NASCAR: Another big driver announcement coming ‘soon’

With Noah Gragson leaving the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the Cup Series, JR Motorsports are set to reveal their plans for the #9 Chevrolet “soon”.

While Sam Mayer is set to remain behind the wheel of the #1 Chevrolet and no changes are expected for Justin Allgaier or Josh Berry, who drive the #7 Chevrolet and #8 Chevrolet, respectively, change is on the horizon for JR Motorsports after the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

Noah Gragson, who has driven the team’s #9 Chevrolet for the last four seasons, is set to move to the Cup Series next year, replacing Ty Dillon behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet at Petty GMS Motorsports.

Gragson has driven part-time in the Cup Series for two teams, Beard Motorsports and Kaulig Racing, this year to get him ready for what many believed was an eventual promotion.

Gragson’s departure leaves the #9 Chevrolet without a confirmed driver for next year.

Not since after the 2018 season, when Tyler Reddick left for Richard Childress Racing after winning the Xfinity Series championship, has the #9 Chevrolet needed a new driver.

A few weeks ago, team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke about the future of that car and confirmed that it would indeed be returning to the team’s lineup for 2023, noting that the team were “into some great opportunities” to field it again next year.

He stated that he couldn’t wait to make an announcement, but he stopped short of naming a driver (or drivers), simply stating that the team had “some exciting prospects and programs that could potentially be in the #9 car next year”.

Now an announcement is expected “soon”, according to the team on Twitter.

Dale Jr. has become prolific at using emojis to describe upcoming announcements, having “leaked” the news that Kyle Busch is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to join Richard Childress Racing behind the wheel of the #8 Chevrolet in the Cup Series next year.

There are a handful of drivers who would make good replacements for Gragson behind the wheel of the #9 Chevrolet, though whether the team opt to replace him with a single driver or a rotation of drivers remains to be seen.