Every Single Open Entry NASCAR Team in the Next-Gen Era
What’s Happening? Open entries have become less and less common in the Next-Gen era, but, we asked the question, how have…
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Since the introduction of the NASCAR Next Gen Car in 2022, NASCAR has seen an influx of major teams fielding a third or fourth “All-Star” car. However, it seems as if these cars are tapering off. So, is the end of the All-Star car around the corner?
What’s Happening? Open entries have become less and less common in the Next-Gen era, but, we asked the question, how have…
The changes that the NASCAR Next Gen Car brought to the sport were lengthy. However, its drivability, along with cost-cutting measures, led to teams introducing “open” part-time cars that fans affectionately refer to as “All-Star” cars. Teams used these cars for racing legends, both domestic and international.
The first and most prominent of these was Project 91, a car fielded by Trackhouse that made its debut in 2022. Kimi Räikkönen drove that car on its debut at Watkins Glen. This car is by far the most successful, with Shane Van Gisbergen winning at Chicago last season.
In 2023, 23XI debuted its car, the No. 67, driven by Travis Pastrana, in the Daytona 500. RCR also expanded their third car into an open car in 2023, with Australian superstar Brodie Kostecki behind the wheel.
This year, RFK Racing introduced Stage 60, with the car driven by David Ragan, Cam Waters, and Joey Hand. Notably, this season, Kaulig Racing transitioned their full-time No. 16 into a pseudo-all-star car, with SVG and A.J. Allmendinger making starts in the car.
Fans have loved these cars with the big names and new faces they have brought to a traditionally Southeastern sport. So, why are there worries that these entries could become a thing of the past?
These cars’ declining starts began quietly after Trackhouse Racing announced that SVG would race full-time for Kaulig Racing’s Xfinity Series team this season with part-time Cup Starts. However, these starts would not be in the Project 91 entry but for Kaulig’s No. 16. Since SVG’s final start at the Indianapolis Road Course last season, the No. 91 has not returned.
Furthermore, Kaulig is taking their driverless car back to a full-time talent in 2025, with A.J. Allmendinger returning to the car after an extremely inconsistent season and spelling an end to the only full-time All-Star Car. Furthermore, the No. 33 has had only one non-RCR driver start a race this season, with Will Brown entering the car at Sonoma.
While Stage 60 and 23XI’s now No. 50 have raced with relative consistency this season, the rumor mill suggests that they may have full-time drivers in 2025.
First, Riley Herbst and his fountains of sponsorship are tied to a third car at 23XI. This is pending several legal matters surrounding the team’s ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR. However, Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports expects the car to go forward with or without a charter.
RFK has been the subject of several rumors of expansion, with a recent comment from a high-ranking NASCAR official on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio stating that Ryan Preece will drive the No. 60 next season. This suggests that perhaps Stage 60 is already looking at the end of the line.
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While these entries took a new identity, they are already a spin on NASCAR’s history of fielding cars for other series top dogs. These part-time entries have an ebb and flow to them and have come and gone throughout NASCAR history.
If this is the end of some of these All-Star cars, it is a good ending, with RFK gaining a major sponsor in Kroger. As for 23XI and Trackhouse, they are giving a chance to potential future stars of NASCAR.
For those that may just come to an end, say the No. 33, there is no contractual obligation for these cars to race. However, if this is the end of the “All-Star” concept for now, this is definitely not the end of teams fielding part-time cars.
Spire Motorsports is rumored to be interested in fielding an open car in 2024, perhaps with young Chevrolet drivers at the helm.
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With this changing tide, open entries could once again become developmental cars. Furthermore, in his post about Herbst, Bob Pockrass also states that 23XI is planning on fielding Martin Truex Jr. in an open car in 2025.
So, while these cars could lose their outsider and international flavors, they could perhaps return to their origins as part-time rides for NASCAR rookies and veterans.
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