[autotag]Stewart-Haas Racing[/autotag]’s driver lineup after the 2023 NASCAR season concludes is still up in the air. Despite hiring Josh Berry to replace Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 car next year, the organization could find itself in a situation where Aric Almirola, who has a “very high chance” of retiring, leaves an opening for the No. 10 car.
There have been several drivers linked to Stewart-Haas Racing; however, two of the major contenders were taken off the board this week. Front Row Motorsports decided to exercise the options on Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland’s contracts to bring them back for the 2024 season. McDowell and Gilliland were linked to the No. 10 car but now only one name from the Front Row Motorsports group remains.
NEWS. We have exercised our option on @Mc_Driver and @ToddGilliland_ for all races in 2024 in the @NASCAR Cup Series.
We continue discussions with @ZaneSmith as he also explores other opportunities.
Full release:https://t.co/jOKKNT1LC0 pic.twitter.com/0PAWbTF4Cz
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) August 9, 2023
[autotag]Zane Smith[/autotag], the defending NASCAR Truck Series champion, will surprisingly not be a part of Front Row Motorsports’ plans in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. Quite frankly, McDowell made the most sense before the news but Smith was a close second. Now, the Front Row Motorsports driver should be the favorite on the surface.
Smith is Ford’s best prospect and while Stewart-Haas Racing is not on the same level as Team Penske or RFK Racing, the organization still has the ability to win races on a weekly basis. It makes too much sense to keep the 2022 Truck Series champion in the lower ranks of NASCAR when he is likely ready to make the jump to Cup Series competition.
There are other options, such as Wood Brothers Racing and Rick Ware Racing, but they don’t have good enough equipment to truly compete right now. Therefore, Smith joining Stewart-Haas Racing is the best and most logical outcome for both sides. Smithfield Foods, a primary sponsor on the No. 10 car, could leave with Almirola; however, the team did hire Berry, who doesn’t carry much sponsorship.
If Stewart-Haas Racing wants to continue the idea of not allowing pay drivers to join the Cup Series program, Smith makes the most sense. In fact, the 24-year-old driver would be the only driver that is an obvious fit. The question that Stewart-Haas Racing needs to answer is whether they want secured sponsorship or talent that may not come with as much.
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