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Joe Gibbs Racing will have to completely overhaul its NASCAR Xfinity lineup for 2024, as both its full-time drivers will leave the team following the conclusion of the current season.
John Hunter Nemechek, the driver of the #20 Toyota, will step up to the Cup Series next season. Meanwhile, Sammy Smith, the driver of the #18 Toyota, will join JR Motorsports next season.
This leaves Joe Gibbs Racing with three seats to fill at the Xfinity level for the second year in a row. The #19 Toyota is expected to continue as the all-star car next season, leaving two highly coveted seats open for the taking.
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Although there are plenty of young talents in the Toyota Racing Development pipeline, free agents in the Xfinity series will also eye to join the most competitive organization in the second-tier series.
On that note, let us take a look at the top prospects who are rumored to join the JGR Xfinity lineup next season.
4 NASCAR drivers who could join Joe Gibbs Racing's Xfinity team
#4. Ryan Truex
Martin Truex Jr.'s younger brother has been on the periphery of landing a full-time seat at Joe Gibbs Racing for a long time. Ryan Truex recently claimed his first Xfinity win at Dover earlier this season, which fueled rumors of him joining the team in the coming season.
However, securing the funding for a full-time seat remains the main hurdle for the Truex brothers. Martin Truex Jr. had openly admitted that Ryan would run a part-time schedule next season with JGR, which could transform into a full-time seat if they secure a needed sponsorship.
#3 Corey Heim
The 21-year-old NASCAR Truck Series driver is one of the biggest prospects in the Toyota pipeline with John Hunter Nemechek set to join the Cup Series.
Corey Heim, who was crowned the 2023 Truck Series regular-season champion recently, is currently the favorite to secure the championship. Heim also has four starts at the Xfinity level with a 10th-place best finish.
If Heim secures the funding for a full-time Xfinity ride, he will be the favorite for one of the two seats at JGR.
#2 Chandler Smith
The 21-year-old Xfinity driver is reported to be actively pursuing a seat at Joe Gibbs Racing. Chandler Smith is currently tied down with Kaulig Racing for 2024, but Sportsnaut reports that the #16 Chevy driver is trying to trigger an exit clause to join JGR.
Although Smith is currently a playoff contender in Kaulig machinery, joining the top-tier Toyota team will be a step up. Having been a part of the TRD program, the team will know how good a racing driver Smith is.
The young American is reportedly upset with his teammate Daniel Hemric getting the Cup Series promotion and is trying to leave the organization led by Chris Rice.
#1 Sheldon Creed
Sheldon Creed will be one of the biggest Silly season movers this season, as he recently announced he would part ways with Richard Childress Racing.
Although Creed has gone winless in his two-year stint with RCR, he has shown great improvement this season. The 26-year-old is yet to confirm his plans for 2024, and Joe Gibbs Racing would be the best destination for the #2 Chevy driver.
Catchfence's Lee Spencer recently fueled the rumors of Creed joining the team with the statement on X (formerly Twitter):
"You can run but you can’t hide in @JoeGibbsRacing equipment…"
