NASCAR: 3 possible landing spots for Erik Jones in 2021
By Asher Fair
Possible Erik Jones 2021 landing spots: Stewart-Haas Racing
Stewart-Haas Racing seem to have an ever-changing driver lineup, and that may very well continue into 2021. They were the only one of the sport’s top five teams to make a change to their driver lineup after the 2019 season, and they have now altered their lineup after each of the last four seasons.
Kevin Harvick is already under contract through the 2023 season, and rookie Cole Custer is believed to be a long-term option, highlighted by his win at Kentucky Speedway in July. Clint Bowyer and Aric Almirola, however, are both in contract years for the second consecutive season.
Bowyer told Beyond the Flag in an interview that moving to the broadcast booth “damn sure ain’t gonna happen anytime soon”, and he has had a solid start to the season that would justify another extension. However, nothing has been confirmed, and he and Almirola could both end up on the hot seat.
If Stewart-Haas Racing do opt to change their driver lineup for the fifth consecutive year after the 2020 season, Erik Jones could be their go-to guy. Team co-owner Tony Stewart is known to be fond of Kyle Larson, but Larson’s situation remains up in the air, as he is still indefinitely suspended by NASCAR.
Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series driver Chase Briscoe could be another option, but would the team want to risk bringing him up to NASCAR’s top level too quickly and have him struggle mightily like Custer did before his upset victory?
Signing Jones would not be the first time Stewart-Haas Racing plucked a driver from the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota squad. They signed Daniel Suarez following the 2018 season, although that didn’t work out; their relationship ended after only one year.
If he doesn’t end up with Stewart-Haas Racing, where else could Jones find himself next year?