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Adam Stern dropped an interesting tidbit of NASCAR news saying that Live Fast refused to comment on whether or not they could sell their charter. Stern specifically name-dropped a team that could be in the market for a charter in 2024, but what other teams could potentially be in that market? Here is a look at which teams, based purely on speculation, could be in the market for a charter in 2024.
.@TeamLiveFast has declined comment on @NASCAR industry chatter that it could sell its charter soon, with @SpireMotorsport seen as among the suitors.
🔲 Among options Spire would have with the charter is helping a team like Trackhouse if it needed a spot for @ZaneSmith in 2024. pic.twitter.com/hG5QWci1Vg— Adam Stern (@A_S12) September 13, 2023
Stern specifically name-dropped Spire Motorsports as a team that could buy the charter. This is consistent with what the general rumor has been surrounding Spire. They are an up-and-coming race team with a major sponsorship coming in from Gainbridge, and a driver to build around in Corey LaJoie.
Stern specifically mentioned Spire taking the charter in order to allow Zane Smith to be loaned to them for Trackhouse. In this instance, the charter could probably be leased out to Spire from Trackhouse for the purpose of letting Smith in the Cup Series. It’s odd to see why Spire would want that specific arrangement because they probably want to own their own charter. Jeff Dickerson specifically said, “We’re looking to acquire”, but does basically taking a driver on loan work for a team trying to work their way up?
Obviously, there are some business complications that may be going on behind the scenes in the Stern reports, but if Trackhouse really wants Zane Smith, then why not just buy the charter outright? Justin Marks is someone who will do whatever it takes to get his guy, and why not just buy the charter outright to bring Smith in-house? Not only could he try to buy the charter, but he could also try to buy whatever assets that the team has to help make a car for Smith.
Yes, the signing of SVG may complicate things, but they do not need a full-time charter for SVG until 2025 at the earliest. However, charters are expensive, and it might be worthwhile to get the charter leased out to someone like Spire for one season so that they get a second charter next year. As a result, the first charter is somewhat discounted since it was leased out. It may be tough to sell to Spire, but maybe it could be done.
Brad Keselowski has been open about the fact that he wants to expand RFK Racing. Unfortunately, charters are expensive, and it seemed for a long time that no charters were available. Now, times have changed and it seems that a charter might be available.
However, Keselowski does not seem to be ultra-desperate to expand RFK immediately. It makes sense as the race team is doing pretty well as it is, and the new TV deal coming up in 2025 could complicate things. It may be best for RFK to hold off for a little bit since there is no incentive to do anything major at the moment.
Front Row Motorsports is in an interesting situation. They recently signed Todd Gilliland and Michael McDowell for next year, but they have a great prospect in the Truck Series in Zane Smith. This could be a chance for Front Row to keep Smith.
They have run a third car in races before, and a charter plus maybe some assets from Live Fast could give them what they need to run that third car. This allows them to keep that key prospect in Smith and expand to three cars. The problem is that it may be too late in the game to make this type of expansion with Front Row already making plans for next year.
The fans gave some of their ideas on social media as a response to the Adam Stern tweet. Some came up with unique ideas for who that charter could go to.
Kaulig Nation Podcast would love it to be a Kaulig Racing gaining the charter.
Scott Boyes does not want to see Live Fast go away.
Kenny poses the question of why Trackhouse would not just buy the charter outright.
Chris does not want to see Spire get another charter.
It will be interesting to see how this charter business gets worked out. We have gone from no charters being available to a charter very possibly being available. Where could this possibly go?
