Frontstretch Newsletter: Changes at JGR; Tony Kanaan to Drive in Place Of Jimmie Johnson On Ovals In 2021

Published: Mon, 11/23/20

Frontstretch Newsletter: Nov. 23, 2020
Volume: XIV, Edition LXII

Around the World in Motorsports: Nov. 16-22

- Red Bull KTM Tech3's Miguel Oliveira won the final round of the motoGP World Championship Sunday at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal. Jack Miller was second, followed by Franco Morbidelli, Pol Espargaro and Takaagi Nakagami. Joan Mir clinched his first World Championship at Valencia.

- Remy Gardner won Sunday's Moto2 season finale in Portgual over Luca Marini and Sam Lowes. Marco Bezzecchi was fourth, while Enea Bastianini was fifth. The fifth-place finish gave Bastianini the Moto2 championship by nine points over Marini.

- Red Bull KTM Ajo's Raul Fernandez won the Moto3 season finale in Portugal Sunday morning over the Hondas of Dennis Foggia and Jeremy Alcoba. Sergio Garcia was fourth, while Tony Arbolino was fifth. Albert Arenas finished 12th and just barely held on to win the Moto3 title by four points over Arbolino and Ai Ogura.

- In Trans-Am competition, Burtin Racing's Martin Ragginger and Dyson Racing's Chris Dyson split the two TA races last weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Meanwhile, Mike Skeen swept both TA2 races in his Ford Mustang.

Provisionally, the championships have been awarded to Ernie Francis Jr. (TA), Mike Skeen (TA2), Ken Thwaits (XGT), Lee Saunders (SGT) and Billy Griffin (GT).

What to Watch: Nov. 23-29

- With Thanksgiving being this week, things will likely quiet down. There aren't any tests scheduled, but teams will still be hard at work at their shops on 2021 equipment. We'll have anything that breaks for you at Frontstretch.

TV Schedule: Here

Today's Top News:

Joe Gibbs Racing Shuffles 2021 Crew Chief Lineup

Joe Gibbs Racing announced Tuesday that their crew chiefs will be moving around prior to the 2021 season. Ben Beshore will replace Adam Stevens as Kyle Busch's crew chief in Cup. Stevens will move to the No. 20 to crew chief Christopher Bell.

Tony Kanaan to Run Ovals in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 48

Chip Ganassi Racing announced Monday that Tony Kanaan will return to the team to drive the No. 48 in place of Jimmie Johnson in the four oval races for the next couple of years.

Eligibility for 2021 Busch Clash Revealed

With only five qualifying sessions for 36 races held in 2020, NASCAR was forced to revise eligibility standards for the Busch Clash. The resulting standards are fairly similar to the rules from before it went back to a pole winners' race, plus the addition of stage winners.

BJ McLeod to Drive for Live Fast Motorsports in 2021

The new joint venture between Matt Tifft, BJ McLeod and Joe Falk has a name. The No. 78 team will be known as Live Fast Motorsports and will run Fords with a relationship with Stewart-Haas Racing. McLeod will drive.

John Hunter Nemechek, Front Row Motorsports Part Ways

Last Monday, John Hunter Nemechek announced that he has left Front Row Motorsports, effective immediately. The rookie driver finished 27th in points with three top 10 finishes. His best runs were a pair of eighths at Talladega.

Here Is the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Schedule

NASCAR announced the 2021 Camping World Truck Series scheduled Thursday. There will be 22 races. Knoxville Raceway will join the schedule to replace Eldora. There will also be a return trip to Watkins Glen.

NASCAR Hosts 2020 Awards Ceremony, The Winners Are…

Wednesday saw NASCAR hold a significantly downsized awards ceremony at NBC Sports' Charlotte studios. Here, a number of season-long awards were announced.

Jeb Burton Driving for Kaulig Racing Full Time in 2021

Kaulig Racing announced last Monday that Jeb Burton will replace Ross Chastain in the No. 10 Chevrolet full-time in 2021. Nutrien Ag Solutions will stay as the team's primary sponsor.

Noah Gragson Retains Bass Pro Shops, TrueTimber, Black Rifle Sponsorship for 2021

JR Motorsports announced Thursday that their primary sponsors from 2020, Bass Pro Stops, TrueTimber and Black Rifle Coffee, will return to the No. 9 and Noah Gragson in 2021.

Mike Harmon Racing Entering 2 Xfinity Cars Again in 2021

Mike Harmon indicated to Frontstretch Wednesday that his team will bring two cars back to the Xfinity Series full-time in 2021. Kyle Weatherman and Bayley Currey will be the primary drivers.

Chip Ganassi Racing To Return to IMSA With Cadillac

Chip Ganassi Racing announced last Monday that they are returning to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship full-time in 2021, having acquired a Cadillac DPi-V.R. to race in the DPi class.

Dane Cameron Moves to Meyer Shank Racing For 2021

Meyer Shank Racing announced last Monday that Dane Cameron will move over from Acura Team Penske to fill the team's second full-time DPi seat alongside Olivier Pla in 2021.

Era Motorsport Returns For Rolex 24, Adds Ryan Dalziel, Paul-Loup Chatin

Era Motorsport announced Wednesday that they will return for the Rolex 24 at Daytona after missing the last few races of the season. Joining regular drivers Kyle Tilley and Dwight Merriman will be Ryan Dalziel and Paul-Loup Chatin.

Photos are courtesy of Nigel Kinrade Photography, Joe Skibinski of INDYCAR Media, IMSA and our own Phil Allaway.

Have news for Frontstretch? Don't hesitate to let us know; email us at frontstretcheditors@googlegroups.com with a promising lead or tip.

This Past Week at Frontstretch:

Couch Potato Tuesday: NBC Sports’ Sebring Coverage Expansive, But A Bit Distracted At Times

by Phil Allaway

4 Burning Questions: NASCAR in 2030

by Michael Finley

Reel Racing: The Best (& Worst) Movie Paint Schemes of the 1990s

by Adam Cheek

Stock Car Scoop: JGR’s Xfinity Lineup Revealed

by Bryan Nolen

Will Valtteri Bottas Ever Become World Champion?

by Alex Gallacher

This Week at Frontstretch.com:

We'll have a number of articles for you. For example, we'll take an overarching look at NBC Sports' NASCAR coverage in 2020.

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