Ryan Truex is one of the most intriguing NASCAR free agents in this Silly Season. While he won his first career Xfinity Series race at Dover, Truex has only run six races this season, and his 2024 plans remain in flux. Where can Truex go in 2024?
Of all the rides, this is the easiest one to link because Truex raced for JGR this season. Not only did he race for JGR, but he won with JGR. Now they have two seats open for 2024, and Truex has earned at least a shot with the team.
The issue with Truex is funding. Every race this season he has participated in was sponsored by a Toyota company, so, Treux has been relying on Toyota to fund his racing season. If that is all he has, then it is hard to envision him finding a ride with a team really anywhere, but, maybe he can scrounge up the sponsorship.
Richard Childress Racing’s 2 car opened up when Sheldon Creed and the team decided to part ways. Not only that, but Whelen seems to be sticking with the team. This means that there is at least some funding that RCR is bringing to the table.
That could help solve at least some of Truex’s funding issues. Instead of trying to fund an entire season, maybe he only needs to fund half of a season or even less than that. This could also allow Truex to be in top-rate equipment, and he can continue to win races.
Stewart-Haas Racing is in a strange spot with their Xfinity Series lineup. Riley Herbst is coming back in 2024, but the Cup Series plans for SHR are uncertain. If Aric Almirola retires, then Cole Custer is certainly a potential candidate for that ride.
If that ride opens up, that means that is a potential landing spot for Truex. Truex joining SHR would be another case of Tony Stewart taking a chance on a driver who never got the shot they truly deserved. If anyone deserves a chance, it is probably Truex, but it all depends on how the Aric Almirola decision works out.
ThorSport Racing has an open seat for 2024 with Hailie Deegan moving on to AM Racing in the Xfinity Series in 2024. If Truex wants to race full-time, he may need to look at a prominent Truck Series team, which ThorSport definitely is. Again, funding is going to be an issue, but, funding a full Truck Series season and a full Xfinity Series season are very different things.
The issue may not even be funding, but Ford itself. Ford is in a bad spot with their young drivers after Zane Smith left, and is signing someone like Ryan Truex the best option for a manufacturer in need of young talent?
Niece Motorsports is getting their driver lineup put together for 2024, but why not drive part-time for the team in 2024? If he cannot fund a full season, maybe he can scrounge together a part-time schedule with an All-Star car like Niece Motorsports.
If he gets this, maybe Truex can supplement it with race teams like Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series. It could allow him to have some flexibility in his scheduling, and he can continue to prove himself on the track and to sponsors.
Where could Ryan Truex go in 2024? Could it be to any of the teams on this list?
