2021 Silly Season

The two most prominent sponsors on the #14 are Mobil 1 and Rush Truck Centers. It mostly depends on whether or not they feel comfortable with the current results or do they want to take a chance on building something with someone like Briscoe. We know Almirola and Smithfield are tied at the hip and the #41 is Haas-funded. The #14 is pretty unclear.

I know I’d like to see a change. Three and a half years in with two wins to show for it. 41 years old. You know what you’re getting at this point and it’s not a whole lot.
 
One has to wonder how long Briscoe is willing to stay in the Xfinity series. For instance, let's say the Kyle Larson-to-SHR thing ends up working out. Your driver lineup would be:
1. Harvick
2. Larson
3. Almirola
4. Custer
None of these drivers are going anywhere. As FLRacingFan stated, Almirola's relationship with Smithfield most likely outweighs his results (although he has done well this year). Someone mentioned Hendrick possibly going after Briscoe, which could be a real possibility given that Gragson is showing little to no maturity or situational awareness and Eric Jones is most likely going to stay in the Toyota camp.
 
Another question could be, if Larson is on the road to returning to the Cup series(it’s what everyone is assuming of course...), is 2021 when he has to have his big return, or what if he waits until 2022... possibly in the next year or two Harvick oops to retire?... Larson to the #4???

Im one who is looking at that number four car, and I can’t help but notice Kevin has been in Cup for almost 20 years... he’s in the age range where guys decide to step out... he’s still at the top of his game, but maybe he wants to end it that way, just a thought
 
JGR_20 said:
Another question could be, if Larson is on the road to returning to the Cup series(it’s what everyone is assuming of course...), is 2021 when he has to have his big return, or what if he waits until 2022... possibly in the next year or two Harvick oops to retire?... Larson to the #4???

Im one who is looking at that number four car, and I can’t help but notice Kevin has been in Cup for almost 20 years... he’s in the age range where guys decide to step out... he’s still at the top of his game, but maybe he wants to end it that way, just a thought
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He signed a contract extension with SHR through 2023
 
FLRacingFan said:
The two most prominent sponsors on the #14 are Mobil 1 and Rush Truck Centers. It mostly depends on whether or not they feel comfortable with the current results or do they want to take a chance on building something with someone like Briscoe. We know Almirola and Smithfield are tied at the hip and the #41 is Haas-funded. The #14 is pretty unclear.

I know I’d like to see a change. Three and a half years in with two wins to show for it. 41 years old. You know what you’re getting at this point and it’s not a whole lot.
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Clint is a sponsor sweetheart for sure.

Clint would be a good addition to any of the mid-pack teams. I doubt he would want to go backwards again. I'm still a fan of his, but his results are not matching up with what he has. Almirola is the same way, but he has Smithfield, so he isn't going anywhere and he's performing very well as of late.

Harvick has been carrying SHR since arriving, I'd like to see more competition within the team.
 
DIDIT said:
The other question to be answered is if Larson himself wants go back to NASCAR. He sure seems to be having a great time sprint car racing and his wife and son seem to be enjoying it too.
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Now the Tin Foilers will be saying he did it on purpose. :rolleyes:
 
MRM said:
He always said his passion was sprint cars and his job was NASCAR.
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You only have to watch how much fun Larson and his family is having right now to validate he was definitely shooting straight with us...and my hats off to him for that. Like I have said so many times this year, I would like to see him win a WOO championship next year before coming back to NASCAR... if he even chooses to come back. When you are one of the greatest of all time at what you are doing it has to be hard to want to do anything else.
 
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Whoever goes to the 48, I hope it becomes the 5 next year.
Jones is probably the most likely driver for that car which would give Gibbs the opportunity to move Bell to the 20.
With the way Preece has been running, the 37 might be available for 2021 too. LaJoie might be a good fit for JTG.
Briscoe could take the 32 if SHR moves him up.
 
I’d love to see Bubba in the 48. But ummmm yeah...

More likely to see him take a few turns in a JRM Xfinity car. He’s tried to buddy up with Jr on his DJD appearances.
 
wi_racefan said:
IMO the only way Clint isn't in the 14 is if someone else brings more money. I just don't see anyone else out there that they could hire that you could realistically expect to put up better numbers than clint on a regular basis

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
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Quinn Houff......has sponsorship money
 
Hawaii808 said:
I’d love to see Bubba in the 48. But ummmm yeah...

More likely to see him take a few turns in a JRM Xfinity car. He’s tried to buddy up with Jr on his DJD appearances.
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That would be awesome for Bubba but I think he staying with RPM. It will get interesting if days and weeks go by without any news of a contract extension. If I was Bubba I would keep my options open just in case.
 
Erinie_Irvan#4 said:
That would be awesome for Bubba but I think he staying with RPM. It will get interesting if days and weeks go by without any news of a contract extension. If I was Bubba I would keep my options open just in case.
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I think Bubba and all the extra curricular noise surrounding him would be too much for Rick Hendrick. Also I think that there will be better drivers available for the 48 car.
 
A lot of people didn't give Lally much respect when he ran Cup, but I thought he did a pretty good job considering his lack of experience in these cars and the team he was driving for. If I were looking for an experienced GT driver, He would definitely be on my short list.
 
Wonder if Jimmie Johnson will come back in 2021 and do the full season? After missing Indy, he talked about how much he missed not being in the car. And in earlier interviews, he talked about not getting to see/meet the fans as he visits tracks for the last time. I just have a feeling he may come back to give Gragson or somebody else another year before getting into the 48 in 2022.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I recall Jimmie has explicitly said 2020 will be the last year he runs Cup, and his plans have not changed due to the coronavirus shutdown. 17 races and he's gone.
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I have to wonder if Rick Hendrick will try to convince him otherwise. If Gragson or some other young prospect in the lower series is the heir of the 48, that driver will need at least another season of development. Gragson is a good driver, but he needs to learn better car control and stop pissing off everyone he races against.
 
Eh, I have thoroughly enjoyed Gragson this year. When he turned the silver spooned golden boy I thought it was shades of Sr. And I think anybody will think twice before they decide to shove him around. Check your jaw Burton. Gragson might get the same. One of the things we have lost over the years along with the fans is that the beating and banging has been replaced by rich kids running around driving expensive science projects. Could there be a correlation between the two? I think that is why I like the truck races so much, it reminds me of back in the day. With the tougher body in use in the Xfinity series, there is a lot of contact as these guys are able to race harder amungst themselves and yeah crashes are going to happen because of it. Nascar years ago back in Rusty's time told the drivers that for the "image" of Nascar AND the sponsors they needed to race cleaner. I think that was the beginning.
 
I think Jimmie wants to do a part time schedule, but can't find a deal to do so. Hendrick could give him that part-time deal & put Gragson in for the rest of the schedule.
 
`Pretty much my point above. Burton ends up on Sports center..acting like it was a problem while smiling the whole time

 
Charlie Spencer said:
Based on what evidence?
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“I’ve really never been driven by statistics,” Johnson said. “And I had this mind-opening experience of like, ‘Holy s---, I can really do whatever I want to. So why not?

“You build some momentum in that line of thought, all my heroes growing up, very few raced for championship points. They all hit the big, marquee events. Why couldn’t I do that? Why couldn’t I dream up a 15-race schedule that’s the most badass schedule that would make every driver envious and jealous?

“Why don’t I go do that? Is it money? I’m good there. Is it stats? I’m good there, too. Why not chase this dream situation? That’s where I sit.”
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Undoubtedly, it would be awesome to see Johnson back as a part timer. It could do wonders for him, maybe even rejuvenate him, like it did for Mark Martin.
 
I think JJ has enough money to do what ever he wants for the rest of his life.
I doubt a regular ride or even part time is what he is looking for. Family and fun
is his job now.
 
Team Penske said:
I think JJ has enough money to do what ever he wants for the rest of his life.
I doubt a regular ride or even part time is what he is looking for. Family and fun
is his job now.
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I think he'd much rather ride bikes and drink tequila with Lance Armstrong in Aspen (he has, will will probably do regular once retired).
 
I'm pretty sure that Bowyer is out at year end, but I'll doublecheck.

Pretty sure Jones is out at JGR at year end as well. Bob Leavine's recent likes and tweets seem to imply Bell is moving on up at least.

For Xfinity I'd wager Haley will be back at Kaulig.
 
ahhculdee said:
Wonder what the first domino to fall is. Got to wonder if teams are getting their ducks in a row for next year yet.
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The drivers/teams themselves surely have to have a pretty good idea of who’s going where. With so much red tape/sponsor agreements and everything else to discuss and lock down...

Jones, Bell, Brad, Johnson, Bowyer, Hamlin, Larson, ect... There’s no way most or all of these names don’t know what the 2021 season looks like...

just a matter of ‘when is the right time to start announcing things, and who should be the first to speak’.
 
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