NASCAR: 5 possible replacements for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2022
By Asher Fair
Joe Gibbs Racing still have a “star car” for the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, despite the fact that they will be downsizing.
Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed the rumors and announced that they will indeed be downsizing from four cars to three for the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season after spending two seasons as a four-car operation in 2020 and 2021. However, they will still have a “star car” this year, as the plan is to run just two full-time drivers as opposed to three.
Brandon Jones is set to return for a fifth consecutive season behind the wheel of the #19 Toyota, and it is assumed that Ty Gibbs is set to become a full-time driver after winning Rookie of the Year honors as a part-time driver in 2021.
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After driving the #18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2021, Daniel Hemric is set to join Kaulig Racing as the replacement for the Cup Series-bound Justin Haley behind the wheel of the #11 Toyota.
After driving the #20 Toyota for the team in 2021, Harrison Burton is set to join Wood Brothers Racing in the Cup Series as the replacement for Matt DiBenedetto behind the wheel of the #21 Ford.
So who will pilot the third Joe Gibbs Racing entry throughout the 2022 Xfinity Series season?
Possible Joe Gibbs Racing drivers for 2022: No. 1 – Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace returned to the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the first time since the 2017 season in August 2021 when he competed for Hattori Racing Enterprises behind the wheel of the #81 Toyota at Michigan International Speedway. It may very well be a sign of things to come.
With the 28-year-old Mobile, Alabama now back with Toyota, given the fact that he joined the Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing ahead of their first season in 2021, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in select Xfinity Series races seems like something too good to pass up.
Wallace could use additional seat time, and with Kyle Busch now done competing in the Xfinity Series, he could effectively be used as the Cup Series replacement for him for his usual five races. With Hamlin being a Cup Series driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, he ought to have some pull here, and all parties would benefit.