As the NASCAR Cup Series hits the halfway point in the season, the hot stove of rumors is starting to heat up. While all silly seasons are fun, the 2023 silly season seems to be less intriguing than last year’s. With Ross Chastain and Alex Bowman signing extensions before any serious free agency talks could occur, the free agent market and open rides is a bit underwhelming. The best known open ride is Kevin Harvick’s spot at Stewart-Haas Racing. That is reportedly already been filled by Josh Berry. After that, the list of intriguing openings is slim. Compared to the 2022 silly season, this year’s is tame.
The 2022 silly season saw a flurry of notable moves across the three series. Toyota and Chevy essentially traded Kyle Busch and KBM for Tyler Reddick. With KBM leaving, the team formerly known as David Gilliland Racing turned into TRICON Garage. In more ridiculous naming moves, Jimmie Johnson bought stake into Petty-GMS Racing and the team renamed itself to the Legacy Motor Club. In the Xfinity Series, Kaulig Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing had massive turnover for their teams. All of those moves barely scratches the surface of what the 2022 silly season offered. It was a year of constantly checking Twitter to see what next rumor leaked or move was announced.
As with any sport, NASCAR free agency is not a guaranteed business. While many can speculate how well (or poorly) a move will go, it cannot be seen until the cars/trucks hit the track. Some moves might seem to be a slam dunk success then end up being catastrophic. Meanwhile, a nothing-burger move can turn into the best signing of the silly season. With the off weekend behind us, this article will examine the 2022 silly season moves and review them. As a note, this will only review fulltime moves across the three series. Also, only moves that saw a driver leave one ride to go to different ride (no resigning). Teams that do multi-driver teams will not be included.
2022 Silly Season: Cup Series
Rowdy Returns to Chevy
Kyle Busch to RCR #8
2023 Stats: 16 Starts, 3 Wins, 5 Top-5s, 9 Top-10s, 1 Pole, 214 laps led, 12.1 AVG Finish
Heading into the 2022 silly season rumor mill, there was mild speculation that Kyle Busch would be leaving Joe Gibbs Racing. While many thought him resigning with JGR would be a formality, it turned into a disaster that saw Busch leave JGR and Toyota to drive for Richard Childress. Busch, who was signed to drive the 8 car, would be pushing Tyler Reddick out of his ride a year earlier than expected. Remember, earlier in the 2022 silly season, it was announced Reddick was going to 23XI Racing for the 2024 season. RCR pushed those plans ahead by a year.
How has this move panned out for RCR? Better than anyone expected. While Reddick won three times in the same car last year, no one was truly sure what to expect from Kyle Busch in 2023. RCR was seen as a stepdown in equipment compared to JGR. Plus, Busch had not been running to the same standard as many expected. For most, expectations were kept modest. Instead, Kyle Busch is having his best season since 2019. While there have been races where Busch has lacked speed, this move has worked perfectly for everyone involved. Kyle Busch went from frustrated to championship contender.
Halfway Grade: A+
AJ Allmendinger Rejoins Cup Series
AJ Allmendinger to Kaulig Racing #16
2023 Stats: 16 Starts, 2 Top-10s, 1 Lap Led, 19.9 AVG Finish, 9 Lead Lap Finish
When AJ Allmendinger returned to NASCAR with Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series, that turned into immediate success. During his Xfinity Series tenure, Allmendinger was a championship contender while racking up 10 wins in two fulltime seasons. Moving Allmendinger up to a fulltime ride in the Cup Series was a question of whether Allmendinger wanted to or not. Kaulig already had a charter for their 16 car. It made perfect sense when the team announced Allmendinger was returning to Cup fulltime.
Expectations for AJ Allmendinger’s 2023 were understandably high. Not only did Allmendinger prove he can handle the ovals in Xfinity, Allmendinger’s part time schedule in the Cup Series provided strong results. In 18 starts, Allmendinger had 8 Top-10s, with half on oval tracks.
However, 2023 has not been kind to AJ Allmendinger. In 16 starts, Allmendinger only has 2 Top-10s. Those Top-10s have bookended this section of the season: a sixth at Daytona and Sonoma. During the first stretch of the season, Allmendinger struggled mightily. In the first 10 races, he had 5 finishes outside the Top-20, including 3 DNFs. Since Talladega, Allmendinger has been running better. The past 6 races has seen 5 Top-20 finishes. With the summer road course season recently started, it may be too early to give a definitive grade for Allmendinger. However, it still has been a disappointment thus far.
Halfway Grade: C-
Tony Stewart Gets His Driver
Ryan Preece to SHR #41
2023 Stats: 16 Starts, 1 Pole, 141 Laps Led, 22.3 AVG Finish, 8 Lead Lap Finishes
Cole Custer clearly was not cutting it in the Cup Series. The former top prospect of Ford had turned into a dud. His best season was his rookie year where he won at Kentucky. Outside of that one win, his Cup Series career had little to be excited about. Despite that, Gene Haas did not want to cut Custer from the lineup. Tony Stewart had a different thought. Though they disagreed, Stewart’s decision ended up moving forward. Ryan Preece was going to drive the 41 car for SHR while Custer tries to find his talent again in the Xfinity Series.
Since 2020, Stewart-Haas Racing has been a steady decline. Outside of Kevin Harvick, the SHR teams have been progressively running worse. Fans of the team were hoping Preece would be the answer to the 41 struggles though. However, it has been more of the same out of Preece. Quite literally, it has almost been an identical season to this point for Preece. Both Custer and Preece averaged a 22.3 finish, managed to obtain one pole, and had 8 lead lap finishes. Preece has not done anything to improve things in the 41. While it is likely this is a team issue rather than a driver issue, this move has been the ultimate sideways slide.
The lone bright spot for Ryan Preece was dominating the early portions of Martinsville.
Halfway Grade: F
A Rookie for the Legacy (Motor) Club
Noah Gragson to Legacy Motor Club #42
2023 Stats: 15 Starts, 2 Laps Led, 28.5 AVG Finish, 2 Lead Lap Finishes
The rookie battle for 2023 was supposed to be an exciting one. Legacy Motor Club tapped the hottest Xfinity Series driver to replace Ty Dillon in the 42 car. While JGR had the reigning champion, Gragson had the better 2022 season in the Xfinity season. Also like Gibbs, Gragson got plenty of NextGen seat time due to his deal with Kaulig and filling in for Alex Bowman. While nobody reasonable thought Gragson would contend for the championships, there was excitement for a fulltime Cup Series ride for Gragson. At the very least, he surely would be better than Ty Dillon in the same car. Right?
Wrong. Very very wrong. To call Noah Gragson’s 2023 season a dumpster fire would be an insult to dumpster fires. At this point in the season, Gragson sits last in points (out of fulltime drivers). Remember the Chase Briscoe penalty that docked him 120 points? Well, Gragson could win the next race (without receiving stage points) while Briscoe sat out and Gragson still would not pass him. Now, Gragson missed the past race with a concussion, so he missed out on 5 points. The only notable thing Gragson has done this season is being on the receiving end of Ross Chastain’s fist.
To paint this picture a little clearer, here are Ty Dillon’s statistics from the first 15 races of 2022:
Ty Dillon: 15 Starts, 1 Top-10s, 9 Top-20s, 1 Lap Led, 20.5 AVG Finish, 11 Lead Lap Finishes
Halfway Grade:Â Pain
One Season Early
Tyler Reddick to 23XI #45
2023 Stats: 16 Starts, 1 Win, 5 Top-5s, 7 Top-10s, 186 Laps Led, 16.5 AVG Finish
As mentioned earlier, Tyler Reddick was booted from RCR a season early due to the Kyle Busch signing. Conveniently (and unfortunately) for 23XI Racing, Kurt Busch had to retire from racing due to the concussion suffered at Pocono last season. This gave Reddick a chartered team to drive for at 23XI for the 2023 season. Either way, surely 23XI would have had a ride for Reddick this season. However, it must be a relief that its a chartered ride (for the financial and Daytona 500 reasons).
Reddick has been as good as expected in the 45 car. After his COTA win, it seemed that Reddick was about to breakout and start rattling off Top-5s and wins consistently. Although that did not happen, he has been a consistent prescence in the Top-10 after the first couple of races of the season. Bad luck has bit Reddick as of late, wrecking out at Gateway over brake rotors and getting a flat tire late at Sonoma. However, Reddick is in position to advance deep into the playoffs.
Halfway Grade: A
Grandson Runs a New Number
Ty Gibbs to JGR #54 (formerly #18)
2023 Stats: 16 Starts, 4 Top-10s, 4 Laps Led, 19.0 AVG Finish, 9 Lead Lap Finishes
As the Kyle Busch drama dragged on last season, it seemed clear that Ty Gibbs would be moved up to replace him in the Cup Series. Gibbs’s success in the Xfinity Series definitely rushed his progress within Joe Gibbs Racing. It was reported that Joe Gibbs did not want Ty running the Cup Series this season initially. However, it is tough to argue against it after Gibbs racked up 11 wins in 51 starts. Add in a championship and it would have been difficult to deny Ty the spot in Busch’s old ride.
Much like Noah Gragson, the expectations for Ty Gibbs were modest but with a certain excitement (or loathing) behind the move. Unlike Gragson, Gibbs has established himself as a solid Cup Series driver this year. While doing nothing impressive, Gibbs has navigated himself to lurking for a playoff spot. As long as Noah Gragson does not win (at a superspeedway), Rookie of the Year is locked up with Gibbs. Perhaps the most impressive thing Gibbs has done is holster his immaturity and aggression. Outside of the All-Star Open, fans have not seen the same bratty teenager behind the wheel. It is a credit to Gibbs for calming himself down and not making enemies.
Halfway Grade: B-
Another Year, Another Ride
Ty Dillon to Spire #77
2023 Stats: 16 Starts, 28.5 AVG Finish, 6 Lead Lap Finishes
As discussed earlier, Ty Dillon did a respectable (by comparison) job in the 42 last season. While it was nothing to brag about, most weeks Dillon ran around the Top-20. It helped foster the narrative that Petty-GMS might be on the upswing, along with Erik Jones running well. However, Dillon never seemed long for that ride. Chevy has a glut of young talent in the lower series and not many spots in the Cup Series to place them. While Dillon did fine, perhaps a newer driver could excel. That left Dillon to run for Spire Motorsports in their 77 car.
If not for Gragson missing the race last weekend, Ty Dillon would be last in drivers’ points. It has not been a good year for Dillon. While the equipment does not merit strong runs, Corey LaJoie has been showing impressive speed in the same equipment. Meanwhile, Dillon is a moving chicane on the track. Somehow, Dillon is underwhelming with no expectations. The past five races has seen Dillon finish in the Top-30. That is something at least.
Halfway Grade: F
2022 Silly Season: Xfinity Series
A Search for Lost Talent
Cole Custer to SHR #00
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 1 Win, 6 Top-5s, 9 Top-10s, 2 Poles, 108 Laps Led, 9.7 AVG Finish
As discussed previously, Cole Custer’s Cup Series career was a massive dud. Coming from the Xfinity Series, Custer was a hot prospect being called up into a strong Ford team. After the 2022 season, Custer’s disappointing stint in the 41 car mirrored the struggles at SHR. While his Cup ride was in question, there was little doubt that Ford (or SHR) would allow Custer to leave. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, SHR decided to pull the trigger on Ryan Preece while reviving the 00 car in Xfinity for Custer. The plan is simple: let Custer regain his confidence in the Xfinity Series before (hopefully) returning to the Cup Series.
Upon returning to the Xfinity Series, Cole Custer was immediately placed in championship contention. Three of the top championship contenders from last year moved up to the Cup Series. To start the season, Custer was hit with bad luck and poor runs. Through COTA, Custer only had one Top-10 (at Daytona). Riley Herbst was outpacing Custer on weekly basis. Since COTA, Custer has finished in the Top-10 each week. Plus, he picked up the win at Portland. However, Custer has not flashed the championship grit many expected still. While Top-10s are good, it is underwhelming for the expectations placed on Custer for 2023.
Halfway Grade: C+
Less Notable JGR Departure
Brandon Jones to JR Motorsports #9
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 1 Top-5, 3 Top-10s, 34 Laps Led, 17.6 AVG Finish
Kyle Busch was not the only driver to leave Joe Gibbs Racing on dubious terms. After Ty Gibbs needlessly wrecked Brandon Jones at Martinsville to eliminate him from the playoffs, the move away from JGR was clear for Jones. With Noah Gragson moving up to the Cup Series, Jones and his Menards sponsorship made sense to move to JR Motorsports. For Jones, it would be an opportunity to prove his worth to JGR, where he was clearly the afterthought.
Unfortunately for Jones and JR Motorsports, the transition has been rough. Last season, the 9 car dominated the series with Gragson behind the wheel. The 9 team won 8 times, averaged an 8.1 finishing result, and finished Top-10 in all but 7 races. With a new driver and crew chief at the helm, the 9 team only has 3 Top-10s in 14 races. Not only are the results bad, the 9 car has clearly been the worst JR Motorsports entry each weekend. Jones has done nothing to wipe away the narrative that his rides have come via sponsorship rather than talent.
Halfway Grade: F
Rookie Moves to Chevy, Kaulig
Chandler Smith to Kaulig #16
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 1 Win, 4 Top-5s, 6 Top-10s, 1 Pole, 205 Laps Led, 13.2 AVG Finish
Much like Brandon Jones, Chandler Smith is moving into a ride that had tremendous success in 2022. Unlike Jones, expectations were tampered with a rookie replacing the savvy veteran. While many expected Smith to run well in a Kaulig entry, some drivers take a season or two to hit their peak. Plus, the former Toyota prospect was switching manufacturers.
So far, the 2023 season has been a moderate success for Chandler Smith. He already claimed his first Xfinity Series win at Richmond while coming close to the same feat at Las Vegas. While the stat line is not impressive, it is respectable for a first year driver replacing AJ Allmendinger. If he can avoid further on track incidents with Jeb Burton, Smith should be able to have pleasant second half. His ceiling for 2023 is a Championship Four appearance.
Halfway Grade: B
Rookie Skips Truck Series
Sammy Smith to JGR #18
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 1 Win, 3 Top-5s, 6 Top-10s, 152 Laps Led, 14.1 AVG Finish
With Brandon Jones leaving and Ty Gibbs being called up to the Cup Series, JGR had to bring in two new drivers for their Xfinity Series program. While the 19 car would be turned into the “All-Star” car, the 18 car would be return to being a one driver team. Smith, who won 6 ARCA races in 2022, would skip the Craftsman Truck Series to run fulltime in the Xfinity Series.
Much like the other rookie Smith, expectations for Sammy Smith were cautiously optimistic. Also like Chandler, Sammy is having a solid season where he already has collected his first career Xfinity Series win. Unlike Chandler, Sammy has been more inconsistent throughout the season. However, the win at Phoenix might be a prelude to championship success is Sammy can navigate his way through the playoffs.
Halfway Grade: B
Nemechek’s Rejuvenation Through the Ranks
John Hunter Nemechek to JGR #20
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 2 Wins, 7 Top-5s, 11 Top-10s, 1 Pole, 457 Laps Led, 8.8 AVG Finish
After running his Cup Series rookie season in 2020, John Hunter Nemechek decided to reset his career arc. He returned to the Craftsman Truck Series with KBM and Toyota in the hopes of reviving his career. Since then, Nemechek has become a top prospect in NASCAR. When he was tabbed to run JGR’s 20 car for 2023, expectations were high. After his strong performance in the Truck Series, many believed Nemechek would be a championship contender.
So far, Nemechek has lived up to those expectations. He is a consistent Top-5 driver every weekend. In only 3 races has Nemechek failed to to place in the Top-10. At this moment, Nemechek is the favorite to win the Xfinity Series championship. His performance this season has caused rumblings about a return to the Cup Series in 2024. While Toyota currently does not have a ride for him, they may be forced to create one for Nemechek before another manufacturer steals him. As for this 2022 silly season move, JGR is reaping the benefits.
Halfway Grade: A+
Lack of Sponsorship Shuffle
Brett Moffitt to AM Racing #25
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 3 Top-10s, 20 Laps Led, 17.4 AVG Finish, 9 Lead Lap Finishes
Brett Moffitt is the embodiment of a talented driver struggling to find a ride due to a lack of funding. Moffitt, who is former Craftsman Truck Series champion, has been unable to hold down a ride since leaving GMS Racing after the 2020 season. In 2021, Moffitt ran 31 of 33 Xfinity Series events for Our Motorsports. He returned to the team in 2022, only to be replaced after 21 races. It is a shame too, since Moffitt normally runs better than the equipment given to him. For the 2023 season, the newly formed Xfinity team for AM Racing tabbed Moffitt to drive for them.
While the exact expectations for Moffitt from AM Racing are unknown, he has to be at least meeting the standards they were hoping for. Out of the 14 races, Moffitt has placed inside the Top-20 in 9 of them. Of the 5 non Top-20s, an engine failure took him out of COTA and he wrecked out at Daytona. Overall, it is tough to say that this venture has not been a success. For Moffitt, the true test of success will come if he is able to keep this ride throughout the 2023 season. As of right now, Moffitt sits 70 points outside the playoffs. If he could snag a win (at a superspeedway), then maybe his ride will be safe.
Halfway Grade: C
Grala Gets a Fulltime Ride
Kaz Grala to Sam Hunt Racing #26
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 1 Top-5, 2 Top-10s, 20.1 AVG Finish, 7 Lead Lap Finishes
Sam Hunt Racing is becoming the secondary Toyota Xfinity Series team. For their 24 car, it is a revolving door of drivers. From young drivers like Connor Mosack to Cup veterans like Tyler Reddick, the 24 car is an open seat. However, for their 26 car, SHR decided to pick Kaz Grala to be their fulltime driver. For Grala, this is the first time since 2017 that he will be driving a full season.
At certain points of the season, Grala has flashed speed to make people notice. A Top-5 at Richmond was the highlight of the season thus far. However, the 2023 season overall has been a struggle for Grala. He has more DNFs than Top-10s thus far into the season. With the Toyota pipeline loading up on young drivers, Grala needs to improve his performance if he wants to stay in that ride.
Halfway Grade: D+
Third Team in Three Years
Jeb Burton to Jordan Anderson Racing #27
2023 Stats:Â 14 Starts, 1 Win, 1 Top-5, 2 Top-10s, 17 Laps Led, 15.8 AVG Finish
Jordan Anderson’s venture into Xfinity Series racing last season went well enough that he decided to start a second team. Tabbed to drive for that second team was Jeb Burton. For Burton, this is his third team in as many years. Having bounced from Kaulig to Our Motorsports, this season might be an opportunity to have some continuity for a couple of years.
Jeb Burton has already locked himself into a playoff spot via his win at Talladega. It is a bit of bounce back for Burton after a disappointing 2022. He has been able to keep his car on the track, as he has no DNFs thus far. Not only no DNFs, Burton has finished on the lead lap in all but two of the races.
Halfway Grade: B+
The Other Rookie in the Field
Parker Retzlaff to Jordan Anderson #31
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 1 Top-5, 3 Top-10s, 2 Laps Led, 18.5 AVG Finish
In the first season of Xfinity Series racing for Jordan Anderson racing, Myatt Snider managed to earn 4 Top-10s and a nineteenth place points finish. With those underwhelming statistics, Jordan Anderson decided to kick Snider (and his Tax Slayer sponsorship) to the curb in favor of rookie Parker Retzlaff.
As of this writing, the move has seemingly paid off. Both Jordan Anderson Racing cars are running better than the 31 did last season. For Retzlaff, he nabbed a Top-5 in the season opening race at Daytona. On the season, Retzlaff has mostly run in the Top-20 and keeping the car clean. While Rookie of the Year is almost certainly out of reach, Retzlaff has managed 10 lead lap finishes.
Halfway Grade: C+
Big Machine Kligerman
Parker Kligerman to Big Machine Racing #48
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 3 Top-5s, 5 Top-10s, 7 Laps Led, 16.4 AVG Finish
Big Machine Racing went away from having one fulltime driver in 2022. Instead, they opted to be an open car, welcoming a variety of drivers in the seat of the 48 car. Tyler Reddick scored the team’s first Xfinity Series win at Texas. However, for 2023, the team decided to give Parker Kligerman a chance in the Xfinity Series. For the first time since 2013, Kligerman would be driving a full season in NASCAR.
Big Machine Racing is getting quality from Parker Kligerman. Twice this season Kligerman has been close to nabbing the team’s second victory. At Atlanta, Kligerman was wrecked as he going for the win coming to the checkered flag. On the final restart at Portland, Kligerman attempted a dive bomb maneuver for the lead. While it did not work, it is proof that Kligerman is running toward the front. The playoffs are not out of question for Kligerman either. He only sits 18 points out of a spot and has been competitive at a variety of tracks.
Halfway Grade: B+
Fast Pasta Continues to Slide
Anthony Alfredo to BJ McCleod #98
2023 Stats: 14 Starts, 24 Laps Led, 24.6 AVG Finish, 8 Lead Lap Finishes
BJ McCleod Motorsports has been known to enlist drivers to “fulltime” rides in the Xfinity Series only to pull the rug out from under them. Last year, Josh Williams fell victim to that circumstance (to the surprise of many). When it was announced that Anthony Alfredo would be helming the 78 car for 2023, there was more concern than excitement.
As one would expect from a driver with BJ McCleod Motorsports, 2023 has been a step back for Alfredo. While his runs with Our Motorsports were nothing impressive, his average finish at this point last season was 6.5 positions better. Luckily for Alfredo, the backing of Dude Wipes should keep him in the seat for the remainder of 2023.
Halfway Grade: D
Not So Fulltime After All
When it comes to the Xfinity Series, the most notorious thing about silly season is that what is announced does not matter. Outside of the major teams, any driver announced as “fulltime” for the following season should be met with skepticism. For lesser funded teams, the fulltime driver turns out to be short lived. For example, below is a list of drivers who were announced as fulltime before the 2023 season began but are either out of the ride or have shared seat time:
- Bayley Currey – JD Motorsports #4
- Gray Gaulding – GreenLight Racing #08
- Landon Cassill – Kaulig Racing #10
- Kyle Sieg – RSS Racing #28
- Jeffery Earnhardt – Alpha Prime Racing #44
Expect more “fulltime” drivers to start finding their way onto this list before the season is out.
2022 Silly Season: Craftsman Truck Series
Rev Racing to Trucks
Nick Sanchez to Rev Racing #2
2023 Stats: 12 Starts, 1 Top-5, 5 Top-10s, 187 Laps Led, 14.5 AVG Finish
When KBM moved from Toyota to Chevrolet with Kyle Busch’s move to RCR, Rev Racing got the callup to the Craftsman Truck Series. Essentially, this ride is KBM’s third truck team. Off the back of winning the ARCA Championship last season, Nick Sanchez moved with Rev Racing to the Truck Series.
Currently, Nick Sanchez leads to the Rookie of the Year battle. He sits 4 points out of the playoffs, but has come close to winning this season. Most notably Texas, where he led 168 laps before wrecking out fighting for the lead. In the equipment that he has, Sanchez should be able to find his way into the playoffs. If he does, then he will lock up Rookie of the Year in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Halfway Grade: B-
Purdy Goes to KBM
Chase Purdy to KBM #4
2023 Stats: 12 Starts, 2 Top-5s, 6 Top-10s, 3 Laps Led, 16.1 AVG Finish
When the driver lineup for KBM was announced, it was a bit underwhelming. Only two trucks would make the switch to Chevy. One would be turned into the “All-Star” truck while the other was handed to Chase Purdy. Purdy, who had disappointed in his two previous stops, brought over that valuable sponsorship from Bama Buggies.
Despite the apathy to the announcement, Chase Purdy has stepped up his performance. Even at this point in the season, his numbers mark career highs in almost every category. However, Purdy’s two DNFs (along with bad runs at COTA and Bristol Dirt) has the young driver sitting twelfth in points. Although it is a far cry from how well the 4 truck ran last year, Purdy has been a pleasant surprise.
Halfway Grade: C+
Morphin’ Time!
Dean Thompson to TRICON #5
2023 Stats: 12 Starts, 1 Top-5, 2 Top-10s, 24.3 AVG Finish, 4 Lead Lap Finishes
With the departure of KBM from the manufacturer, Toyota had to find a replacement in the Craftsman Truck Series. While technically ThorSport ran Toyotas in 2022, their lineup (other than Ty Majeski) was not developmental in anyway. Not unless you count Matt Crafton as an “up-and-comer”. Instead, David Gilliland Racing was picked to be the new TRD team in the Truck Series. With the move, DGR put in their application for worst name change by becoming TRICON Garage.
One of their fulltime rides went to Dean Thompson. To put it kindly, the results have been poor and costly. In 12 starts, Thompson has wrecked out of half of them. He sits outside the Top-20 in points, behind teammate Taylor Gray who only has 9 starts this season.
Halfway Grade: F
TRD’s Ace from KBM
Corey Heim to TRICON #11
2023 Stats: 11 Starts, 1 Win, 4 Top-5s, 9 Top-10s, 2 Poles, 285 Laps Led, 8.5 AVG Finish
The lone stowaway for Toyota during the KBM departure was Corey Heim. Heim, who won twice in limited action in 2022, was the most coveted driver from KBM for the Craftsman Truck Series. Heim was already a TRD driver with KBM, so him staying with the manufacturer made sense.
Until missing the race at WWT Raceway due to illness, Corey Heim was the points leader for the Craftsman Truck Series. He already clinched his playoff spot via his rained soaked win at Martinsville. If not for crashing out at Atlanta, Heim would have a 15th place or better finish in every race he has run this season.
Halfway Grade: A
Deegan Remains With Ford
Hailie Deegan to ThorSport #13
2023 Stats: 12 Starts, 1 Top-10, 2 Laps Led, 20.9 AVG Finish, 8 Lead Lap Finishes
When DGR announced the switch to Toyota, everyone knew that Hailie Deegan would be switching teams. She is a Ford Performance driver and would not be let go by the manufacturer. Despite her first two truck seasons disappointing, the hope was that the move to ThorSport would boost her running. Though the former DGR was not bad equipment, it is tough to argue that ThorSport is not the more competitive team.
In 2023, Deegan has continued to underwhelm. In 12 starts, Deegan has only managed one Top-10. On the bright side, when Deegan does not wreck, she has been keeping her truck inside the Top-20. At the same time, a Top-20 in the Craftsman Truck Series is not all that impressive, especially when her teammates are consistently in the Top-10.
Halfway Grade: D
Eckes Knows NAPA
Christian Eckes to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing #19
2023 Stats: 12 Starts, 2 Wins, 4 Top-5s, 6 Top-10s, 1 Pole, 147 Laps Led, 13.7 AVG Finish
After back-to-back seasons of the Derek Kraus experience, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing decided to switch drivers for the 2023 season. Kraus was out, and in stepped a former Craftsman Truck Series winner in Christian Eckes. Eckes, who got dumped by ThorSport in favor of Deegan/Majeski, has taken full advantage of the new environment.
Within the first 12 races, Eckes has visited victory lane twice. At the moment, Eckes is the points leader if the playoffs were to start today. Eckes has turned the 19 truck into a contender for the championship. With Kraus behind the wheel, the 19 truck was a fringe playoff contender. The biggest knock against Eckes this season is that he is a bit boom or bust. Either he finishes around the Top-5 or finishes outside the Top-20.
Halfway Grade: A-
GMS Pins Hopes on Youth
Rajah Caruth to GMS #24
2023 Stats:Â 12 Starts, 1 Top-10, 20.9 AVG Finish, 7 Lead Lap Finishes
Outside of Grant Enfinger since the second half of 2022, GMS Racing has been on a steady downward slide. The team that once filled out three of the four spots in the Championship Four in 2020 has not nearly reached the same heights. In fact, the team is most known for losing young drivers to different teams. Zane Smith went to Front Row and Jack Wood joined up with KBM. Enfinger returned for the 2023 season, but GMS brought in two young drivers to fill in the rest of the lineup.
Rajah Caruth is racing his first fulltime season in the Craftsman Truck Series. For the most part, Caruth’s 2023 has been a whelming experience. He has flashed solid speed a couple of times this season, but he has been a mid-pack truck. It is an improvement from Jack Wood though.
Halfway Grade: C-
Petty’s Influence on GMS
Daniel Dye to GMS #43
2023 Stats: 12 Starts, 5 Laps Led, 19.8 AVG Finish, 7 Lead Lap Finishes
For whatever reason, Daniel Dye has received an outsized share of the TV time during FOX’s coverage of the Craftsman Truck Series. Unbelievably, Michael Waltrip will constantly bring up Dye during the race coverage. Considering that Dye is a mid-pack truck (much like Caruth), it is odd that Dye somehow finds his truck equiped with the on-board cam.
Keeping with the youth movement, GMS hopes that Dye (and Caruth) will develop with their team. Even though that is the plan, Dye has done little to demonstrate the talent to give hope to the team. Rarely does Dye flash the speed that Caruth will pop out occasionally.
Halfway Grade: D
