Since 2017, when Stewart-Haas Racing made the switch from Chevrolet to Ford, it has been Team Penske and Stewart-Haas Racing carrying the banner for Ford. However, times are changing. SHR is in the midst of its worst season in years, and Team Penske has only two wins in the first 24 races.
Coincidentally, RFK Racing and Front Row Motorsports are both Ford teams that are showing significant improvement. As for whether or not these two teams will become the flagship Ford teams in a few years, that remains to be seen. However, Door Bumper Clear talked about how there are a lot of rumors going around about OEM movement, with Freddie Kraft specifically saying that Ford is “shopping”.
Ford could be in the midst of some major changes. What are a few race teams that Ford could be looking to join their conglomerate of race teams heading into 2024?
Kaulig Racing is a team that is experiencing some major changes. Justin Haley is gone for 2024, and his replacement is still to be determined. They are currently far down the pecking order at Chevrolet with teams like Hendrick and Trackhouse above them.
Kaulig is a team that is in need of a jolt with a second season yielding little improvement from last season. Maybe a new manufacturer could be the thing they need.
Spire Motorsports is an up-and-coming race team that has shown modest improvement this season. They also have committed to Corey LaJoie long-term with a contract extension. However, their spot in the Chevrolet pecking order is probably fifth behind Hendrick, Trackhouse, Richard Childress, and Kaulig.
Being the bottom team in the pecking order of a manufacturer is not a good thing. It could be a major detriment to a team’s performance, and a new manufacturer could pour more resources into a race team than the previous one did.
If there is one thing to expect from Trackhouse, it’s the unexpected. Trackhouse is a race team that is looking to break the mold. On one hand, they have had success with Chevrolet, but they are not Chevy’s number 1 team.
Hendrick has that distinction, and Justin Marks may want to try something different. If Ford is willing to put more resources behind the team, then it may make sense for Trackhouse to change OEM’s. However, Marks will not do something like this just for the sake of doing it.
While bringing Kyle Busch in has definitely helped Richard Childress Racing, Austin Dillon is having one of his worst seasons. Busch has also struggled in recent races, which has negated some of the progress the team had in the early races of the season.
This switch is very unlikely as RCR has been a staple Chevrolet team since the Dale Earnhardt days. However, that does not mean that they will not do what they need to if they have to.
Ford could be a team that could change its’ face in the coming years. Could any of these teams be a part of it?
