JTG Daugherty Racing has officially rebranded less than two weeks into the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series off-season as Hyak Motorsports with principal owner Gordon Smith signifying a rebrand with a new name and ownership.
Hyak Motorsports will continue to implement Smith’s plan to bring the team fresh, new energy and demonstrate his commitment to advancing the team’s legacy both on and off the racetrack.
“Hyak,” which means “fast” in Chinook Jargon, is a trade language of the Pacific Northwest that incorporates terms from Chinook, Chehalis, and many other local languages. The ownership transition promises to fuel Hyak Motorsports with a competitive edge by enhancing its approach to performance, innovation and fan engagement.
Smith will be one of four co-owners of the Harrisburg, N.C.-based team alongside Brad Daugherty, Mark Hughes and Ernie Cope. All four remain dedicated to maintaining the team’s high standards while introducing updated strategies and resources to help bring the team to a new level.
“Becoming the owner of Hyak Motorsports brings an exciting opportunity,” said Gordon Smith, team owner and CEO. “I look forward to building on the team’s accomplishments, investing in its future, and driving toward new successes in partnership with our fans, sponsors and team members.”
The team’s commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering thrilling performances will continue in the 2025 season starting with the inaugural NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray on February 2, 2025, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“I’m really excited about 2025 as our company continues to evolve,” added Daugherty. “Our goal is to compete and win races at the highest level of NASCAR. The name change signifies that commitment and desire to be our very best.”
Cope is concentrated on continuing to help elevate the team at the sport’s pinnacle level.
“2025 will begin a new era for this company,” offered Cope, team co-owner. “We’re still committed to being a winning team with Ricky and the entire No. 47 crew. This is just the next step in elevating the team to another level.”
Next season will mark the team’s third season in NASCAR under the current management.
The team has scored a win in each of the last two years and plans to continue this trajectory. Its pinnacle Daytona 500 win came on February 19, 2023, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who will continue to pilot the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro next season.
Stenhouse joined Hyak Motorsports in 2020 and finished a career-best 16th in the championship standings during the 2023 season.
“Rebranding a team can be exciting, I’m looking forward to continuing building this team up with a lot of the same great crew members we have had here,” sounded Stenhouse. “I’m focused on the competition side and getting our performance back that we had in 2023.
“We learned a lot in 2024 and ready to get back to the track.”
Hyak Motorsports has not named a primary partner for the team in 2025. Additional announcements are forthcoming, according to the team.
Kroger, which had a long-lasting relationship under the team’s old banner, has shifted its presence to RFK Racing and drivers Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski and new driver Ryan Preece for the upcoming season.
Founding JTG team owners Tad and Jodi Geschickter, who have relinquished their ownership stakes in Hyak Motorsports, own BAM LLC., which oversees the Kroger Racing program.
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