2022 Silly Season

donthaveanickname said:
Cindric to the 2 shouldn't be a surprise to anyone but I didn't see Burton joining the Wood Brothers.
I guess Nemechek is going to take over the #20 Xfinity car.
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I wouldn't be surprised if the young towheaded Gibbs leapfrogs over the trucks and lands in grandpaw's Xfinity car. "he's family"
 
I hate that for DiBenedetto, but at the same time, it is neat to see a Virginia driver from a family with a lot of racing history pair up with a longtime Virginia team. I would think he'd be a popular pick to get the Wood Brothers' 100th win if DiBenedetto isn't able to do it.

Unfortunately, I don't know that there are any good options available for DiBenedetto, aside from some uncertainty about who will drive for Trackhouse and 23XI. The only other potentially competitive option that comes to mind would be the new Kaulig team as Haley's teammate.
 
A quote from DiBenedetto's Twitter video (quote posted by Dustin Albino): DiBenedetto says he found out yesterday that he wouldn't be returning to the 21 next year. Also added he's very thankful for the opportunity, but the 21 team "has been broken for a while... wasn't clicking."
 
DiBenedetto is about out of options at the Cup level. He’s a good racer. But things just didn’t click with WBR. He really needed to get a win or two to keep his stock up.

Unfortunately he just hasn’t done enough to warrant a top level ride at this level. Maybe FRM 38 is an option if they dump Alfredo. Otherwise he’s looking at Xfinity/Trucks. Unless he wants to ride around in RWR junk.
 
JBone88 said:
DiBenedetto is about out of options at the Cup level. He’s a good racer. But things just didn’t click with WBR. He really needed to get a win or two to keep his stock up.

Unfortunately he just hasn’t done enough to warrant a top level ride at this level. Maybe FRM 38 is an option if they dump Alfredo. Otherwise he’s looking at Xfinity/Trucks. Unless he wants to ride around in RWR junk.
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Not sure what happened, it was a very slow start and it wasn't until halfway in the season until changes were made.

Not ideal, but I like the video. You can tell he's pissed, however he was very controlled in his emotions. A lot of blame on himself, but the team made the change too late and this was the cost of it.

Matt D is no bad driver by any stretch, it just did not pan out for him. He's not done, but it will be an uphill battle for him. He should gun for one of the new teams to get involved with like GMS or Kaulig. I actually think him stepping down to Xfinity would be a good reset. I like Matt and I hope he finds a solid car to get into.
 
Matt D has had a few grade A chances to get wins and has failed to close the deal. I understand why people like him but at the end of the day you have to win. Erik Jones won a few races for JGR and they couldn't wait to boot him out the door for someone younger who was the hot name after just a few seasons. And to this point, that move has been a wash imo. Just the way the game goes
 
JBone88 said:
DiBenedetto is about out of options at the Cup level. He’s a good racer. But things just didn’t click with WBR. He really needed to get a win or two to keep his stock up.

Unfortunately he just hasn’t done enough to warrant a top level ride at this level. Maybe FRM 38 is an option if they dump Alfredo. Otherwise he’s looking at Xfinity/Trucks. Unless he wants to ride around in RWR junk.
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Ford as a whole has had a down year. I don't think performance was the driving force in the decision to replace him.
 
Kiante said:
Not sure what happened, it was a very slow start and it wasn't until halfway in the season until changes were made.

Not ideal, but I like the video. You can tell he's pissed, however he was very controlled in his emotions. A lot of blame on himself, but the team made the change too late and this was the cost of it.

Matt D is no bad driver by any stretch, it just did not pan out for him. He's not done, but it will be an uphill battle for him. He should gun for one of the new teams to get involved with like GMS or Kaulig. I actually think him stepping down to Xfinity would be a good reset. I like Matt and I hope he finds a solid car to get into.
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Yeah it felt like an odd pairing from the jump. He got the 21 in the first place because Paul Menard abruptly retired and wanted him to have the seat. Don’t know that Roger was ever fully on board with that move.

Then they sort of plebed along until finally they changed the CC. Performance just hasn’t been there. The Wood’s Twitter mentions this every week about the lack of speed in the car.

I don’t think anyone dislikes Matt. He’s a good guy. He just didn’t do enough in that seat. Outside of a couple almost wins at Talladega, and 2nd at Vegas. He needed to overperform like he did at BK Racing which is what put him on the radar.

He needs to make the decision whether he wants to ride around in 27th in Cup, or drop down a level and get a ride he could actually compete in. Nothing wrong with him becoming another Allgaier or Hemric type.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
Matt D has had a few grade A chances to get wins and has failed to close the deal. I understand why people like him but at the end of the day you have to win. Erik Jones won a few races for JGR and they couldn't wait to boot him out the door for someone younger who was the hot name after just a few seasons. And to this point, that move has been a wash imo. Just the way the game goes.
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He's still got time to figure it out as an tryout for next season.

I'd rather see Matt D in the 98 than Riley Herbst...lol. In all seriousness, there are opportunties... It just won't be a solid Cup team unless someone like a JTG has a change in heart of their drivers.
 
JBone88 said:
More likely Ty Gibbs. Unless they keep the 54 open for JHN. Or boot Hemric or Brandon Jones to make room.
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I should have specified that I expect Nemechek to join JGR if they keep running 4 cars. Ty is going to be full-time for sure.
Jones is probably not going anywhere as he's an important sponsor for the team, much like Annett is for JRM.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
Matt D has had a few grade A chances to get wins and has failed to close the deal. I understand why people like him but at the end of the day you have to win. Erik Jones won a few races for JGR and they couldn't wait to boot him out the door for someone younger who was the hot name after just a few seasons. And to this point, that move has been a wash imo. Just the way the game goes
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Agreed.
 
JBone88 said:
Yeah it felt like an odd pairing from the jump. He got the 21 in the first place because Paul Menard abruptly retired and wanted him to have the seat. Don’t know that Roger was ever fully on board with that move.

Then they sort of plebed along until finally they changed the CC. Performance just hasn’t been there. The Wood’s Twitter mentions this every week about the lack of speed in the car.

I don’t think anyone dislikes Matt. He’s a good guy. He just didn’t do enough in that seat. Outside of a couple almost wins at Talladega, and 2nd at Vegas. He needed to overperform like he did at BK Racing which is what put him on the radar.

He needs to make the decision whether he wants to ride around in 27th in Cup, or drop down a level and get a ride he could actually compete in. Nothing wrong with him becoming another Allgaier or Hemric type.
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He's well-rounded driver, but I think WBR felt as if he could bring them back to victory lane and it didn't happen.

He's proven himself to be a pretty solid shoe, just didn't have that same spark like Blaney did for WBR. Just hard to justify keeping him and honestly its better to be let go now. It gives him time to find another seat without all the crazy scrambling, none of this "Give time to evaluate" mess.
 
I can see why Penske went with Harrison Burton. He's clean cut and can speak in complete sentences. Burton comes from a racing family and knows the game. He knows he has to get results at the cup level. Totally different environment than with JGR.
 
kkfan91 said:
I hope Matt D can land a solid Xfinity or Truck ride since I doubt he will have good opportunities in Cup.
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As much as Denny loves him, I hope he puts Matt in a 23XI ride and Kurt goes to Trackhouse.

Matt has had his share of bad runs but it’s also coupled with bad luck and pit road mistakes out of his control. Just hasnt had a good first half of the season at all.
 
Who would of thought that Kurt would be the hot commodity in silly season? The few broadcasts I saw with him I was really impressed and I think this might be the opportunity to go out as a winner. Just not sure he's ready to hang it up yet.

For me the perfect thing would be to see him on fox and run a partial truck schedule the second half of the year.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
As much as Denny loves him, I hope he puts Matt in a 23XI ride and Kurt goes to Trackhouse.

Matt has had his share of bad runs but it’s also coupled with bad luck and pit road mistakes out of his control. Just hasnt had a good first half of the season at all.
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I know I heard on a podcast somewhere that they actually thought Ross had a better shot of being the future of trackhouse over Kurt. I guess Trackhouse had some serious talks with Ross prior to signing Daniel for this season. If you want to build for the future you have to be realistic and know that Kurt's only got a couple more years in him. Either way I think both would be a good choice.
 
wi_racefan said:
Who would of thought that Kurt would be the hot commodity in silly season? The few broadcasts I saw with him I was really impressed and I think this might be the opportunity to go out as a winner. Just not sure he's ready to hang it up yet.

For me the perfect thing would be to see him on fox and run a partial truck schedule the second half of the year.
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Kurt is a badass racer. Honestly on the short of list of guys I’d call if I was starting a team and needed a driver to build around.

He just burned too many bridges a decade ago. If he spent his prime in cars matching his talent level, he’d have 10+ more wins and maybe another title.

IMO he’s better than Denny Hamlin. Who has 11 more wins in Cup. Denny has been driving JGR cars his entire career. Kurt has bounced around since getting let go at Penske. The majority of his prime years spent at Phoenix, Furniture Row (pre Pearn), SHR (never got the attention Harvick did), and now Ganassi. That’s the difference.

I’d love to see Kurt get a Mark Martin like late career jolt. He can still wheel it, as he’s proving right now.
 
JBone88 said:
Kurt is a badass racer. He just burned too many bridges a decade ago. If he spent his prime in cars matching his talent level, he’d have 10+ more wins and maybe another title.

IMO he’s better than Denny Hamlin. Who has 11 more wins in Cup. Denny has been driving JGR cars his entire career. Kurt has bounced around since getting let go at Penske. The majority of his prime years spent at Phoenix, Furniture Row (pre Pearn), SHR (never got the attention Harvick did), and now Ganassi. That’s the difference.

I’d love to see Kurt get a Mark Martin like late career jolt. He can still wheel it, as he’s proving right now.
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Kurt still hast the talent here to race in his late 40's... the question is if he wants to and if the good seat is there. I agree he'd have more wins and maybe another Cup if he didnt burn the bridge at Penske. I often wonder what Kurt could have done in a Hendrick car if he had left Penske on good terms... could you imagine him in that 5 right after Mark got out of it? Whew.
 
Snappy D said:
Kurt still hast the talent here to race in his late 40's... the question is if he wants to and if the good seat is there. I agree he'd have more wins and maybe another Cup if he didnt burn the bridge at Penske. I often wonder what Kurt could have done in a Hendrick car if he had left Penske on good terms... could you imagine him in that 5 right after Mark got out of it? Whew.
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I agree. I don’t know if Kurt wants to be around too much longer though. He has mentioned a interest in broadcasting a couple times now. I definitely think he’s got one more contract in him.

It appears the options are Trackhouse and 23XI. Not exactly top teams. But both have the bankroll to throw a bag his way. And the ownership ambition to build performance wise. Put him in either car, and I guarantee he puts them in victory lane.
 
StandOnIt said:
I wouldn't be surprised if the young towheaded Gibbs leapfrogs over the trucks and lands in grandpaw's Xfinity car. "he's family"
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WE don't have a paw at JGR....that is the Childress mess.
 
ChexOrWrex said:
As much as Denny loves him, I hope he puts Matt in a 23XI ride and Kurt goes to Trackhouse.

Matt has had his share of bad runs but it’s also coupled with bad luck and pit road mistakes out of his control. Just hasnt had a good first half of the season at all.
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Matt does not make 23XI better. That can't happen.
 
StandOnIt said:
I can see why Penske went with Harrison Burton. He's clean cut and can speak in complete sentences. Burton comes from a racing family and knows the game. He knows he has to get results at the cup level. Totally different environment than with JGR.
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The ink wasn't dry, and you are a Burton fan. The environment at JGR is so bad....Hell, it's Penske that is breaking up. You never disappoint.
 
JBone88 said:
I agree. I don’t know if Kurt wants to be around too much longer though. He has mentioned a interest in broadcasting a couple times now. I definitely think he’s got one more contract in him.

It appears the options are Trackhouse and 23XI. Not exactly top teams. But both have the bankroll to throw a bag his way. And the ownership ambition to build performance wise. Put him in either car, and I guarantee he puts them in victory lane.
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If RC had the money, sponsors and people I wish he'd end up at RCR in a 3rd car. I think he'd do wonders for them and speed up their upward trajectory they've been showing this season. This is just me throwing $hit at the wall, a fan's wish if you will. I think you're right, its going to be Marks team or Denny/MJ team for Kurt. He's really good at broadcasting, but I dont want to lose him on track just yet.
 
StandOnIt said:
I can see why Penske went with Harrison Burton. He's clean cut and can speak in complete sentences. Burton comes from a racing family and knows the game. He knows he has to get results at the cup level. Totally different environment than with JGR.
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Ford badly needed to poach a young driver. With Cindric and Briscoe both in/headed to Cup, they don’t have much in the pipeline. Their options in house are Herbst(lol), Gilliland, and Deegan who’s nowhere near Cup ready.

Harrison Burton doesn’t jump off the page at you, but he’s a solid racer. Good bloodlines, good in front of the camera, and most importantly has sponsors behind him. He fits better with the Penske bunch than he ever did at JGR.
 
Snappy D said:
Truth right here.
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Yep.

I still remember the few starts he had with Joe Gibbs in his early days... Had a chance to win at Road America, but spun off the track in the last corner. Or either he was in second. That was like 2010 or something, its been so long ago.

Not elite, but can certainly be a good driver anywhere. He's proven that and wheeled junk before putting them in good positions. It's a waiting game for him now, unfortunately.
 
Revman said:
The ink wasn't dry, and you are a Burton fan. The environment at JGR is so bad....Hell, it's Penske that is breaking up. You never disappoint.
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as long as he doesn't get around Gragson he should be fine. I am really hoping for C.Bell to sprout wings myself.
 
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