NASCAR
Who Are Notable Free Agent Drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2023?
Coming immediately after the seemingly most unpredictable silly season in recent memory, 2023 has no shortage of talented free agent drivers. Topping this list of drivers in contract years are past Cup champions, multi-time race winners, and a 2022 Championship 4 finalist. Five of the six drivers below made the 2022 Playoffs. Some of the sport’s brightest and winningest talents currently do not have plans beyond 2023. As is the case every season, retirements are also a question looming over a few veterans in particular. Here’s a detailed look at each driver in contract limbo as we head into 2023.
Kevin Harvick
The winner of back-to-back races in August, 2023 is set to be the 23rd season for Kevin Harvick. With 16 Playoff appearances, five Championship 4 berths, and the 2014 title, Harvick is by all measures one of the best from this era. His two wins in 2022 put him at 60 career Cup Series victories. This feat has him tied with Kyle Busch for 10th on the all-time wins list.
After re-signing with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2021, the future past 2023 is TBD for driver 4. Turning 47 years old in just a matter of days, rumors have already begun on Harvick’s next step. Should he hang up the firesuit following 2023, some have linked him to the full-time broadcaster vacancy with NASCAR on FOX. As the most successful 2023 free agent, Harvick’s next opportunity will be a storyline to follow all season long.
Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 Mobil1 Ford Mustang after winning the Federated Auto Parts 400 from Richmond Raceway on August 14. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Denny Hamlin
Perennial championship contender Denny Hamlin is also at a career crossroads for 2023. Not only is Hamlin’s driving contract up this year, but so is his FedEx sponsorship. This deal has kept Hamlin with Joe Gibbs Racing for the entirety of his career, dating back to 2005. All of this should sound like a very similar situation for JGR. This virtually mirrors the uncertainty around Kyle Busch and Mars, Inc. a year ago.
Still performing at a very high caliber, Hamlin won twice in 2022. In addition, he was only eliminated from the Championship 4 by Ross Chastain’s Hail Melon move at Martinsville. Even without that elusive championship, the 48-time winner is still a near-weekly threat for wins. Hamlin and FedEx could both easily extend their deals with JGR. Likewise, Hamlin could potentially go race his own cars at 23XI Racing. Hamlin and his sponsor are far from the only silly season pieces at the Toyota powerhouse team though.
Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota Camry before the Yellawood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 2. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Martin Truex Jr.
Midway through 2022, free agent Martin Truex Jr. inked a one-year contract extension. This deal kept Truex at Gibbs for 2023, but the same questions that followed MTJ early in 2022 have now reignited. At 42 years old, the 2017 champion had a regression year in 2022; the 19 failed to win and missed the Playoffs entirely. Similar to Harvick, age is not on Truex’s side for a much longer driving career. Entering his 18th full-time Cup season, Truex’s unknowns are already among the biggest question marks in silly season.
Martin Truex Jr’s No. 19 Bass Pro Shops/Sherry Strong Toyota Camry before the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Alex Bowman
Much like Denny Hamlin, the contracts are up for both Alex Bowman and his sponsor Ally Financial. Joining Hendrick Motorsports with Jimmie Johnson in 2019, Ally has seen a constant presence on the No. 48, with Bowman giving them five victories over two years. Bowman was able to win early in 2022, out-dueling Kyle Larson at Las Vegas. Concussion woes however sidelined the Arizona native for five weeks, ending his Playoff run.
Back for another season at full health, Bowman is racing for an extension with the 14-time championship-winning team. A sponsor as loyal as Ally has been to the 48 seems likely to re-sign. As of now though, there is no guarantee either Ally or Bowman returns to HMS.
Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro before the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 4. Credit: Noah Lewis/TSJSports
Ross Chastain
Perhaps the most surprising breakout star from 2022, Ross Chastain earned his first two wins and made the Championship 4. All of these accomplishments, plus the Hail Melon Martinsville move, came in his first season with Trackhouse Racing. 2023 is set to be the end of this deal with Chastain in the No. 1 Chevrolet, but expect him getting re-signed to be a matter of when, not if.
In their sophomore season, Trackhouse Racing finished runner-up in the Cup Series championship with Chastain. It is difficult to see this deal falling through after just two years. That is unless Chastain is perhaps offered one of the other high profile seats above. After being the most interesting driver of 2022, Chastain may be the most interesting free agent of 2023.
Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Moose Fraternity Chevrolet Camaro before the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 30. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Daniel Suarez
The original driver for Trackhouse, Daniel Suarez has spent the past two seasons in the No. 99 Chevrolet. 2022 was by far a career breakout season for the Mexico native. Suarez would earn his first career win at Sonoma, make his first Playoffs, and finish 10th in points. Much like with Chastain, the free agency of Suarez seems more like a formality than any true drama. After a year as great as 2022, Trackhouse will likely re-sign both of their star talents.
At 30 years old, Suarez seems to finally be coming into his own as a Cup driver. The 99 was a force up front many times throughout 2022. If not for an untimely steering issue, he could have been fighting alongside Chastain for a Championship 4 berth. There are currently no signs that Trackhouse has any change in store for either team. As a result, expect little change for either the 1 or 99.
Daniel Suarez’s No. 99 Commscope Chevrolet Camaro before the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 9. Credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
What sets 2023’s free agency apart from others recently is that it touches star talents with all three manufacturers. In addition, four of the biggest organizations in the sport are affected. Silly season is always a continual underlying topic for any racing year. The hypothetical game of musical chairs for drivers and teams alike seemingly starts earlier every year. Stay tuned throughout the rest of this offseason and the coming racing calendar for any changes involving these drivers and teams, as the music will eventually stop.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Chris Graythen, Jared C. Tilton, and James Gilbert/Getty Images for NASCAR and Peter Stratta/TSJSports
