NASCAR: 5 possible replacements for Kurt Busch in 2022

With Chip Ganassi Racing set to have an open seat heading into the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season if Kurt Busch leaves, here are five possible drivers for the team.

Heading into the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, Chip Ganassi Racing have an open seat in the #1 Chevrolet with Kurt Busch currently in a contract year. Chip Ganassi has always stated that he likes winners, and the 2022 season will be no exception. He will be looking to make the most out of this opening to find a driver who gives him the best chance at winning.

While Ganassi has seen success in his IndyCar team, fielding an entry for six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, his NASCAR team has yet to see the success he would like to see.

Last year, Ganassi was between a rock and a hard place after Kyle Larson was suspended and fired. That prompted him to bring in 2003 Cup Series champion Matt Kenseth to fill the #42 Chevrolet. Kenseth finished in 28th place in the championship standings with just two top 10 finishes, and from there, Ganassi hired Ross Chastain.

While Ganassi saw Busch make the 2020 playoffs, he made it in on points and did not win until the round of 12 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, when he made the most out of a pit strategy and late race caution to win at his hometown track for the first time in his career. This year, both Busch and Chastain sit below the playoff cut line.

Assuming Busch doesn’t return, who might drive the #1 Chevrolet next year? Here are five candidates.

Possible 2022 Chip Ganassi Racing drivers: No. 1 – Matt DiBenedetto

Yes, Chip Ganassi likes winners. No, Matt DiBenedetto has not yet won a Cup Series race. In fact, his last win came back in 2011 in K&N Pro Series East. But he has finished in second place multiple times and could be on the brink of a win soon. Most importantly, he is in a contract year with Wood Brothers Racing.

Last year, Wood Brothers Racing considering releasing DiBenedetto, but they picked up his option for the 2021 season. But they also announced that he would not be back in the #21 Ford in 2022, with Team Penske Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric set to replace him. Wood Brothers Racing have a technical alliance with Team Penske.

There is still a possibility that Roger Penske decides to put Cindric in the #2 Team Penske Ford with Brad Keselowski rumored to leave the team for a driver/owner role at Roush Fenway Racing.

So it’s entirely possible that DiBenedetto could end up staying in the historic #21 Ford. But if not, he could look for a change of scenery. The lone manufacturer for which he hasn’t driven in the Cup Series could be all he needs.