Jimmie Johnson’s Rash Decision Could Be a Blessing in Disguise for Joe Gibbs Driver

The 2023 Cup Series is steadily advancing towards the twilight zone, with the season showdown just months away. This allows the teams to fortify their stables for the upcoming season and ensure their position as a possible contender for the championship. While a majority of the teams have buckled up and finalized their contracts with their existing drivers, for Jimmie Johnson and his team Legacy Motor Club, it seems they are stuck in a state of ambivalence.

The reason behind their fear is none other than the No. 42 car. Noah Gragson, who piloted the No. 42 car, has terminated his contract with the team after being entangled in a social-media controversy. Nevertheless, it seems that the co-owner, Jimmie Johnson, is stuck in a sense of crisis as he tries to arrive at a conclusion with the No. 42 car.

However, it is evident that the sense of urgency would in return reap dividends for Joe Gibbs Racing; even the NASCAR insiders stated those facts.

NASCAR insiders deliberate upon the possible replacement for the No. 42

After undergoing a series of rebrandings, hoping to turn the fortunes of Jimmie Johnson and his team Legacy Motor Club around, it seemed to be stuck in the same limbo. The sudden exit of Noah Gragson from the team was the last blow that the team could deal with. However, with all said and done, the question that still remains unanswered is: Who shall fill in for the No. 42 car for the upcoming season?

Josh Berry and Mike Rockenfeller acted as substitute drivers, but they are not the definitive solutions, given that Berry is already set to join the Stewart-Haas Racing team for the 2024 season. Although the name of John Hunter Nemechek was speculated as a possible replacement for the team, it seems that the option failed to hold water.

Moreover, the other Xfinity driver whose name cropped up is Carson Hocevar. The driver has also gained experience driving a Cup Series car, which seems to be the most feasible solution.

However, NASCAR insiders believe that this possible move to sign Hocevar might work in their favor.

In the latest episode of Rubbin is Racing, the host, Spider, attested, “I am curious to get your take on this as well because this is not a knock on Carson. It just seems interesting to me that he’s potentially going to be skipping Xfinity entirely for the most part.”

“He does have five Xfinity starts including the race where he the Cabo Wabo 250, but it’s interesting to me to see that just drivers, some guys are giving a pass like they are not expected to participate or cut their teeth in the Xfinity Series”.

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“He could theoretically be going from trucks to Cup as soon as next year. He will be probably in the 77 car next year but I am more curious to know if he is in the 42”, Spider further added.

Will Jimmie Johnson settle for Carson Hocevar on his team?

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There is no denying that if Carson Hocevar advances to the Cup Series, skipping the feeder Xfinity Series might act as a disadvantage for the driver. With a negligible amount of experience in the functioning of the elite series, Hocevar may end up going back to square one. While his rival John Hunter Nemechek in the Xfinity Series could have a clear shot at winning the Xfinity Series title.

Nonetheless, continuing on the same lines, Spider stated, “Spidey Scoops were also told by John Hunter Nemechek after winning the same Cabo Wabo 250, that I just mentioned that, “he likes winning races”. So I don’t know to me that kind of says John Hunter Nemechek is like ‘if I like winning races, I probably won’t have the opportunity that next year in the 42.”

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“Not saying that he is not capable of winning in the 42, just saying he’s in a much better chance for success now in a Gibbs Xfinity car, whereas he may not be winning as frequently if at all in the 42 Legacy car in the Cup Series.”

With that being said, it will be interesting to see what conclusion Jimmie Johnson and the team arrive at. Will they sign Carson Hocevar to the team, or will there be another replacement that the team is pleading for?