NASCAR: Another open seat lands a driver for 2022
By Asher Fair
Josh Bilicki is set to run most of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule behind the wheel of the #77 Chevrolet at Spire Motorsports.
One of the few remaining open seats ahead of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season has found a driver.
Josh Bilicki, who competed full-time for the first time in his Cup Series career for Rick Ware Racing last year, is set to join Spire Motorsports are the primary driver of their #77 Chevrolet. Zeigler Auto Group is set to serve as his primary partner for the bulk of his season.
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Bilicki, who is set to run “the majority” of the 36-race season for the team, is set to make his first start of the year in the Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday, February 27, the second race on the calendar.
https://twitter.com/joshbilicki/status/1480555906945499146
The 26-year-old Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin has made 71 starts in the Cup Series over the last five seasons, and he secured his first top 10 finish in last year’s August regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway in 10th place.
A driver for the #77 Chevrolet for the season-opening Daytona 500 at the same track has still not been named.
Bilicki is set to join Corey LaJoie, the full-time driver of the #7 Chevrolet, at the two-car team. The confirmation of Bilicki the #77 Chevrolet for the 2022 season solidifies the fact that the team have acquired one of Rick Ware Racing’s three charters.
Spire Motorsports entered last season with three charters, though one was leased out to Trackhouse Racing Team for them to run their #99 Chevrolet for Daniel Suarez. Spire Motorsports ran the #7 Chevrolet for LaJoie and the #77 Chevrolet for a handful of drivers, but they ended up selling two of their three charters to Kaulig Racing, leaving them with one for 2022.
They had reportedly been in advanced talks to buy a second from StarCom Racing, which shuttered operations after the 2021 season, but that deal fell through, and StarCom Racing ended up selling their charter to 23XI Racing.
23XI Racing had been seeking a second charter for their newly added #45 Toyota for Kurt Busch after their own talks with Front Row Motorsports had fallen through.
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Bilicki is the first driver to be confirmed behind the wheel of the #77 Chevrolet for the upcoming 2022 season, which is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, February 20.