NASCAR: More rumors emerge amid crazy charter market

Early in the offseason, NASCAR silly season seems to be winding down, thanks to all of the charter transactions that have already taken place.

With the Next Gen car set to debut in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season and several teams looking to enter the series for the first time or expand their organizations at such an opportune time, the charter market has been a key topic of discussion throughout the silly season more so than it has ever been before.

Things are by no means settled for 2022, with four teams still generating some buzz as it pertains to potential charter sales — two on the buying end and two on the selling end.

But the bulk of the changes for next year have already been confirmed, and looking back, there have been quite a few big ones.

Take a look at all of the charters which are confirmed to be on the move for the 2022 season. The numbers listed are the numbers of the entries for which the charters were used in 2021.

#77

• Used in 2021 by Spire Motorsports to field a full-time entry shared by multiple drivers (#77 Chevrolet)
• Sold to Kaulig Racing to field a full-time entry for Justin Haley (#16 Chevrolet)

#99

• Used in 2021 by Trackhouse Racing Team, which leased it from Spire Motorsports, to field a full-time entry for Daniel Suarez (#99 Chevrolet)
• Sold to Kaulig Racing to field a full-time entry for multiple drivers, including A.J. Allmendinger (#TBD Chevrolet)

#1

• Used in 2021 by Chip Ganassi Racing to field a full-time entry for Kurt Busch (#1 Chevrolet)
• Sold to Trackhouse Racing Team, which acquired all of Chip Ganassi Racing, to field a full-time entry for Ross Chastain (#1 Chevrolet)

#42

• Used in 2021 by Chip Ganassi Racing to field a full-time entry for Ross Chastain (#42 Chevrolet)
• Sold to Trackhouse Racing Team, which acquired all of Chip Ganassi Racing, to field a full-time entry for Daniel Suarez (#99 Chevrolet)

#00

• Used in 2021 by StarCom Racing to field a full-time entry for Quin Houff (#00 Chevrolet)
• Sold to 23XI Racing to field a full-time entry for Kurt Busch (#45 Toyota)

As for the moves that could still happen, take a look below at the teams looking for charters and the teams potentially open to selling.

Possible buyers/lessees

Spire Motorsports

• Seeking a second charter for 2022 to run the #77 Chevrolet for multiple drivers after selling two of their three charters from 2021

GMS Racing

• Seeking a single charter for 2022 to run the #94 Chevrolet for Ty Dillon; did not compete in the Cup Series in 2021

Possible sellers/lessors

Rick Ware Racing

• Ran four charters in 2021, three owned by themselves and one owned by Richard Petty Motorsports; open to leasing out/selling at least one for 2022 and downsizing to become a two-car team

Richard Petty Motorsports

• Ran just one car, the #43 Chevrolet for Erik Jones, in 2021 despite owning two charters; Rick Ware Racing used their second charter to field the #51 Chevrolet as a Petty Ware Racing entry, and this charter could be on the move

Given what’s available and the teams that are still looking, we could be coming close to knowing which 36 cars will be chartered entries for the 2022 season. When all is said and done, we are looking at between five and seven charters changing hands from 2021 to 2022, and with as many as nine teams involved in at least one of the transactions.