In NASCAR, smaller teams will typically form technical alliances with bigger teams in order to get better resources. This helps smaller teams who may not have the means yet to build their own cars, and engines, or even hire certain staff members. These are all of the teams that have formal technical alliances for 2024.
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Denny Hamlin extended his driver contract with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023. It came late, and the reason why was the technical alliance with 23XI Racing. 23XI Racing joined NASCAR in 2021, and it has been aligned with JGR ever since. Since 23XI joined the sport, they have won 4 races, and they made the drivers Playoffs for the first time in 2023.
It’s a growing race team, and it was the only other Toyota team alongside JGR in 2023. With Legacy Motor Club joining Toyota, how do they play into the JGR and 23XI Racing plans?
RFK Racing began a technical alliance with Rick Ware Racing in 2023. So far, both teams have shown varying levels of improvement. The alliance between the two was a factor in Justin Haley’s signing with Rick Ware Racing.
To this point, it has worked out for both sides. The question is, can Rick Ware Racing continue to improve in 2024? Will RFK Racing make the jump from race-win contender to Championship contender?
Trackhouse and Spire Motorsports have maybe the most complicated technical alliance of any race team. Zane Smith signed with Trackhouse, who loaned Smith to Spire Motorsports for 2024 through a technical alliance. Spire owns the charter for the entry, however, as they bought it from Live Fast Motorsports.
It’s a complicated agreement, and it is uncertain what happens to it beyond 2024. Is it just a one-year deal for Trackhouse to get Smith into the Cup Series, or is this an alliance that lasts for many years to come?
Front Row Motorsports crew chief, Travis Peterson announced on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio that Front Row Motorsports will align with Team Penske for 2024. This ends an 8-season partnership between FRM and RFK Racing.
The move aligns FRM with the team that has two straight NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Championships. FRM also joins The Wood Brothers as a race team aligned with Team Penske.
Hendrick Motorsports partnered with Spire Motorsports in 2023. This is how both Corey LaJoie filling in for Chase Elliott at Gateway and the HendrickCars.com sponsorship on the 7 Truck in the Truck Series happened. Spire Motorsports saw a lot of growth in 2023, and they are expanding to three cars for 2024.
As Spire grows, it will be interesting to see how this alliance develops. Will Spire and Hendrick continue to find the same value in the alliance, or, could Spire’s alliance with Trackhouse grow?
Kaulig Racing has its race shop on RCR’s campus. Kaulig was also an ECR engines client in 2023, and that further deepens the alliance. While Kaulig has not seen major success in the Cup Series yet aside from two wins, the alliance with RCR is major.
Until Kaulig can find their own shop, this alliance seems like it could last for a long time. How much further could Kaulig and RCR go on for?
Hendrick Motorsports boasted about their engine winning the 2023 Daytona 500 with JTG Daugherty Racing. JTG Daughety has had various technical alliances in the past as well as Hendrick. This one led to a Daytona 500 win in 2023, which is always a major accomplishment.
This will be another interesting alliance to watch in 2024. Hendrick Motorsports is one of the best teams on the grid, and JTG Daugherty enjoyed a solid 2023. The trajectory is up with JTG Daugherty, and. it may only go higher.
Team Penske and the Wood Brothers aligned in 2014. Since then, The Wood Brothers groomed Ryan Blaney before he joined Team Penske. The two also swapped crew chiefs this past season to help two struggling drivers, Harrison Burton and Austin Cindric.
This alliance has lasted for years, and it seems it will continue. Any Wood Brothers driver is a candidate for a Team Penske ride when it is open, and crew chiefs are the same. Will this alliance get The Wood Brothers their 100th victory in 2024?
Technical alliances are a part of the sport, and there are more than some may think. Most race teams are aligned with someone in some fashion, and it sometimes leads to big results.
