2021 NASCAR thread

Also on Penske:

With Brad moving to the 6, this opens the 2. I don't think Cindric gets the 2 as a rookie. That's the company car and they want a specific personality in that seat. I don't even think Cindric is old enough to drink. I bet they move Blaney to the 2 and put Cindric in the 12, which is the company rookie car since the 77 went away.

 

Gordon is stepping away from the Fox booth and into the #2 position at HMS under Rick.

 

There are a LOT more moving parts for 2022 than we had in last year's silly season.

2022 Movements:
(from jayski, emphasis mine)

Drivers with contracts ending in 2021

• #1-Kurt Busch – Signed a multi-year deal in 2019 that expires this year. He brings Monster Energy sponsorship to the team. The Athletic has reported that he is a candidate to drive a second car for 23XI Racing.
• #2-Brad Keselowski – Signed a one year renewal in 2020. Reports have him moving to Roush Fenway and taking an ownership role with the team in addition to driving.
• #3-Austin Dillon – He’s not expected to go anywhere.
• #6-Ryan Newman – Believed to have signed a three-year contract in 2019, expiring at the end of 2021. Keselowski’s move to Roush could push Newman out if he wants to continue racing.
• #10-Aric Almirola – His seat is probably safe as long as Smithfield likes him.
• #17-Chris Buescher – Contract ends after 2021 but RFR says they expect him to remain with the team for “the next three years…but well beyond that”.
• #21-Matt DiBenedetto – Unknown plans at this point.
• #34-Michael McDowell – Believed to have a year-to-year contract. He says he wants to stay with the team.
• #37-Ryan Preece – Sponsorship and the lack of a charter has the status of this driver / team combo up in the air.
• #42-Ross Chastain – Contract length was not announced but believed to be one year.
• #47-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – JTG announced a “multi-year” agreement starting in 2020.
• #48-Alex Bowman – Rick Hendrick says they are working on a multi-year extension with Bowman.

Drivers with an unknown contract status:

• #00-Quin Houff – Likely year-to-year deal.
• #8-Tyler Reddick – No solid information on his contract status. He announced in August 2020, that he was returning to RCR in 2021.
• #20-Christopher Bell – JGR only announced that he was joining the team for 2021. However, he’s not expected to move.
• #38-Anthony Alfredo – Likely year-to-year deal.
• #41-Cole Custer – He’s not expected to move.
• #51-Cody Ware – Likely year-to-year deal.
• #52-Josh Bilicki – Likely year-to-year deal.
• #78-BJ McLeod – He’s part owner so he’s staying unless a driver comes to the team with sponsorship.
• #99-Daniel Suarez – He is believed to have a multi-year agreement, but details have not been announced.

New teams in 2022. These teams would want to secure a charter.

• GMS Racing announced that it will run Cup in 2022, but has not released any details for schedule, driver, etc.
• Kaulig Racing has confirmed they will run full-time. Justin Haley appears to be the favorite to drive, however, there are indications that Kaz Grala could be the favorite for the ride.
• There is speculation that 23XI Racing would like to expand to a second team. Kurt Busch has been linked to the ride.
• Trackhouse Racing is considering the addition of a second car.

 

This is a wise move all around. He's never hit his stride in the booth. Bowyer just makes it even more awkward. I don't particularly care for Bowyer as he plays the role of DW-lite in the booth, hamming it up. Rick put the right people in the right positions at HMS. Gordon is a corporate networking goldmine and he clearly has an eye for talent.

 

I'd really like to see Ryan continue on and would, in my eyes, be a great fit for Team Penske. Joey is the poster boy for that team and will be better off with Brad gone but Ryan could show Joey how to be a grown man, if nothing else.

 

Back to Pocono... I have Heat 5 and my most hated track is this one. I have spent hours trying to tackle it and still suck at it... I have mad respect for the drivers there.

 

Thought you guys would appreciate my paint on my ride!!

 

Classy!

 

Interesting concept... one of the YouTube channels I'm subscribed to does a mock Winston Cup points ranking every week... just to compare. If we're still in this era... even considering his dominance lately Kyle would still be in 2nd. Denny having a 2003 Matt Kenseth year staying on top with consistency.

 

Look at Mr. McDowell hanging tough in 14th.

 

Our family has a house 20 minutes from Pocono Raceway. Place is awesome! Decent vendor area to cruise thru before the races. Who ya got for the cup race folks? Im going to sprinkle some $$ on the 11 car. Winless thus far and won Pocono last year.

 

Kyle Larson has been on fire man. Its insane!

 

Someone else in the 21 got their first win here not so long ago... and Matty got 6th last year... maybe today's the day.

 

Pocono - remembering Davey Allison and Alan Kulwicki

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQhZ5Wir3U-/

 

We ready! Let’s do this

 

Because I haven't done this yet this season.

 

Congratulations JHN on win number 4 and beating boss man. Good run for KBM

 

him and Kyle Larson pride of NorCal!!

 

Holy Sh*T!!!!!!! Tough break for the 5 car

Congratulations, Alex Bowman and the entire 48 team

Great race!!!!

 

I was literally just thinking "that tire looks awful wrinkly for such a long run" before the splitter started scraping.