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Joe Gibbs Racing hired its new, well, new-old driver today with Brandon Jones and sponsor Menards, returning to JGR after a two-year hiatus. Jones fills the roster spot at JGR’s Xfinity Series program, but who could be next?
Harrison Burton is the only current full-time Cup Series driver on this list. However, the second-generation NASCAR driver will be out of a ride after this season.
Burton raced at the Wood Brothers from 2022 to 2024. In those three seasons, Burton had a statistical falloff in each season.
Fortunately, the team and driver turned their 2024 season around with a win at Daytona and a playoff debut. However, this may not be enough to keep him in the Cup Series.
The Cup Series seat market is shrinking with too many drivers and not enough seats, so Burton may have to look to a lower series. Burton ended up at Ford after being in Toyota Racing Development for many years, and since JGR is already having a reunion with Jones, maybe Burton could return as well.
Burton won four races at JGR in the Xfinity series in 2020 and 2021. While he is still young and has a lot of potential, an up-and-coming driver could be due for the slot rather than someone trying to revive their career.
Ryan Truex is a fan favorite to get a full-time ride in 2025, whether or not at JGR.
Truex, brother of NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., is a journeyman driver who has made starts in all three of NASCAR’s National Series. Truex last made a full-time Xfinity series run in 2018 with Kaulig Racing.
He began racing at JGR part-time in 2022. At first, it seemed like a favor to Martin and the Truex family. However, as Ryan has done so many times before, he proved the doubters wrong.
Ryan won his first Xfinity Series race at Dover in the spring of 2023, followed by a late comeback win at the track this spring as well. Truex also won the summer race at Daytona, increasing his stock to get a full-time ride.
While it would be a good fit, Truex is now 32 years old. That would make two full-time veterans at JGR, of which Truex would be the elder. Some point to Josh Berry’s rise as an example of age factoring out. However, Berry had to deal with sponsor troubles, much like Truex and many other older drivers.
If Truex were to get a sponsor, TRD still would want a young driver in the cast at JGR. While Truex has earned a spot, factors outside of his control could keep him out of the ride, at least at JGR.
Taylor Gray is an exciting young prospect for TRD.
After missing the first three Craftsman Truck Series races last season due to age, Taylor has put together great stats at Tricon Garage. The only blemish on his record is the lack of a win.
However, that hasn’t stopped his advancement. JGR’s No. 19 car has hosted Gray in a handful of races this season. With three top-fives, Gray has adjusted well to the Xfinity Series.
A detraction from Gray comes in the form of the pedigree of young and older drivers he is up against for the spot. Not that he wouldn’t be at JGR in the next level soon, but Gray still has work to put in at the Truck Series level.
Looking at a driver like Christian Eckes, who took his time working through the Truck Series, it looks like some more time in a truck could be good for Gray.
Corey Heim is TRD’s hottest prospect. Seemingly, out of nowhere, Heim took the Truck Series by storm in 2022.
Last season, driving the No. 11 for Tricon Garage, Heim won Rookie of The Year, along with three races and a Championship Four appearance. While late-season troubles left him without the championship, Corey came back with a vengeance.
With five wins, just 17 races into 2024, and swapping the points lead with Christian Eckes. Fans and industry insiders have wondered what Heim’s future is after a stellar season.
Sam Hunt Racing fielded Heim in 14 Xfinity Series races in the past two seasons. While not Toyota’s primary team, he outperformed other part-time drivers who had entered races for the SHR.
Heim even got three Cup Series starts this season, two at Legacy Motor Club and one at 23XI. While fans hope that Heim could be at JGR next season, the Cup Series could be calling.
23XI could buy the final charter from Stewart-Haas Racing’s firesale. If so, Heim is a hot commodity for that ride. If he doesn’t get it, TRD may need to find him a ride in at least the Xfinity Series to keep him locked down for years to come.
William Sawalich is the youngest and yet the most viable candidate to take over an available position at JGR. Already an ARCA Menards Series East Champion, Sawalich is not just TRD’s top prospect but maybe the best in all of NASCAR.
Drawing many comparisons to team Chevrolet driver Connor Zillisch, who will skip the Truck Series and head to Xfinity Series next season, Sawalich has yet to race in the Xfinity Series. At 17 years old, Sawalich cannot enter an in the Xfinity Series until October.
He will race for JGR after he turns 18, but until then, he continues to race part-time for Tricon Garage in the Truck Series. William is also racing for JGR in the ARCA Menard Series, where he has seven wins in 11 stars this season.
His starts for Tricon haven’t gone as well as ARCA, and TRD should consider a full-time schedule for Sawalich before calling him up to Xfinity. However, once he gets behind the wheel of an Xfinity car, we might have our answer on who will be with JGR in 2025.
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