with Spire Motorsports at World Wide Technology Raceway. Corey LaJoie, the original driver of the No. 7 car, replaced Chase Elliott at Hendrick Motorsports after he was suspended for intentionally right-rear hooking Denny Hamlin.
The Michigan native ran incredibly well before an issue with his brakes resulted in a crash. Overall, Hocevar has run pretty well throughout the 2023 season and will undoubtedly be going to the next level soon.
JR Motorsports is the obvious landing spot for Hocevar and the team should push to put him in the No. 8 car for the 2024 season. Hocevar has been problematic with his on-track behavior but that is starting to get better. Therefore, it is a perfect fit for both parties.
If Hocevar does not end up replacing Berry, which drivers could be potential options for JR Motorsports? Continue reading to find out the three ideal candidates for the No. 8 car in 2024!
Related: JR Motorsports driver lineup in NASCAR becomes uncertain for 2024
3 ideal candidates to replace Josh Berry at JR Motorsports
JR Motorsports is one of the best NASCAR Xfinity Series organizations so an opening in their driver lineup would be a highly pursued seat. If it is not Hocevar, who else would make sense for the race team?
Ty Majeski currently drives the No. 98 truck for ThorSport Racing in the NASCAR Truck Series and has been one of the best drivers in the division since the start of the 2022 playoffs. Majeski, 28, is one point behind points leader Corey Heim in the point standings.
The 28-year-old driver has a lot of talent and should be moving up in NASCAR sooner rather than later. Majeski would be a good fit for JR Motorsports as he has made a name for himself in the Truck Series with ThorSport Racing.
Christian Eckes currently drives for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing and has looked incredible in the No. 19 truck this season. Eckes, 22, could easily have more than two victories and could be poised to make the jump soon.
The 22-year-old driver will be among the championship favorites and while he has never driven an Xfinity Series car, it wouldn’t be unprecedented to make the jump without any experience. Eckes feels like the most unrealistic option on the list but the talent is present.
Ryan Truex is working with Joe Gibbs Racing Racing to secure a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series next season but what if it doesn’t work out? Truex, 31, has demonstrated that he can win in NASCAR and should be in a full-time ride for 2024.
The 31-year-old driver should have plenty of options if Joe Gibbs Racing can’t work out a contract. Truex would be a brilliant addition to JR Motorsports and likely the best option. The issue would be sponsorship but there’s no doubt that he would win races.
JR Motorsports will have plenty of options as they possess some of the best equipment in the Xfinity Series garage. With Berry on the way to the NASCAR Cup Series, it gives them a chance to present an amazing opportunity to a young driver looking for a shot.
