CONCORD, N.C.— Toyota Racing has solidified the majority of its Xfinity Series lineup for 2023.
Coming off of a championship with Ty Gibbs behind the wheel of the No. 54 Toyota, the future is bright for the manufacturer with a stellar list of seasoned young racers and aspiring newcomers to the tour.
On Tuesday and Thursday, Joe Gibbs Racing revealed its roster for the Nos. 18 and 20 with Sammy Smith and John Hunter Nemechek, respectively, competing full-time in NXS. JGR and Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) introduced their drivers during a joint briefing at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday morning.
Nemechek, 25, brings an extensive resume to his new ride with 40 Cup starts, 147 Camping World Truck starts and 67 Xfinity Series races—including six starts with the Gibbs camp last year. Despite graduating to the Cup Series in 2020, Nemechek gambled on himself by taking a step back and aligning himself with Kyle Busch Motorsports. By continuing to sharpen his skills with a full-time truck ride and limited Xfinity starts, Nemechek positioned himself for when this latest opportunity arose.
“It’s been a lot of work,” Nemechek said. “It’s been a couple of years—and a couple of gambles I guess on myself. I had to prove to myself and everyone around me that I could win races, that I was talented and what I could do behind the wheel of a race car.
“But I’m excited to be a part of the JGR family and excited to be a part of the Toyota Racing family as well.”
Nemechek split his Xfinity Series races between JGR and SHR over the past two seasons. Even racing part-time with two different teams, he scored one win, five top fives, and seven top 10s in 16 starts. The second-generation racer is hoping to develop consistency racing for just one squad.
“It’s looking like it’s going to be a bright year,” Nemechek added. “Definitely have a great group of guys around me. JGR has proven that they can win a lot of races and are the defending champions with Ty.
“So just excited to get back to the Xfinity series after being in the Truck Series for a couple of years winning races so hopefully we can go out. We can win a lot more races and. Go try and win a championship and that’s the overall goal.”
Smith was one of the nine drivers with who Nemechek shared driving duties in the No. 18 Toyota last year. The teammates have become workout buddies training at the Toyota Performance Center while building a rapport before the next season begins.
“He’s obviously going to be a really good teammate,” Smith said of Nemechek. “Just with all his knowledge and anything I can bounce off of him. So I’m excited to work with him and then obviously all the tools TRD gives us like the simulator, TPC. Just a lot of stuff to maximize our performance off the track so we can get in the race car and then try to go out and win races and championships.”
Smith, 18, tallied nine races during his first season on the Xfinity tour. His best result came at Watkins Glen where he earned his first podium finish. Jeff Meendering, who oversaw Brandon Jones’ team, will guide the No. 18 team in 2023. Pilot/Flying J will sponsor Smith’s efforts.
JGR’s Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Driver Development Steve DeSouza, considers Smith “a fantastic addition to our 2023 Xfinity lineup.”
“He proved to have the passion and the talent necessary to compete for wins in the races he ran for us in 2022,” said DeSouza. “We are excited to get him in the No. 18 full-time and know he will be competitive from the jump.”
Although JGR has not revealed all of the drivers for the No. 19 team, Ryan Truex returns for six races in the Toyota GR Supra. Veteran crew chief Jason Ratcliff will once again manage the team’s rotation of racers.
Truex says it “feels good” to have the opportunity to return to JGR. The 30-year-old second-generation racer ended his limited run strong with a sixth-place result at Texas and a third-place finish at Atlanta.
“Last year, I felt a lot of pressure going in and really felt like I had to prove myself,” Truex said. “It was tough at first, but I felt like Jason Radcliffe and the guys really built a lot of momentum and a lot of chemistry by the end of my stint there. Really wish it didn’t end, obviously.
“I knew for a few months now that this deal was going to happen, so just been doing everything I can to prepare. JGR and Toyota Racing definitely feel like home to me. It just feels easy and I know everybody. It’s just comfortable. It kind of feels like the pressure is off a little bit going into this next year, so hopefully, we can go get some trophies.”
Sam Hunt brings new enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the Xfinity team ownership ranks. After taking baby steps into the Xfinity Series—and finally running the full schedule with 16 different drivers over the last two years—Hunt will expand to two full-time teams in 2023. Kaz Grala will have the opportunity to run for the NXS title behind the wheel of the No. 26 SHR Toyota. Charlotte’s Connor Mosack will anchor the No. 24 Supra with additional drivers to be named.
“Expanding to two full-time cars is exciting for the organization and Toyota and everybody involved,” Hunt said. “On the flip side, there’s a ton of work that comes with it, and we need to execute this year. So we’re as busy as ever. It’s exciting to have Kaz as our first full-time driver, which will be a change for us. He’s worked hard and scratched and clawed for this opportunity. So it’s really cool to have a guy that’s had to fight so hard for it. I’m very familiar with the situation, so it’s natural.
“Having Connor Mosack in the (No.) 24 for 20 races is also really special to me. Connor’s a great person, a great kid. He’s got every attribute in an up-and-coming racer that I’d probably look for. “
Mosack raced in Legends, Late Models, and Trans Am before hitting the NASCAR ranks this year. The 23-year-old dabbled in trucks and ARCA then raced for JGR at Portland and for SHR at Watkins Glen, where he finished 15th. He’ll have 20 NXS races to improve his craft in 2023.
Grala has only competed for a NASCAR title once—with GMS’ truck team in 2017. Since then he has battled to remain relevant in the sport while running selected races between Cup, Xfinity and trucks. In 2022, Grala made 10 NXS starts with four different teams. He has five top fives and 10 top 10s in 44 Xfinity starts. Settling down with one team for the full schedule is “a welcomed challenge” for the Bostonian, who turns 24 later this month.
“I’ve been working towards this for years,” Grala said. “Now, to have a full-time opportunity in front of me, it hasn’t been easy by any stretch, but I think that’s made it a little more special here to finally have all the pieces come together.
“Definitely a lot of excitement—a lot of hope—going into next year. Sam Hunt Racing has really good people and good support from Toyota. Everything they need to make a Playoff run. Now, it’s just time to do it and let the real work begin.”
