What Led to JTG-Daughtery Racing’s Rebrand?
What’s Happening? Thursday, JTG-Daugherty Racing officially debuted its new name and ownership. As one of NASCAR’s longest-tenured single-car teams and most…
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Rebuilds happen in all sports; some teams take a full season to assess their needs and spring into action in the offseason to build on their future. NASCAR is no different; this year, three teams took a step back while continuing to make changes for their future. So, let’s look at these teams coming out of a “re-buliding” year, what they’ve added, and what they could look like next season.
What’s Happening? Thursday, JTG-Daugherty Racing officially debuted its new name and ownership. As one of NASCAR’s longest-tenured single-car teams and most…
For months on end, rumors about JTG-Daughtery Racing filled the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series rumor mill. These rumors involved the looming departure of major sponsor Kroger, the departure of two owners, and a co-owner, Gordon Smith, stepping up his role with the team.
The team confirmed this with a rebrand to HYAK Motorsports in November. This rebranding and the loss of Kroger are the only major changes for the team. However, these small changes could make a difference for the No. 47 team in 2025.
For HYAK, 2024 was more of a restructuring year rather than a rebuilding year. On track, 2024 was a letdown for the team. However, they improved late into the season, scoring a huge win at the fall Talladega race. While HYAK is not changing manufacturers or drivers, they could show slight improvement with a breath of fresh air for the team. As far as a worst-case scenario goes, the team could remain stagnant next season, putting up similar numbers to 2024.
One major question fans should ask about HYAK throughout 2025 is whether the small change made the difference or if a greater overhaul of the team is necessary for growth.
For Spire Motorsports, 2024 did not begin as a rebuilding year. Rather, it slowly morphed into one. While rookie Carson Hocevar flourished, cornerstone driver Corey Lajoie fell off statistically, and Trackhouse developmental driver Zane Smith, in a new No. 71 car, also struggled.
The team ultimately hired veteran Michael McDowell alongside Crew Chiefs Travis Peterson and Rodney Childers for 2025. Their moves didn’t stop there when the team “traded” Lajoie to Rick Ware Racing for Justin Haley. Now, rumors of tier-one support from Chevrolet and a deeper relationship with Hendrick Motorsports surround the team. More recently, Spire added veterans Matt McCall and Dax Gerringer to roles within their shop.
This overhaul looks good. Childers and Peterson are renowned for their work. McDowell was one of the fastest drivers in 2024, and Haley continues to shape into a top driver for Chevrolet. While these changes seem like a leap for the team’s short-term future, Spire needs to be aware of the big picture. Even if they don’t gain as much speed right off the bat, they must continue to grow their foundational growth.
What’s Happening? Kaulig Racing has added another piece to the 2025 puzzle. Ty Norris, a longtime NASCAR Executive, is heading to…
Kaulig Racing’s 2024 was a disappointment in both the Cup and Xfinity Series. In Xfinity, their most successful driver was Trackhouse Racing’s Shane Van Gisbergen. SVG, who is heading to the Cup Series full-time in 2025, won three of the team’s four races this season.
Their performance in the Cup series, with the part-time No. 16 and full-time No. 31, was extremely disappointing, leading to rumors that the team could shutter the Cup operation altogether. However, as the summer waned on, the team announced that they were doubling down, bringing A.J. Allmendinger back to the Cup Series full-time.
Kaulig further secured its future with two major signings for their Xfinity Series team. They signed Chevrolet prospect Daniel Dye to the No. 10 and Christian Eckes, who is coming off a record-breaking year in the Truck Series, to drive the the No. 16. They further announced that Ty Dillon would drive the renumbered No. 10 next season, perhaps growing their relationship with RCR.
They didn’t stop there, bringing over Trackhouse Racing President Ty Norris to be the team’s new Chief Business Officer. Norris, known as a team builder, will work alongside President Chris Rice.
All of these moves are to set a firm foundation for Kaulig. The Cup Series team will not win multiple races right off the bat but could improve with help from RCR. When looking at what Kaulig did, they brought on two highly regarded drivers to their Xfinity Series team that will one day be top drivers in the Cup Series.
Furthermore, every team that Ty Norris touches, whether it was Dale Earnhardt Inc., Michael Waltrip Racing, or Trackhouse, seems to grow into a winner. This growth will take time, and it could fall apart; Kaulig has lost top prospects before, like Chandler Smith, who left after 2023. But, if everything holds together, Kaulig may reach new heights after a difficult 2024 season.
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