Driving Sam Hunt Racing’s #26 Toyota Supra is Xfinity Series full-timer Kaz Grala, who finished the 2023 season 17th in the ranking, doing his best for the two-car team. However, as we roll into a new year with weeks left for the much-awaited season opener in Vegas, the latest rumor is that the Boston, Massachusetts, native is planning on a giant leap.
The 25-year-old, who had been jumping NASCAR’s National Series from year to year, which has included stints in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series is looking to do it again, confirming his decision to leave Same Hunt Racing. While the team and the driver verified the news, the talk of the town is about his rumored Cup Series entry in 2024, as NASCAR drivers’ name rail suggests a major maneuver.
Kaz Grala’s possible jump to the Cup Series is on the horizon as he leaves SHR
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Ending the season 17th with two top-5 finishes and nine top-10s, including an average 19.1 average finishing position, Kaz Grala who represented Sam Hunt Racing’s first full-time competitor, will not be returning to the Toyota-partnered organization for a second season. Both the driver and his former team, SHR, cleared the air, sharing the update on their social media about the driver’s future but not revealing any details about it.
Grala picked up his career-best finish at Richmond Raceway when he finished fourth, his first top-five finish in an Xfinity Series competition that didn’t come on a super speedway or road course. Besides the top-5 finish at Richmond, he racked up another one in Charlotte’s ROVAL. However, despite the decent season with the Toyota-associated organization, the driver is looking elsewhere, probably eyeing a Cup Series promotion in 2024.
What Driver Has the Best Name Rail? (via u/FalseWeeknd) https://t.co/9muqngHuUv #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/bH2oOMN2As
— r/NASCAR on Reddit (@NASCARonReddit) January 15, 2024
What is the root cause of this fan speculation, you ask? Well, a popular NASCAR fan page recently shared a post with Cup Series drivers’ name rail and Grala’s name is one of 36 alongside Cup Series rookies like Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith.
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Sam Hunt Racing extends their gratitude as Grala looks for new opportunities in 2024
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It’s official: Kaz Grala will leave the Toyota camp at Sam Hunt Racing for something better, probably going up to the Cup Series in 2024. While the organization has not yet confirmed its driver lineup for the upcoming season, it has extended its gratitude to the 25-year-old, noting a befitting post on “X” wishing the driver the very best for his future endeavors.
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Two Top-5 & Nine Top-10 finishes in 2023.
A record-breaking year for @KazGrala behind the wheel of our No. 26 GR Supra. Kaz, thank you for all you’ve done here at Sam Hunt Racing. We wish you the very best on your next venture.#SHR26 | #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/428KorqccQ
— Sam Hunt Racing (@Team_SHR26) November 27, 2023
There have been widespread rumors of the driver’s possible entry to Rick Ware Racing as a second full-time entry, but so far, no announcements to that effect have been forthcoming. The team has confirmed that Corey Heim will join the organization but has not yet confirmed Grala’s replacement for its 2024 campaign.
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Appreciating the 25-year-old’s work, the team noted, “Thank you for all you’ve done here at Sam Hunt Racing. We wish you the very best on your next venture.”