Richard Childress Racing surprised many by announcing that Sheldon Creed would not return to the team in 2024. We already looked at where Sheldon Creed could go in 2024, but who will take over that RCR seat in 2024?
AM Racing recently announced Hailie Deegan would drive the number 15 car in 2024, but they made no mention of their current driver Brett Moffitt. It’s not out of the question by any means that Moffitt is shopping his services around. He is a Truck Series Champion, and AM Racing equipment has only gotten him one top-5 this season.
Richard Childress Racing is definitely race-winning equipment, which is something Moffitt has not had in any of his full-time Xfinity Series rides. This is his best chance, especially considering how much funding RCR will provide with Whelen backing them.
Riley Herbst has been rumored to be potentially heading to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024, so, RCR may not work out. However, should those rumors be true, it proves that Herbst is shopping around. If JGR does not work out, RCR could be an ideal spot for Herbst to land.
Herbst already has funding from Monster Energy, and combining that with Whelen would mean the ride should be fully funded. The question is whether or not Whelen wants to share car real estate with Monster Energy. On top of that, if he is already set on going to Gibbs or staying at SHR, why would Herbst even look over here?
Christian Eckes has enjoyed his best Truck Series season yet with three wins this season. He has yet to make an Xfinity Series start, but this could be a spot for him to land. RCR looks like they will keep Whelen, which could mitigate some funding concerns Eckes has.
On top of that, Eckes is already a Chevrolet driver. Maybe Chevrolet could provide some support, albeit probably not a ton of support. Regardless, Eckes has proven this year he deserves a shot further up the pipeline, and this may be his chance to do it.
Many people immediately went to Ty Dillon for the ride given him losing his Cup Series ride with Spire. However, Bob Pockrass has noted that he does not expect Dillon to get the ride. Things can change, but, it’s not common for Dillon to drive RCR equipment anyway.
As a matter of fact, he has not driven RCR equipment for a full season since 2016 in the Xfinity Series. On top of that, Dillon may have prospects in Cup in 2024, and that could limit his interest in an Xfinity ride. Then again, anything can happen.
Another option RCR has for 2024 is making this car an All-Star Car. Kaulig Racing has done this with their 10 and 11 cars. It allows RCR to garner owner’s points by putting a host of top drivers into it, instead of committing to just one driver.
RCR does not have an immediate need for a young driver given that Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon should be with the team long-term. It may be a good stop-gap solution until someone else comes along.
Who else could slot into this prominent Xfinity Series ride? Many drivers would definitely want it, but the question is who will get it?
