If 23XI Racing buy a second charter for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, here are three possible teams from which they could purchase it.
23XI Racing have long discussed expanding from one car to two for their second season in the NASCAR Cup Series next year, and they confirmed that expansion this past summer.
Bubba Wallace is set to return behind the wheel of the #23 Toyota, and Kurt Busch is set to join 23XI Racing and pilot the #45 Toyota alongside him in 2022.
But one thing was not confirmed: a second charter.
As of now, the #45 Toyota is listed a full-time, non-chartered (open) entry, much like the #37 Chevrolet for JTG Daugherty Racing this year. But the goal for the Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned team is still to purchase a second charter.
From where might they obtain one? Here are three possible sellers.
Possible charter sellers: No. 3 – StarCom Racing
We know that StarCom Racing are sellers already; we just don’t know who the buyer is. More than likely, this isn’t where 23XI Racing will find a second charter, as it has been rumored that Spire Motorsports have purchased the charter that StarCom Racing currently use to field the #00 Chevrolet for Quin Houff. StarCom Racing plan to shut down after 2021.
Spire Motorsports sold two of their current three charters, including the one they lease out to Trackhouse Racing Team, to Kaulig Racing for next year. Already operating as a two-car team, it would make sense for them to purchase what would be a second charter for 2022.
But Spire Motorsports have said that they do not currently have anything to announce, so it’s a possibility for 23XI Racing until confirmed otherwise.
Possible charter sellers: No. 2 – Front Row Motorsports
There have been rumors that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are working on a deal that would ultimately see 23XI Racing land a second charter for their newly announced second car and Front Row Motorsports become a one-car team. One rumor even suggested a merger between the two organizations.
Front Row Motorsports, which currently own and operate two charters, remain one of the few teams without absolutely nothing confirmed for the 2022 season as far as their lineup is concerned, which has only fueled this speculation throughout the progression of silly season.
If they do become a one-car team, you would expect them to bring back Michael McDowell after the career year he has had. He earned his first career Cup Series victory by winning the Daytona 500, ending a 357-race win drought to start his career, and he secured his first career playoff berth because of it.
The driver of the #34 Ford has had strong results at several other venues as well; the success of his breakthrough season is by no means limited to his Daytona 500 win.
This would leave rookie Anthony Alfredo, who currently pilots the #38 Ford, without a ride for next year.
Possible charter sellers: No. 1 – Rick Ware Racing
You would have to change the word “seller” to “lessor”, but this scenario is by far the one that fans would most like to see.
Rick Ware Racing currently run four charters for their backmarker cars, and Rick Ware has no plans to sell any of them. With that having been said, Ware has made clear that he is open to leasing out one of the charters for the 2022 season.
If they find themselves without one, 23XI Racing could swoop in with an offer Ware can’t refuse.
We also have to consider the possibility that NASCAR could repossess the charter currently used to run the #51 Petty Ware Racing entry.
Charter teams are held to a minimum performance standard over a period of three seasons, so depending on where the #51 team finishes the 2021 season in the owner standings, this could become an option. Even if it does, however, that doesn’t mean it will happen.
But adding a layer of intrigue here is the fact that the charter used to run the #51 Chevrolet is actually owned by Richard Petty Motorsports. So could a sale come in the meantime if repossession becomes a possibility?
Bottom line, looking at how many possible ways there are for Rick Ware Racing not to run four charters next year, this is absolutely a potential way for 23XI Racing to find a second one for Kurt Busch’s #45 Toyota.