This is the offseason, right? NASCAR concluded their 2020 season a few weeks ago at the Phoenix Raceway. The NTT IndyCar Series wrapped up their campaign last month on the streets of St. Pete. NHRA has been done for a few weeks. IMSA had their season finale last Saturday.
Despite that, this week has been rather busy.
It all started Monday when Jeb Burton was announced as the driver of the No. 10 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing. A few hours later, John Hunter Nemechek shocked everyone by saying that he’d not return to Front Row Motorsports after all. Sandwiched between that was Chip Ganassi Racing unveiling that they’d return to IMSA for 2021 and take over the Cadillac’s left empty from Wayne Taylor Racing.
That was also the day that NASCAR held the first day of a two day test for the 2022 car at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. tested on the ROVAL that day/night.
Monday:
- Burton to Kaulig In 2021
- Nemechek won’t be returning to Front Row Motorsports In 2021 Now
- Ganassi going back to IMSA In 2021
- NASCAR transforming to a new era
Slow news cycle. Sarcasm.
The next day, the Busch Clash eligibility requirements came out. Then, ARCA announced that their season opener would take place on the Saturday before the Daytona 500 now as a doubleheader with the Xfinity Series. After that, Joe Gibbs Racing announced some crew chief changes which included Adam Stevens and Kyle Busch breaking up with Busch getting Ben Beshore and Stevens moving to Christopher Bell’s pit box.
Tuesday:
- Busch Clash Eligiblity Requirements
- ARCA season opener moved to Daytona 500 weekend
- JGR Crew Chief Changes for 2021
- Montoya to DragonSpeed for WEC
Wednesday featured some Indy Lights news with Kyle Kirkwood racing for Andretti Autosport in 2021. That comes a day after a new partnership among an existing team and a new team took place to form a four car operation for 2021. Eldora revealed that they’d not be on the NASCAR schedule in 2021 as they said that they were dropped from the Truck Series calendar. Also, you had the 2022 car testing on the Charlotte oval this time and the Awards Banquet on Wednesday night.
Wednesday:
- Kirkwood, new teams formed for Indy Lights for 2021
- Eldora not on 2021 Trucks schedule
- Oval test didn’t give good feedback for new car, why that’s not a big deal yet
Thursday featured the full Truck Series 2021 schedule coming out with.
Thursday:
- Truck Series 2021 schedule unveiled, my 5 main takeaways from it
- Bass Pro Shops, other sponsors return to Gragson’s No. 9 Chevrolet for 2021
Then on Friday, the new Matt Tifft/BJ McLeod Cup Series team and details were announced with a third different new team being formed for NASCAR’s top level for 2021.
Friday:
This is just another offseason week. Now, we head to hopefully a quieter weekend before Thanksgiving week.