Justin Haley Reveals Why He Rejected Opportunities to Go NASCAR Cup Series Racing in 2021

It is not often that a driver denies a NASCAR Cup Series ride. NASCAR Xfinity Series star Justin Haley denied not one, but numerous opportunities to go Cup Series racing in 2021. Haley had an opportunity to drive for Spire Motorsports, which is set to be a two-car operation next season.

Haley rejected the offer and a few other ones that came after that. The 21-year-old recently admitted that he had offers from other Xfinity Series teams as well along with the Cup teams.

“I had a lot more opportunities than just Spire to go Cup racing. I was really fortunate to get a lot of good offers, in the Xfinity Series as well. Talked to a lot of teams,” Haley said during a media interaction.

What prompted Haley to let go of offers from NASCAR Cup Series teams?

It takes some courage to say ‘no’ when the Cup teams come calling themselves. However, Haley knew he had a good reason to wait it out and stuck to the same. The postponement of the introduction of the Next Gen car prompted the Kaulig Racing driver’s decision.

A couple of weeks ago, Kaulig Racing announced that Haley will continue with them in the Xfinity Series next year.

“Made it pretty straightforward with Chris Rice and Matt Kaulig that I wanted to be back. The decision really came from the Next Gen car being pushed back one later year,” Haley said further.

Haley was not the only Xfinity driver who felt so

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Haley also admitted that other Xfinity Series drivers like Austin Cindric and Noah Gragson shared his opinion. It did not make sense for them to get used to the Cup Series car, only to use it for just a year. The ‘Next Gen’ car in 2022 will be quite different from the current model.

“A lot of guys like Cindric and Gragson were kind of in the same boat. Not to push the Cup deal right now,” Haley added. “Just doesn’t make sense to go up to Cup and learn that car just for the following year to re-learn a whole new car,” he expressed further.

Cindric already has plans to go Cup racing. He will run select races for Wood Brothers Racing in 2021 and will replace Matt DiBenedetto in 2022.

Haley hopes that similar opportunities present themselves to him next year.

At 21, the youngster has a lot of time to make the transition to the Cup Series and aim to be a top driver there. Currently, he is in the midst of the playoff battle in the Xfinity Series.

Read more – Qualification Scenarios for NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Drivers to Make the Championship Race