NASCAR: 4 possible teammates for Bubba Wallace in 2022
By Asher Fair
Possible Bubba Wallace teammates: No. 4 – Michael McDowell
One thing that can’t get lost in all of this 23XI Racing speculation is the fact that absolutely nothing has been confirmed. If expansion is to occur, it’s not a guarantee that it is going to happen with the simple purchase of a charter.
Just look at Trackhouse Racing Team. They don’t own the charter that they are currently using to run the #99 Chevrolet for Daniel Suarez, so they purchased the two-car Chip Ganassi Racing operation to run two chartered cars next year.
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
So why does this mean Michael McDowell is a candidate to join Bubba Wallace?
There is a rumor that 23XI Racing may attempt to merge with Front Row Motorsports for 2022. This would open up the possibility for 23XI Racing to become not just a two-car team but a three-car team, since they currently own the charter they use to run the #23 Toyota and both Front Row Motorsports cars are chartered entries.
Neither Front Row Motorsports driver is under contract for next year, and McDowell has had a career year in 2021 that includes his first career win, which happened to be a Daytona 500 victory, and his first career playoff berth.
Signing him would likely require the team to become a three-car team since he isn’t reportedly their top candidate for an additional seat, but it’s not out of the question considering the veteran presence he brings to the table and the current rumor that is circulating.
Sure, there’s a history between Wallace and McDowell. But how can we forget that this was the case between Wallace and Hamlin as well? The former was still signed by the latter’s team.
Top 25 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark. Next
Assuming 23XI Racing expand for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, who will join Bubba Wallace? Is Kurt Busch a lock, or is there a chance that they will go with Matt DiBenedetto or John Hunter Nemechek instead? Is Michael McDowell in play if the Front Row Motorsports rumor comes to fruition?