The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season has brought us a lot of great racing on the track. There is also another season that happens off the track. NASCAR Silly Season refers to the movement of drivers from one car or team to another from the current season to the next. This year, we have seen some bombshells drop, and there are possibly more changes to come going forward. That being said, let’s get into the moves that have been made so far.
NASCAR Silly Season Confirmed Moves
Brad Keselowski | Roush-Fenway Racing No. 6
The most recent NASCAR Silly Season announcement of a driver change is that Brad Keselowski will leave the No. 2 car and Team Penske to move into the No. 6 car for Roush-Fenway Racing. Keselowski has spent all but one season of his NASCAR Cup Series career at Team Penske. Keselowski said that he wanted to be a part of the sport after he is done driving and RFR gave him that opportunity with a minority ownership role. As a driver, he will look to bring Roush its first championship since 2004.
Austin Cindric | Team Penske No. 2
The vacated No. 2 car will have rookie stripes on it next year. 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Austin Cindric will come up and join the big boys to replace Brad Keselowski. Cindric has raced in some Cup races so far this season and has won four Xfinity Series races driving for The Captain, Roger Penske. The current Xfinity Series points leader was originally planned to take over the No. 21 car of Wood Brothers Racing. Instead, he joins the main Team Penske fleet.
Harrison Burton | Wood Brothers Racing No. 21
Brad Keselowski to RFR isn’t the only NASCAR silly season move that sees a driver change teams. Harrison Burton will change from the Toyota Racing Development camp to the Ford Performance camp. Burton takes over the No. 21 Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing which was vacated with Austin Cindric going to the No. 2. NASCAR Cup Series driver Matt DiBenedetto is in the car right now, but Wood Brothers and Roger Penske still decided to look elsewhere. Penske said that this year was given to DiBenedetto so that he could build his brand and he would be let go after.
Trackhouse Racing Buys Chip Ganassi Racing
This is probably the biggest news that we have seen in NASCAR silly season for a long time. Justin Marks and Pitbull’s Trackhouse Racing Team has agreed to buy the assets and charters from Chip Ganassi Racing. The amount that was paid has not and will not come out according to both teams. Chip Ganassi said that his team was not for sale, but Marks gave him an offer that was too good to refuse. Ganassi will not field a NASCAR Cup Series team next season for the first time since 2000.
NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Without Confirmed Rides for 2022
The following list includes each of the current NASCAR Cup Series drivers who do not have a confirmed ride and team for next season. Race team and car numbers reflect their current 2021 rides. Considering the talent and names on the list, one can only imagine what big news awaits as NASCAR silly season rolls on.
- Kurt Busch | Chip Ganassi Racing No. 1
- Ross Chastain | Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42
- Ryan Newman | Roush-Fenway Racing No. 6
- Matt DiBenedetto | Wood Brothers Racing No. 21
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