The Official 2019 Nascar Thread

As I mentioned before, it's silly season again.
I hear that the 47 has an open seat, maybe he'll go there, or not, there's always Nationwise (aka Busch series) or is that the other way around?

Richard Childress Racing stayed in-house to fill the vacancy on its No. 31 Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, tabbing Daniel Hemric to man the seat beginning in 2019

per NASCAR

JTG Daugherty Racing announced Sept. 28 that Ryan Preece will drive the No. 47 Chevrolet, taking over the seat from AJ Allmendinger.

per NASCAR

I sure didn't see this move coming ...

Chad Knaus will serve as crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet for driver William Byron in 2019, a move that will end the longest current driver-crew chief pairing in the NASCAR garage with Knaus and Jimmie Johnson.

Hendrick Motorsports announced the news Wednesday as part of a reshuffling of crew chiefs for two of its four teams in the Monster Energy Series. Johnson will be paired with Kevin Meendering, currently a crew chief for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, on the No. 48 Chevrolet operation next year.

info from NASCAR's website

another change for 2019 that I hadn't heard was even being discussed


NASCAR drivers will no longer be able to make in-race trackbar adjustments from their cars in 2019.

The news emerged from a Monday morning appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio by Scott Miller, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition. Miller said that drivers had pushed for the change.


info from NASCAR's website

I heard that earlier today, remember Jimmy lost Lowes, and I don't think Mr. H is happy with Jimmy right now, since he blew his chance to move on in the chase after the race at Lowes/Charlotte.
Jimmy got greedy, and paid the price, now, Chase is the only Hendricks car in the chase, and he's not quite "smooth" enough to make it the whole way.
Hendricks is looking pretty bad in the final playoffs.

things that will be different in 2019 === > https://www.nascar.com/gallery/end-season-goodbyes-2018-edition/#/0

Yes, the 2019 season is getting changes, but it's hard to believe the drivers push for the no track bar adjustments.
That just sounds kinda wrong. We'll have to wait and see, hello IROC …….. sigh

It's official.... Kurt Busch to the #1 Chevy Camaro CGR car w/ Monster as primary sponsor.

[URL]http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/25437798/kurt-busch-heading-chip-ganassi-racing[/URL]

Interesting part of this... it's for a one year deal and is expected to be Kurt last year of full time competition. Ok, I get that if you're Kurt. But have to wonder what Ganassi's long term plan is here? Obviously this means that CGR does not view Suarez as a long term fit. Perhaps this is just a one year hold before CGR puts another young up/comer in the 1 car for 2020? Will be Kurt's 20th year in NASCAR. Crazy. Seems like just a couple years ago he was taking over for Chad Little... then getting punched in the mouth by Jimmy Spencer. LOL!!

JEBar said:

It's official.... Kurt Busch to the #1 Chevy Camaro CGR car w/ Monster as primary sponsor.

http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/2018/story/_/id/25437798/kurt-busch-heading-chip-ganassi-racing

Interesting part of this... it's for a one year deal and is expected to be Kurt last year of full time competition. Ok, I get that if you're Kurt. But have to wonder what Ganassi's long term plan is here? Obviously this means that CGR does not view Suarez as a long term fit. Perhaps this is just a one year hold before CGR puts another young up/comer in the 1 car for 2020? Will be Kurt's 20th year in NASCAR. Crazy. Seems like just a couple years ago he was taking over for Chad Little... then getting punched in the mouth by Jimmy Spencer. LOL!!

Click to expand...

The Spencer thing happened when Kurt was at #2 car a couple of years after he won his Championship for the Captain (Penske). But that was a long time ago when racing was less IROC. Kurt was a true hot head. And fights between drivers was a lot more common. But I knew Kurt wanted out of Stewart-Haas, he didn't feel he was getting the support he deserved.
Kurt has been around for a long time, and has been on a lot of different teams (most of which are no longer). Trouble does seem to follow Kurt.