NASCAR: Why Cup’s newest team is poised for success

GMS Racing officially announced their plans for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, and with a full-time team ready to compete, their debut could be better than expected.

GMS Racing officially announced their plans for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season when they confirmed that they will run full-time next year.

The team had recently announced they would compete in the 2022 season, but they have now solidified their driver as well, hiring veteran driver Ty Dillon to pilot the #94 Chevrolet.

The grandson of Richard Childress Racing team owner Richard Childress hasn’t driven full-time since last year when he piloted the #13 Chevrolet for the now defunct Germain Racing team. But the 29-year-old from Lewisville, North Carolina could be the perfect veteran to get the team started in the Cup Series.

Dillon hasn’t had many opportunities to race with top-tier equipment in the Cup Series. Sporadic appearances with Richard Childress Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing can’t really be taken into consideration.

What should be taken into consideration, on the other hand, is the fact that Dillon has served as a journeyman with several smaller teams, such as the aforementioned Germain Racing, as well as Gaunt Brothers Racing this season. He hasn’t had the ability to show his true potential with those teams.

But when Dillon was given the opportunity to drive for his grandfather’s team in the Xfinity Series, he beat out Kyle Busch to grab his lone Xfinity series win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2014.

Dillon, whose best finish in the Xfinity Series standings is third place in 2015, is also a three-time winner in the Truck Series with Richard Childress Racing, with his best standings finish being second in 2013.

But GMS Racing’s success will rely on more than their driver, and they appear ready to compete knowing such.

Hiring Dillon goes beyond the driver move, as GMS Racing will have a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Another team that recently made that move is Trackhouse Racing Team, which have acquired Chip Ganassi Racing for 2022. Partnering with Richard Childress Racing doesn’t seem to be a bad move for any new Cup Series team.

Additionally, GMS Racing are no strangers to winning. Having won two Truck Series titles and a number of Xfinity Series races, they understand the path to victory.

With newer teams in the Cup Series such as Kaulig Racing and 23XI Racing already grabbing wins this season, the time is right for additional first-time winners, and this is something that will play to the benefit of the veteran Dillon and GMS Racing in 2022.