NASCAR: John Hunter Nemechek to Front Row Motorsports in 2020?

John Hunter Nemechek’s impressive NASCAR Cup Series debut has him in position to potentially land a full-time ride with Front Row Motorsports for the 2020 season.

John Hunter Nemechek made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in this past Sunday afternoon’s race at Texas Motor Speedway, and he was impressive in it, finishing in 21st place as the highest part-time driver in a 40-car field.

The 22-year-old Mooresville, North Carolina native drove the #36 Ford for Front Row Motorsports as the replacement for Matt Tifft. Tifft suffered a seizure the day before the race at Martinsville Speedway two weeks ago, and he was replaced by Matt Crafton in the race itself.

During the following week, Tifft and Front Row Motorsports confirmed that the 23-year-old Fairfax, Virginia native would not compete in any of the final three races of the season, and they confirmed that Nemechek would replace him in each of these three races at Texas Motor Speedway, ISM Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

More from NASCAR Cup Series

• NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
• NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
• NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
• NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
• NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500

Now there are rumors that Nemechek will be a full-time driver with Front Row Motorsports next year, and these rumors appear to have quite a bit of backing.

There are still ongoing rumors that GMS Racing, the team for which Nemechek competes full-time in the Xfinity Series, will shutter their Xfinity Series program after the 2019 season. But according to Toby Christie, a deal is already in the works for Nemechek to drive for Front Row Motorsports next year, irrespective of GMS Racing’s future in NASCAR’s second highest series.

Tifft wants to get back behind the wheel of the #36 Ford as soon as possible, but he is adamant that his health comes first, and justifiably so. Even still, the team already have an open seat for next year, and that is the #38 Ford.

David Ragan, who drives the #38 Ford, has announced that he will be retiring from full-time competition after the 2019 season ends. Additionally, Michael McDowell is believed to be set to return to the team next year behind the #34 Ford, but that is not set in stone.

Nemechek is not the only driver who has been linked to this ride, but most of the others have now already landed rides.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has signed with JTG Daugherty Racing after being released by Roush Fenway Racing, Ross Chastain has signed with Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series and Corey LaJoie has stated that he is aiming to return to Go Fas Racing, which have ruled out signing Cole Custer despite forming a technical alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing.

Daniel Hemric remains in the mix after being released by Richard Childress Racing, but even if he does end up with the team, Nemechek could still end up there along with him.

Will John Hunter Nemechek’s “audition” with Front Row Motorsports at the end of the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series season lead to him being promoted to the team as a full-time driver for next year? That’s what it’s looking like, but nothing has been confirmed.