NASCAR: New 23XI Racing expansion rumor raises questions
By Asher Fair
The latest rumor about 23XI Racing potentially expanding for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season involves Front Row Motorsports.
Even before 23XI Racing made their NASCAR Cup Series debut earlier this year, team co-owner Denny Hamlin discussed his desire for the team to expand from one car to two as soon as possible, preferably for the 2022 season.
Over the last few months, there have been several charter acquisitions announced, but the Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned team have not been a part of any of those announcements. With that being said, Hamlin has maintained that expansion is something that he wants for his team for 2022.
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Kurt Busch, who currently drives for Chip Ganassi Racing, has even been tipped to be the team’s second driver alongside Bubba Wallace for next year.
But even amid those reports, there has been absolutely nothing solidified.
And now a new rumor has emerged regarding 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, though Hamlin made clear that there are no deals done at this time and the team are still working through the process of trying to put one together.
Is a 23XI-FRM deal for charter(s) and/or merger in the works?
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 14, 2021
Hamlin w/media today:
Do u have a deal going on with Front Row for a charter?
“I don’t have any deals with anyone right now.”
Are u close?
“We’re still working through it. It’s week to week to be honest with you."
Of course, if anything comes to fruition, there are quite a few questions to be answered. First of all, 23XI Racing have a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, and they are a Toyota team. Front Row Motorsports are a Ford team.
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So what, exactly, would a merger look like? 23XI Racing certainly won’t leave Toyota, but is Toyota prepared to take on multiple additional cars? That raises another question: if a merger takes place, would the team become a three-car operation instead of just a two-car operation?
We’ve already seen Trackhouse Racing Team, currently a one-car team, announce their pending acquisition of Chip Ganassi Racing, a two-car team, for next year. But they will run two cars, not three.
However, this has to do with the fact that their current charter is not owned by them. It is owned by Spire Motorsports and has been sold to Kaulig Racing. So next year, they will own two charters, not three.
Could 23XI Racing control three charters?
Obviously, Wallace is already under contract to return behind the wheel of the #23 Toyota next year. Neither Front Row Motorsports driver, however, has a contract for 2022. Would reigning Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell be without a ride? What does the future hold for rookie Anthony Alfredo?
And if an acquisition takes place and it’s just a simple charter purchase for a second 23XI Racing car, would Front Row Motorsports still run two cars full-time next year, similar to what JTG Daugherty Racing are doing this year with just one charter?
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Bottom line, even knowing what we already know throughout the rest of the garage, by no means is this year’s silly season even close to slowing down.