After Defying Joe Gibbs, NBA Legend’s NASCAR Team Could Help Dale Jr’s Cup Series Dream

Is Dale Earnhardt Jr finally close to taking ownership of a Cup Series team? Well, going by the silly season drama and behind-the-scenes chatter, there could be a way that Dale Jr finally makes his Cup Series dream come true. With multiple charters up for grabs for the next season, it is hard to see Dale Jr spending somewhere around $50 million to own a charter himself.

He would rather need a business partner who is looking to continue their rise in the Cup Series. This is where JTG Daugherty Racing comes into the picture. The team has been in the news regarding a potential split in ownership. Tad and Jodi Geschikter, two of the co-owners, are rumored to be joining the JGR Racing camp alongside Kroger, the primary sponsor for their No. 47 team. However, Ricky Stenhouse Jr signing a multi-year extension deal completely changes the dynamics of JTG’s future.

Here’s how Dale Earnhardt Jr can co-own a Cup Series team

With Tad and Jodi jumping ships from JTG to Joe Gibbs Racing along with the primary sponsor, Kroger, it would potentially mean the end of JTG Racing. It has to be noted that Tad wouldn’t be able to take the sole charter with him at JGR, as they already have four teams running in the Cup Series. On the other hand, Brad Daugherty and Gordon Smith, despite having their charter, could not run their racing operations.

But their driver, Ricky Stenhouse Jr signing a multi-year extension did take everyone by surprise. Especially with all the speculations and rumors about Tad Geschikter leaving for JGR. So Stenhouse’s extension means that they do have a potential investor or a business partner who can fuel their Cup Series racing operation. While nothing can be said for certain, but it feels like a perfect opportunity for Dale Jr. to embark on his Cup ownership journey.

Dale Jr. knows how to run a successful race team. Under his guidance and ownership, his Xfinity Series team, Junior Motorsports, has been widely successful, winning three championships. So it’s fair to say Brad Daugherty and Gordon Smith would gladly allow Dale Jr. to run the race team and, who knows, bring in some new sponsors. Moreover, they would need more sponsors as Kroger could jump ship to JGR next season.

However, it’s not just the JTG Daugherty charter up for grabs. Stewart-Haas Racing could be in the running to sell multiple charters ahead of 2025. Which only adds more drama to the silly season.

SHR is stealing the headlines for NASCAR silly season 2024

Tony Stewart and Gene Haas co-venture is reportedly looking to dissolve their Cup Series racing outfit, Stewart-Haas Racing. While there have been no official comments by the team owners, Chase Briscoe’s recent comments shed light on the seriousness of the issue. “There’s a lot of uncertainty. Nobody really knows what is going on.”

There are multiple theories on how the racing organization could split into different factions and partner up with their rival Cup Series team. But one cannot rule out a total closure of their racing operations. They do not have an OEM partner for next year; major sponsors left after Kevin Harvick’s departure, and on-track performances certainly have been the best.

Looking at all the factors and the recent rumors, it does signal a sour ending for SHR from the NASCAR Cup Series garage. And if this comes true, multiple racing outfits will look to strengthen their teams with more charters. The likes of Legacy Motor Club, Trackhouse Racing, and 23XI Racing are all looking to expand their Cup Series operations, which makes them potential suitors for the SHR charters if they are put on the market.