re: 2023 NASCAR Season Thread - 2023-24 Offseason

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You tried to change it to one driver and missed the whole point.

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You said Kyle was down. I pointed out that other than two races in span of races that wasn’t true.

You responded

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If you watched races you would know he wasn’t running great in all those races.

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I simply asked what races?

You deflect answering the question. And no I did not miss the point. I chose not to entertain your point when your point begins with

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I said it before but earlier this year Nascar kept taking HMS cars to tear down and now Toyotas and Fords are dominating. Someone leaked out info imo, because its not just one team doing better it’s all Toyotas and Fords. They all got better around same time. Feels like Nascar is going WWE.

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And

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On top of that it seems something is fishy with other 2 makes making such a leap so quickly. That doesn’t happen overnight yet it has. I suspect (no proof) someone leaked out info from early season teardowns. Notice they are not doing them as much now. And if its someone inside the tear down shop Nascar won’t publicize it else it ruins the supposed confidentiality of tear down process. Its the perfect way for Nascar to leak things to underperforming teams and would only take one person of the several involved.

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Sorry if I don’t engage in the conspiracy, NASCAR leaking HMS secrets, wearing tin foil hats theory. I chose to argue a point that actually had facts.

Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus both named to the Hall of Fame, along with Donnie Allison

The crazy thing is the vote percentages:

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Not unanimous. Johnson received 93% of Modern Era ballot votes; Knaus received 81%. Harry Gant finished third, followed by Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards. Donnie Allison received 53% of the Pioneer ballot votes. Banjo Matthews finished second.

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Some silly season notes.

Notes From The Athletic Article:

• Martin Truex Jr’s status is still up in the air for 2024. From a JGR source, “In the spring I was convinced he was coming back. But, today, I’m not as certain.”
• If Truex doesn’t return Toyota has a contingency plan in place being John Hunter Nemechek
• Denny Hamlin will be back w JGR in 2024 it’s just a matter of when the deal gets done.
• “A resolution on Front Row Motorsports’ 2024 Cup lineup is expected soon. This timeline being a departure of how the team typically operates, often waiting until the offseason to set its roster.”
• Carson Hocevar ha? been linked to several prominent Cup and Xfinity teams. Team he’s most linked to is Spire Motorsports as a candidate to replace the struggling Ty Dillon in the No.77
• Multiple SHR sources believe it’s a “very good chance” Aric Almirola steps away from full-time racing.
• Michael McDowell and Zane Smith have been mentioned as candidates for the potential No. 10 opening but a lot is dependent on Smithfield Foods returning as primary sponsor. If they don’t return, SHR could look to a driver who brings funding for the No. 10
• Kaulig Racing is reportedly talking to four different candidates for the No. 31, with Austin Hill being the favorite as he brings on track success and sponsorship money.
• Austin Hill is “in demand” as Kaulig is not the only offer he has. Hill told The Athletic that it was “50/50” whether he’d move to Cup or return to Xfinity.
• Harrison Burton is expected to return for a 3rd season in the No. 21 for the Wood Brothers.
• Shane Van Gisbergen believed to be moving to NASCAR full-time in 2024. In addition to Trackhouse, at least one other team is believed to be open to the possibility of signing SVG
• Legacy Motor Club could be replacing Noah Gragson with John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 car in 2024.
• On Gragson “The underperformance isn’t all Gragson’s fault - he is a rookie, after all, with a rebuilding organization. Still, sometimes it’s not just a great fit between driver and team. And nothing has been determined; there’s still the possibility that Gragson returns for a 2nd year.”
• Legacy and Toyota are “very high on” Erik Jones who will continue in the No. 43 car.

Also two other bits that came out today. Lajoie re-signs with spire. I think Andretti ends up either buying in or buying out spire.

SVG running the truck race for Niece at IRP. That will be interesting.

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4 voters left Jimmie Johnson of their ballots. They should be stripped of their voting rights.

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Agreed.

At best, it's gross negligence. At worst, it's just plain stupidity.

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Shane Van Gisbergen believed to be moving to NASCAR full-time in 2024. In addition to Trackhouse, at least one other team is believed to be open to the possibility of signing SVG

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Am I missing where Trackhouse can find another charter to sign SVG? Suarez has obviously struggled, so it's possible they dump him, but he just signed a multi-year deal at the beginning of the season. I'm not convinced they want to swap him out for SVG, even with the Chicago win. At least not yet.

If Almirola is leaning towards retirement, SHR seems like the other team they're talking about who would be interested. I guess we'll see what happens in Indianapolis.

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I’m not interested in some kids’ father, coming and buying their way into the Cup Series,” Stewart admitted.“I have zero interest in that. We want guys that earn their way that work hard, that understand the values that it takes to be a top tier driver

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So he hires a guy with zero wins this year in top tier equipment. Brilliant.

Stewart-Haas has managed to assemble the worst stable of drivers of any major team in the cup series.

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Harrison Burton is expected to return for a 3rd season in the No. 21 for the Wood Brothers.

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I would move on if I was the Wood Brothers.

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Harrison Burton is expected to return for a 3rd season in the No. 21 for the Wood Brothers.

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Best choice they’ve made since firing David Pearson

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“I’m not interested in some kids’ father, coming and buying their way into the Cup Series,” Stewart admitted.“I have zero interest in that. We want guys that earn their way that work hard, that understand the values that it takes to be a top tier driver

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That is funny.