The start of the 2023 NASCAR racing season is still two months away and there are plenty of deals still being struck to sign drivers and crew members.
A number of drivers have been signed in the past few days; securing their futures…for at least another year.
After just missing the championship four in the playoffs in the Camping World Truck Series last season, Carson Hocevar returns to Niece Motorsports and the number 42 truck in what is now the Craftsman Truck Series. Hocevar will be sponsored by WWEX Racing.
Hocevar spoke on his return to the 42 team saying, “Niece Motorsports feels like home, so I’m excited to come back and compete for a championship in 2023. I’m so thankful to Worldwide Express and their WWEX Racing program for stepping up to sponsor us for the whole season. I’ve enjoyed the partnership and really look forward to growing it next season. Our goal remains to bring Niece Motorsports, Al Niece and WWEX Racing wins and a championship in 2023.”
He added, “I’ve dreamed of racing in NASCAR since I was a little kid. To be preparing for my third full-time season in the Truck Series is surreal. Thanks to Al Niece and everyone at Niece Motorsports, Chevrolet, the Worldwide Express family of brands, Premier Security Solutions, GM Parts Now, and Scott’s Coins, Jewelry & Sports for getting me here. Their support means the world.”
The teen let the racing world know just how serious he was about his job when he secured a pole position just a week after breaking his ankle in an on track incident. Last season he earned 12 top 10 finishes with seven of those being in the top five. He led 282 laps during the 23 race season and won two race stages.
Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw spoke on the 19 year driver who is known for his unique head coverings saying, “we are thrilled to have Carson return to Niece Motorsports next season and excited to expand our partnership with Worldwide Express. Carson has proven time and time again what a tremendous talent he is, and we are glad that he’ll be back behind the wheel of our Chevrolets again next year. We couldn’t do this without great partners, so we are incredibly thankful to have full season support from Worldwide Express. We look forward to making them proud on and off the track.”
With Noah Gragson moving up to the Cup Series, JR Motorsports chose Brandon Jones to take over the driving duties of the Joe Gibbs Racing number 19 car. Joe Gibbs Racing has chosen not to sign a single driver to fill in behind the steering wheel for the 2023 Xfinity Series. The first of the part time drivers to run in the number 19 car is Ryan Truex for six races.
Truex drove five races for JGR last season in the number 18 Xfinity Series car. Earlier this week JGR announced that Sammy Smith would be driving the number 18 car full time next season in the Xfinity Series.
Ryan’s big brother Martin drives full time for JGR in the number 19 car in the Cup Series.
After running part time last season, Kaz Grala gets a full time ride with Sam Hunt Racing – the first driver to run a full season for the team – in the number 26 Xfinity Series car.
Via a team release, Grala spoke on his first full time season since 2017 saying, “I’ve scratched and clawed for each opportunity over the past several seasons, and while it hasn’t been easy, it’s made me appreciate this sport and its difficulty more than I ever could have if things had been easy. I feel like everything has finally come together at the perfect time in my life with the right team around me to start that next chapter in my career. I couldn’t be more proud and hopeful heading into 2023 with Sam Hunt Racing with a chance to compete for a championship. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this point, and I intend to make the absolute most of it next year and beyond.”
Connor Mosack will drive the number 24 car for 20 Xfinity Series races for Sam Hunt next season.
Running only a handful of races last season, Mosack spoke on his new opportunity next season saying, “being able to run 20 races in the Xfinity Series next year is a really big deal to me. Two years ago, I didn’t really know where I was going or how I was going to get there. Racing in this series is a big step toward where I want to go, and I’m excited it is with a team like Sam Hunt Racing. With SHR being a growing team, I know I can develop relationships with everyone involved and continue to learn from them. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Sam and trust that his team and values will help to develop me as a driver.”
After signing Sammy Smith to drive the number 18 car full time next season in the Xfinity Series, Joe Gibbs Racing has filled in another spot by signing John Hunter Nemechek to drive the number 20 car in the Xfinity Series full time next season.
Nemechek has spent the past two seasons in the Camping World Truck Series driving the number four truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Ironically, Nemechek’s crew chief in the number 20 car will be Ben Beshore who served as crew chief for Kyle Busch in the number 18 Cup Series car.