NASCAR Cup Series: Driver lineup changes from 2021 to 2022

There are a number of changes that have been made to the driver lineup between the 2021 and 2022 NASCAR Cup Series seasons.

As is usually the case over the offseason, there have been quite a few changes to the NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup leading up to the 2022 season.

Let’s take a look at where all of the sport’s teams stand heading into the new season.

NOTE: Only 32 cars slated to be driven by full-time drivers are included in the list below. (R) means rookie.

First, here’s a look at the teams not making any changes from 2021 ahead of next season as far as their full-time drivers are concerned.

Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

• #5 – Kyle Larson
• #9 – Chase Elliott
• #24 – William Byron
• #48 – Alex Bowman

Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota

• #11 – Denny Hamlin
• #18 – Kyle Busch
• #19 – Martin Truex Jr.
• #20 – Christopher Bell

Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet

• #3 – Austin Dillon
• #8 – Tyler Reddick

Rick Ware Racing, Ford

• #51* – Cody Ware
  • * = formerly a Petty Ware Racing Chevrolet

Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet

• #7 – Corey LaJoie

Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford

• #4 – Kevin Harvick
• #10 – Aric Almirola
• #14 – Chase Briscoe
• #41 – Cole Custer

Here’s a look at the teams making just one change for 2022.

23XI Racing, Toyota

• In: #45 – Kurt Busch
• No change: #23 – Bubba Wallace

Front Row Motorsports, Ford

• In: #38 – Todd Gilliland (R)
• Out: #38 – Anthony Alfredo
• No change: #34 – Michael McDowell

Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet

• In: #31 – Justin Haley (drove part-time for the team in the #16 Chevrolet, a part-time entry, in 2021 along with A.J. Allmendinger and Kaz Grala. Allmendinger is set to drive the #16 Chevrolet, now a full-time entry, part-time in 2022 along with Noah Gragson and Daniel Hemric.)

JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet

• Out: #37 – Ryan Preece
• No change: #47 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Petty GMS Motorsports*, Chevrolet

*team formed by a merger between Richard Petty Motorsports and GMS Racing

• In: #42 – Ty Dillon
• No change: #43 – Erik Jones

RFK Racing*, Ford

*team renamed from Roush Fenway Racing due to the addition of Brad Keselowski as a third co-owner

• In: #6 – Brad Keselowski
• Out: #6 – Ryan Newman
• No change: #17 – Chris Buescher

Team Penske, Ford

• In: #2 – Austin Cindric (R)
• Out: #2 – Brad Keselowski
• No change: #12 – Ryan Blaney
• No change: #22 – Joey Logano

Trackhouse Racing Team, Chevrolet

• In: #1 – Ross Chastain
• No change: #99 – Daniel Suarez

Wood Brothers Racing, Ford

• In: #21 – Harrison Burton (R)
• Out: #21 – Matt DiBenedetto

Finally, here’s a look at the only team making multiple changes for next season.

Chip Ganassi Racing*, Chevrolet

*team acquired by Trackhouse Racing Team

• Out: #1 – Kurt Busch
• Out: #42 – Ross Chastain

The 64th annual Daytona 500 is scheduled to get the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season underway at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 20. It is set to be broadcast live on Fox beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.