GMS Racing won’t move to NASCAR Cup Series in 2018
By Nick Tylwalk
GMS Racing might still be appearing regularly in the top NASCAR series at some point, but it won’t be in 2018.
Considering the fact that most news about NASCAR teams switching series or changing the number of cars they field in recent years has reduced the number of full-time rides, the word that GMS Racing was considering a move to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for 2018 was a breath of fresh air.
Except it’s not happening.
ESPN motorsports reporter Bob Pockrass tweeted out the news first, which was later confirmed by NBC Sports. The NBC report also added the unmistakable context, which is that a GMS Racing move up to Cup might have given displaced drivers like Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne or perhaps Kurt Busch (if he doesn’t find his way back to Stewart-Haas Racing) additional opportunities to find full-time gigs.
It would have been a big move for GMS, which has its strongest presence in the Camping World Truck Series. Defending series champ Johnny Sauter and Kaz Grala are already locked into this year’s playoffs in the team’s trucks.
GMS’ XFINITY Series efforts haven’t been quite as successful, with rookie Spencer Gallagher currently 19th in points. It’s not known whether the team will continue to field the same number of vehicles in both series next year or if it would consider concentrating more on the XFINITY Series with an eye toward a Cup Series leap a little further down the road.
Next: Chase Elliott, William Byron changing numbers for the 2018 season
On Twitter, Pockrass responded to a user who wondered if GMS Racing might attempt some Cup Series restrictor plate races next season:
Yeah they have a plate car. So wouldn't be surprised to see them use it. But those decisions don't have to be made now.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 30, 2017
The bottom line is that while you might see GMS Racing pop up during the 2018 campaign, it won’t be every week. And for some drivers and their fans, that seems like a bit of a bummer.