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NASCAR: 3 candidates for 23XI Racing expansion in 2025

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NASCAR: 3 candidates for 23XI Racing expansion in 2025

As a dedicated NASCAR fan with years of experience following the sport, I’m thrilled to share my perspective on the potential expansion of 23XI Racing in 2025. Having witnessed their impressive growth since their debut in 2021 and the recent rumors of their possible acquisition of a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, I can’t help but be excited about the possibilities for this dynamic team.

As a dedicated fan, I’m excitedly following the progress of the racing team co-owned by NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin and basketball legend Michael Jordan. There are rumors that they might be considering expanding their team operations in the year 2025.

As a passionate fan, I’ve noticed an exciting development with 23XI Racing since they entered the Cup Series in 2021. In just their first year, they made heads turn every race weekend. Bubba Wallace clinched his initial victory during that season, and last year, they expanded to field two cars. Since then, they’ve racked up an impressive five wins, with Tyler Reddick securing one this year at Huntersville, North Carolina’s track. The team has undeniably found their footing in the Cup Series.

Their achievement goes beyond just Wallace and Reddick in 21XI Racing. Since 2023, they’ve raced a third car in certain events, driven by drivers like Travis Pastrana, Kamui Kobayashi, and Corey Heim.

After Stewart-Haas Racing declared they would be shutting down and selling off three of their four racing charters, there have been whispers that 23XI Racing might purchase one of these charters following the 2024 season, thereby expanding their team to a total of three.

Here are three possible candidates for 23XI Racing expansion in 2025.

No. 1 – Rotational ride/Star car

Charter entries for 23XI Racing needn’t always be operated by full-time drivers. They might adopt the strategy of Kaulig Racing and Rick Ware Racing, where drivers like Kobayashi participate in road and street course races while allowing others to handle oval events.

Hamlin announced that Martin Truex Jr., set to retire from full-time racing soon, is welcome to drive for 23XI Racing in any race he chooses. If Truex intends to race part-time in 2025, 23XI could be a potential option. Additionally, Erik Jones of Legacy Motor Club, another Toyota driver, might be searching for a new team next year.

Next year, 23XI Racing could consider obtaining a charter and introducing a new team with a roster that includes ringers, semi-retired racing legends, and drivers from Toyota Racing Development in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series. This approach would allow for some variation in the lineup.

No. 2 – Riley Herbst

Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports shares that Riley Herbst could emerge as a notable driver if 23XI Racing introduces a third full-time car in 2025. From 2017 to 2020, Herbst worked with Toyota, competing for Joe Gibbs Racing in the ARCA Menards Series and Xfinity Series, and Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series.

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that the racecar driver hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada, managed to secure two triumphs in the ARCA Menards Series. However, despite his best efforts, he failed to achieve similar results in the Xfinity Series or the Truck Series when driving for Toyota.

I became a new member of Stewart-Haas Racing’s Xfinity Series team in 2021, making the switch from Herbst to Ford. Behind the wheel of the No. 98 car, I experienced my first career victory at an exhilarating race in Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2023.

I’m a big fan of Herbst, and he’s shared that he has potential offers in each of NASCAR’s national series for the upcoming season. Among those opportunities, racing with 23XI Racing seems particularly appealing to me.

Monster Energy, which has supported him throughout his NASCAR journey, would secure sponsorship deals for him. Notably, Monster Energy is already acquainted with 23XI Racing as they previously sponsored the No. 45 Toyota when Kurt Busch joined the team in 2022. They continued their partnership by sponsoring Reddick when he came on board in 2023.

Herbst has the option to remain in the Xfinity Series, accumulating more experience and aiming for victories. Alternatively, he could move back to the Truck Series with the goal of reigning supreme. However, a proposition from 23XI Racing would be hard to resist.

At 23XI Racing, it’s no secret that if Hamlin and his team have set their sights on a particular driver, they will persistently try to recruit him. They even went so far as to buy Reddick out of his contract with Richard Childress Racing a year ahead of schedule. Could Herbst be their next objective?

No. 3 – Corey Heim

I’ve heard Bob Pockrass talk about a driver named Corey Heim who’s really making waves. He spends his time racing full-time in the Truck Series for Toyota’s Tricon Garage. But what’s even more exciting is that he’s gotten some experience in the Cup Series this season!

I have had the privilege of stepping into the driver’s seat for some esteemed racing teams this year. When Erik Jones was injured, I had the opportunity to race with Legacy Motor Club behind the wheel of the No. 43 Toyota at Dover Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway. Later in the season, I joined forces with 23XI Racing, taking the reins of the No. 50 Toyota at Nashville Superspeedway. Each experience brought unique challenges and opportunities to learn and grow as a driver. The adrenaline rush of being part of these teams and competing at these prestigious tracks is an unforgettable feeling that I will cherish throughout my career.

Heim is considered the promising young driver of 23XI Racing, and their strategic intentions for adding a third entry may heavily depend on him. However, his signing could be hindered if 23XI believes he isn’t yet ready for the full-time commitment of competing in the Cup Series in 2025 due to his youth and lack of experience.

Heim boasts nine victories in the Truck Series; had it not been for his collision with Carson Hocevar during the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway last year, he might have claimed the Truck Series title too.

As a fan, I’d say: If I were in 23XI Racing’s shoes and saw Heim’s promising performance at the Cup Series level, I’d consider teaming up with him as soon as possible, despite the fact that he hasn’t raced a full Xfinity Series season yet. It seems like a smart move to secure such a competent driver for the future.

Given that Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick are already potential contenders for 23XI Racing in the playoffs, providing Heim with some time to grow as a driver over the next one or two years would be beneficial. Additionally, securing his services as their third driver would help prevent other manufacturers from recruiting him away from Toyota.

Heim’s history of jumping ships from Toyota to a rival manufacturer after the 2022 season makes it seem unlikely that he would do so again. However, this was also the case with Chase Briscoe, who left Ford for Toyota when he joined Joe Gibbs Racing. Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan could prevent any potential mishaps in their deal by adding Heim to their third car roster for the 2025 season instead.

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2024-07-17 15:02

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