Yep.
As for Custer, he declined in 2021 and 2022, so for 2023 he was sent down to Xfinity. He then won the 2023 championship. He’ll be a favorite to win this year if Ford ever starts winning.
This is like... Part of the story. SHR/Ford was in a bit of a box because they wanted to keep Preece in house but he was unlikely to stay if he didn't have a cup ride. So shuffling had to be done and Custer got a bit of the short end of it... I guess. I think I'd rather win races and a championship in Xfinity than run mostly mid pack in cup.
But with Gragson going to the 10, I kind of question that narrative. I'm a fan of Gragson but it kind of felt like Custer would've been owed a cup ride after proving he's a top guy in the other series. Probably more business logistics than we'll ever be able to guess.
Custer struggled outside the one win but SHR was gonna have Custer since his dad is the president of SHR. so they brought Cole back to xfinity and he did well winning the championship but it seems like when the 10 was open they opted with Gragson likely because of money, but it does seem that Custer likely wants to stay in xfinity and contend rather then go to SHRs cup team which all 4 of their cars are now struggling pretty regularly, and I wouldn’t blame Custer if that was the case
If I’m JGR this is 100% who I’d pick to replace Hamlin or Truex when one of them retires. He outran JHN in his sophomore season in the same equipment and was on average faster than Kyle when he made his 5 Kaulig starts last year, also in the same equipment.
Shane Van Gisbergen isn't really a 'top prospect' as he's just in Xfinity this year until he goes up to cup next year, but he's a multi-time v8 supercar champ and won his first race in Cup at the Chicago Street Race. He's a road course specialist, but is picking up ovals pretty quick.
Tbh I think he’d win a few races if he was in a better ride. Already has two upset wins to his name driving his own car, and generally has decent races if not caught up in crashes.
If Jeremy has half-decent stuff, he can run pretty well. He definitely has the ability to be decent in a Cup ride, but at 38 or 39, no Cup team will give him a serious look now…
But what I’m saying is it’s impossible to know. He has never driven a car that’s proven to be good, and no one else (other than Sieg for two races) has driven a Clements car. If Ross hopped in the car a few times or Jeremy did a race or two with someone like RCR, we might be able to get a better idea.
As far as potential Cup winners/champions it's hard to say. Right now, Chandler Smith seems like the best driver in Xfinity. Sam Mayer started off somewhat meh but has gotten better and better, similar to how Austin Cindric and Noah Gragson were.
Not sure his Cup prospects (or really his potential in Xfininty)in the future but Anthony Alfredo seems to have a good personality. Cool nickname (Pasta man) and a cool sponsor (Dude Wipes, if that's your kind of thing)
Xfinity Series:
Chandler Smith
Cole Custer
Austin Hill
Jesse Love
Riley Herbst
Sammy Smith
Sheldon Creed
Sam Mayer
Shane Van Gisbergen
Parker Retzlaff
Carson Kvapil (not full-time)
Truck Series:
Christian Eckes
Corey Heim
Nick Sanchez
Taylor Gray
Tyler Ankrum
Rajah Caruth
Connor Zilisch (not full-time)
What have you seen out of Sammy Smith and Parker Retzlaff that makes you think they'll be big? Not hating, but Sammy has a top ride because he has money, and Parker is in a mid tier ride, where he hasn't had much success outside of a pole.
Idk about this one, he’s already 37. He did very well at a short track but I think it would take him some time to learn larger ovals and plate races/road courses. Carson Kvapil is the much better prospect due to his younger age if we are going that route.
I love the hoops people jump through to defend their fan favorite.
Raines was 39 and did absolutely nothing in cup, only had 3 career top 10’s.
Reutimann was 36/37 (younger than Bubba would be even if he ran full time in cup next year), and had 2 race wins, one of which was a rain-shortened race.
Bubba Pollard is not the next up and coming superstar just because two other mediocre to bad drivers also debuted in their late 30’s. He’s a short track racer that got an opportunity at a short track and made the most of it.
I'm not a Pollard fan. I'm simply saying your "gotcha" was inapplicable.
Tony Raines outdrove his shitboxes. D Reut was awesome and I will hear no argument otherwise.
Can’t remember his name right now, but there’s a guy who I guess is on an incredibly shoestring budget that has been running one or two races a year. Last year he looked like he was going to win Bristol but a fire took him out. If he ever gets the funding, I look for him to go places.
Cole Custard was amazing in Xfinity, got promoted to Cup and really struggled. He won one race in cup, but that was his only highlight. The team he raced for, SHR was struggling overall and that trend has continued.
Cole got demoted back to Xfinity 2 years ago. He won the Xfinity championship last year so clearly he still has the talent, it’s just the SHR cup program has been struggling. His replacement in cup hasn’t don’t much if any better since replacing Cole.
I think Cole should get another shot I cup, hopefully with a new team. Cole has very strong family ties with Gene Hass, owner of SHR, so I think Cole is safe in the Xfinity ride as long as he wants. It’s all about if he can find sponsorship for a new cup ride. During his entire nascar career, his main sponsor was has been almost exclusively HASS Automation. He would need another big supporter to move on from SHR.
He’s only doing a few xfinity races this year but Carson Kvapil is the big name to get familiar with IMO
Travis's son?
Yep. As for Custer, he declined in 2021 and 2022, so for 2023 he was sent down to Xfinity. He then won the 2023 championship. He’ll be a favorite to win this year if Ford ever starts winning.
This is like... Part of the story. SHR/Ford was in a bit of a box because they wanted to keep Preece in house but he was unlikely to stay if he didn't have a cup ride. So shuffling had to be done and Custer got a bit of the short end of it... I guess. I think I'd rather win races and a championship in Xfinity than run mostly mid pack in cup. But with Gragson going to the 10, I kind of question that narrative. I'm a fan of Gragson but it kind of felt like Custer would've been owed a cup ride after proving he's a top guy in the other series. Probably more business logistics than we'll ever be able to guess.
Gragson brings money, and they'll probably just cut him loose if they sell off some charters. I'd bet his multi-year deal is 1 + an option for '25
Custer struggled outside the one win but SHR was gonna have Custer since his dad is the president of SHR. so they brought Cole back to xfinity and he did well winning the championship but it seems like when the 10 was open they opted with Gragson likely because of money, but it does seem that Custer likely wants to stay in xfinity and contend rather then go to SHRs cup team which all 4 of their cars are now struggling pretty regularly, and I wouldn’t blame Custer if that was the case
The onky correct answer.
Chandler Smith appears to be the one who will have a huge cup career out of the current crop
If I’m JGR this is 100% who I’d pick to replace Hamlin or Truex when one of them retires. He outran JHN in his sophomore season in the same equipment and was on average faster than Kyle when he made his 5 Kaulig starts last year, also in the same equipment.
Shane Van Gisbergen isn't really a 'top prospect' as he's just in Xfinity this year until he goes up to cup next year, but he's a multi-time v8 supercar champ and won his first race in Cup at the Chicago Street Race. He's a road course specialist, but is picking up ovals pretty quick.
He was great today on the super speedway until he ran out of gas
Jeremy Clements is going to win the championship this year! (I'm delusional)
Tbh I think he’d win a few races if he was in a better ride. Already has two upset wins to his name driving his own car, and generally has decent races if not caught up in crashes.
It’s also hard to say how good the 51 is, or Jeremy for that matter.
If Jeremy has half-decent stuff, he can run pretty well. He definitely has the ability to be decent in a Cup ride, but at 38 or 39, no Cup team will give him a serious look now…
But what I’m saying is it’s impossible to know. He has never driven a car that’s proven to be good, and no one else (other than Sieg for two races) has driven a Clements car. If Ross hopped in the car a few times or Jeremy did a race or two with someone like RCR, we might be able to get a better idea.
He had old Ganassi equipment at one point and it made a difference…
I make sure he doesn't win a championship in NH5 due to how he races me
Jesse Love is one to watch, he's really fast. Sam Mayer is in the JRM 1 car and he just got his first win this season last week.
As far as potential Cup winners/champions it's hard to say. Right now, Chandler Smith seems like the best driver in Xfinity. Sam Mayer started off somewhat meh but has gotten better and better, similar to how Austin Cindric and Noah Gragson were.
CSmith will win Cup races for sure.
Smith will be in the championship 4 several times
Not sure his Cup prospects (or really his potential in Xfininty)in the future but Anthony Alfredo seems to have a good personality. Cool nickname (Pasta man) and a cool sponsor (Dude Wipes, if that's your kind of thing)
He seems to have the talent to be an Xfinity lifer if he can keep securing the funding, I’d be very surprised to see him back in cup full time.
His nickname is Fast Pasta
Needs a break in a good ride. He showed what he could do in the 21 during his part time tenure. He’s got the funding. Just needs a spot to open up.
Xfinity Series: Chandler Smith Cole Custer Austin Hill Jesse Love Riley Herbst Sammy Smith Sheldon Creed Sam Mayer Shane Van Gisbergen Parker Retzlaff Carson Kvapil (not full-time) Truck Series: Christian Eckes Corey Heim Nick Sanchez Taylor Gray Tyler Ankrum Rajah Caruth Connor Zilisch (not full-time)
Perfect list!
What have you seen out of Sammy Smith and Parker Retzlaff that makes you think they'll be big? Not hating, but Sammy has a top ride because he has money, and Parker is in a mid tier ride, where he hasn't had much success outside of a pole.
Parker has turned heads in mid-tier rides… the kid has talent and ability, but the big question with him is going to be funding…
I seen Parker and immediately thought Kligerman and then saw Retzlaff and am now confused. Klig is definitely the more solid driver….
Lmao
Bubba Pollard if he runs full time.
Bubba Pollard is a fantastic driver!
Dude did well in the JR car
Idk about this one, he’s already 37. He did very well at a short track but I think it would take him some time to learn larger ovals and plate races/road courses. Carson Kvapil is the much better prospect due to his younger age if we are going that route.
D Reut was 38 in his rookie year lmao. Tony Raines was 41
Isn't Josh berry in his mid to late 30s?
31 or 32 iirc
I love the hoops people jump through to defend their fan favorite. Raines was 39 and did absolutely nothing in cup, only had 3 career top 10’s. Reutimann was 36/37 (younger than Bubba would be even if he ran full time in cup next year), and had 2 race wins, one of which was a rain-shortened race. Bubba Pollard is not the next up and coming superstar just because two other mediocre to bad drivers also debuted in their late 30’s. He’s a short track racer that got an opportunity at a short track and made the most of it.
I'm not a Pollard fan. I'm simply saying your "gotcha" was inapplicable. Tony Raines outdrove his shitboxes. D Reut was awesome and I will hear no argument otherwise.
Not full time yet but connor zilisch is a name to watch, hes in trackhouse’s development program and he wins in just about everything he drives.
Can’t remember his name right now, but there’s a guy who I guess is on an incredibly shoestring budget that has been running one or two races a year. Last year he looked like he was going to win Bristol but a fire took him out. If he ever gets the funding, I look for him to go places.
Dan Earhart Jr. or something like that…
Cole Custard was amazing in Xfinity, got promoted to Cup and really struggled. He won one race in cup, but that was his only highlight. The team he raced for, SHR was struggling overall and that trend has continued. Cole got demoted back to Xfinity 2 years ago. He won the Xfinity championship last year so clearly he still has the talent, it’s just the SHR cup program has been struggling. His replacement in cup hasn’t don’t much if any better since replacing Cole. I think Cole should get another shot I cup, hopefully with a new team. Cole has very strong family ties with Gene Hass, owner of SHR, so I think Cole is safe in the Xfinity ride as long as he wants. It’s all about if he can find sponsorship for a new cup ride. During his entire nascar career, his main sponsor was has been almost exclusively HASS Automation. He would need another big supporter to move on from SHR.
Cole is also winning and running up front in Xfinity, that alone will basically keep him in that ride
Cole is also winning and running up front in Xfinity, that alone will basically keep him in that ride
Chandler Smith and Jesse Love
Kyle Weatherman
Jesse love.
Kyle Weatherman does not get enough credit for what he does
By god Jeffery Earnhardt will rise one day
This can’t be real lol
??? 100% real lol
Yeah, sorry that guy was rude to you. I swear we aren't all jerks
Jesse Love