The 2024 Cup Series season is shaping up to be quite the wild ride for Kaz Grala, who was announced as the driver of the #15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse belonging to Rick Ware Racing just a few days ago. With Grala set to appear in 25 races over the season, the hopes of the Xfinity driver to finally get a full-time seat in the Cup Series are at an all-time high. But can the driver who’s been bouncing around in the Truck and Xfinity Series stand a chance against the top drivers of the top series?

In a recent interview with Frontstretch during the National Motorsports Press Association event, Grala revealed what his game plan is for the Cup Series and also how important the opportunity given to him by Rick Ware will be for the 25-year-old. Despite having a rather mediocre season in the Xfinity Series in 2023, can Grala truly capitalize on this momentous opportunity?

“The sky is the limit” – Kaz Grala is radiating optimism

If we take a look at Grala’s Xfinity results, the story might suggest the journey ahead is going to be a difficult one. But what makes his move to Rick Ware Racing highly anticipated is the fact that every time the 25-year-old has had a chance in the Cup Series, the results have spoken for themselves. After all, what could prove Grala’s ability to take a Cup Car to solid finishes than his 2020 Daytona Road Course result, where he finished in the top ten for Richard Childress Racing after replacing an injured Austin Dillon?

While no solid chances have come Grala’s way since 2024, that will be another story. He shared his emotions as he heads into a 25-race season: “I didn’t get a chance to race in the Cup Series last year, but I did a couple of years before and always hoped that I’d make it back to do some more races. I feel like I have plenty of unfinished business, and my goal and dream would be to race in the Cup Series full-time for years to come, so I feel like this is a huge opportunity for me to try to make that a reality.”

Speaking of his stint with Rick Ware Racing, Grala believes the team is taking all the stops by bringing in Billy Plourde to lead the #15. While the team is certainly leaving no stone unturned to give the 25-year-old a competent seat, it will be up to Grala to deliver. He added, “We don’t know yet really as an organisation what that could look like, we don’t have any idea where our expectations are going to be but I think that’s kind of exciting. I mean, the sky is the limit and expectations aren’t probably sky high so that gives us an opportunity to really do something special.”

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It’s safe to say Grala and Co. will take each race one at a time, building on their previous results. And while there are no solid expectations from the duo, at least in the first half of the season, this could ultimately set them up for greater success. And that success will be essential for Kaz Grala if he hopes to turn this opportunity into a full-time role in the future.

Will the Rick Ware Racing stint lead to a full-time opportunity for Grala?

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Although the 2024 campaign with Rick Ware Racing will be limited to 25 races for Kaz Grala, the Boston native has never had such a grand opportunity in the Cup Series ever before. While the plan remains to appear at races throughout the season in a consistent manner, Grala is hoping for much more. He added, “I think that will be a great chance for me to be able to get in rhythm and learn with the team, get a good communication. It’s gonna feel like it’s full-time because a truck season is 23 races, right?”

Opening up fans of Rick Ware Racing to a new perspective altogether, Grala believes the team has enough time in hand to hit their mark and get the development race started. However, since RWR is a considerably smaller team, there will be a few hiccups that the pair will need to overcome along the way. But even if the pair can manage a few top-tens and consistent finishes in the top 20s, the season could be considered an overall success.

Grala concluded, “So I’m sure that at the beginning of the season, we’ll probably be working through some ‘newness’ together. Newness for everybody together there and with the equipment and the processes, the goal is that by the middle part of the season or second half of the season, we can really hit our stride and be able to show people what we are capable of.”

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It’s safe to say 2024 is going to be a wild ride for Kaz Grala and the Rick Ware Racing crew. And if they can manage to deliver against all odds, could a full-time Cup Series seat very well be in Grala’s near future?