NASCAR: Owner points transfers hint at new teams

NASCAR has released a list of owner points transfers ahead of the 2018 season, which hints at possible new rides and new entrants to come this year.

With racing roaring back to life for NASCAR this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, the stock car world is less than a week from seeing all three national touring divisions back on track. There will be new faces in new places, teams switching colors and numbers, and manufacturers with new allegiances.

NASCAR officials also dropped a few hints of announcements to come with a list of the 2018 owner points transfers.

As reported on Twitter by ESPN’s Bob Pockrass, lists have been revealed of owner points transfers for all three divisions, including the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series. While most of these moves have been previously reported, there are some teams listed that have not yet been confirmed.

Beginning with the Cup Series, it is worth noting that StarCom Racing, which just confirmed Jeffrey Earnhardt for a full season in the #00 Chevy, is listed twice. It appears the team led by Derrike Cope will enter the #99 Chevy in select 2018 races.

The same perhaps could be said for Phoenix Air Racing, a new team that will partner with MBM Motorsports to run Mark Thompson in the Daytona 500. This team will likely become similar to Beard Motorsports and Gaunt Brothers Racing, running only at restrictor plate tracks.

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In the Xfinity Series, there are more questions than answers on their list of points transfers. It begins with a points merger between Richard Childress Racing and King Autosport, listed with the #35.

However, Go Green Racing announced earlier in the offseason that they will field the same number as a Ford for Joey Gase full-time. The same question arises for the #36, also listed as an RCR merger, this time with SS-Green Light Racing. The #36 car has been previously announced for Alex Labbe, racing under the leadership of Mario Gosselin, the man formerly behind King Autosport.

Other teams appear to confirm at least part-time additional teams for 2018 by requesting new owner point designations. This includes a listing for the #6 Ford for Roush-Fenway Racing and the #10 Chevy for Kaulig Racing. Also included in the new owner points list is Copp Motorsports, which may be preparing to expand to the Xfinity Series from the Camping World Truck Series.

Finally, in the Truck Series, a number of new teams are listed where little information is available on them at this time. This includes the #04 of Roper Racing, #14 of Long Motorsports, #33 and #34 of Reaume Brothers Racing, and #06 of E2 Northeast Motorsports.

Other new teams listed that have already been announced include the #7 truck of All Out Motorsports for Korbin Forrister and the #17 Toyota for DGR-Crosley for Chris Eggleston. DGR-Crosley additionally lists a second team with the #54 Toyota.

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Of course, just because a team is listed among the transfers does not mean that the team will race in 2018. Much more will become clear about the status of many teams when the initial entry lists are released for Daytona in just a few days. Stay tuned to Beyond The Flag for more information as it becomes available.