While the whole world welcomed an auspicious new year, hoping for the best, 2023 Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney‘s close ally and the driver’s eyes from the high stands joined team Chevy, leaving the Ford camp at Team Penske. After his close association with Blaney for the past 9 years, starting from his Cup starts at Wood Brothers Racing, Josh Williams left the #12 driver as he joined Trackhouse Racing, starting a new chapter in his career.

“New year, new house!” – wrote Williams as he shared the news with his followers on Twitter, turning a new page, joining sides with a Cup Series rookie for his Trackhouse Racing-Spire Motorsports collaboration in the #71 team.

Josh Williams joins Zane Smith as he leaves Ryan Blaney to help out the young gun

Amidst the silly season updates coming in from the NASCAR world, fans were quite shocked to hear about Josh Williams’ departure, leaving Blaney and Team Penske after he played a crucial role in the driver’s triumph. 2023 was the year when Blaney proved his mettle. Not only did he lose his 56-race winless streak, but he did so by acing the longest race of the schedule to start his comeback.

While the Ford driver struggled to find his rhythm, he and his team saw a massive turnaround in the final legs of the season to blast its way into the final four fray only to outrun the superior HMS Chevys and the consistent Toyotas. Though he got beat in the final race by Ross Chastain, Blaney picked up his first Cup Series title as the driver’s long-calling finally came to fruition.

Blaney, during his post-race interview, credited his team for backing him up to seize the throne. But as he enters 2024, his championship-winning spotter will not be on his side as he takes up the responsibility of showing Zane Smith the way at Trackhouse Racing. The spotter on ‘X’ noted, “New year, new house! Couldn’t be more excited to announce my new home with @TeamTrackhouse!” 

WATCH THIS STORY: After a stellar season, what does 2024 have in store for Ryan Blaney? 

He also shared his delight to join Justin Marks and Ty Norris at the Chevy camp, relaying his excitement to work with the team – “I will spend 2024 with Zane on the 71 car! Looking forward to working with those guys and beginning the next chapter! Thanks to everyone at Trackhouse(Racing) and Spire(Motorsports) for the opportunity, let’s get to work!” 

But can Blaney repeat his success without his long-time ally? The bigger question is, can Tim Fedewa, who was guiding Kevin Harvick at SHR take up the #12 car to speed with Williams gone? For that, we’ll have to wait till February for the season to commence. Amidst the silly-season reforms ahead of the 2024 season, there’s news that the Chevy camp that has been picking up pace as Justin Marks is arming the team, trying every combination for a major turnaround. While the parting of the spotter and driver has the community unsettled, Trackhouse Racing’s SVG announcement has them delighted as the Supercars champion returns to NASCAR with a full-time Xfinity role.

SVG’s 2024 program revealed, includes a full-time Xfinity season

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After hyping up the community with his landslide victory at Chicago, Aussie Supercars sensation Shane Van Gisbergen is back in the headlines as he makes his Xfinity Series debut in 2024. The Kiwi’s triumph was such a thriller that fans wanted to see more of the driver in the NASCAR schedule and now Trackhouse Racing has finally revealed the driver’s future.

SVG will join AJ Allmendinger and Josh Williams at Kaulig Racing as the veteran gears up for his first full-time NASCAR season in the #97 Chevy. Besides taking up the full-time responsibility, the 3-time Bathurst winner will also have seven select Cup Series appearances. While the team and car number for his 2024 Cup Series effort is yet to be announced, the team has already revealed his Cup starts.

READ MORE: On Ryan Blaney’s 30th Birthday! Let’s Take a Look at Some of his Biggest Career Achievements

His Cup Series itinerary includes making stops at three road courses-  Circuit of The Americas on March 24th, Watkins Glen International on September 15th, and the Chicago Street course on July 7th. He will also race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26th, at the Talladega Superspeedway on April 21 and October 6th, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 20th.