The Writer’s Roundtable is the weekly column to where our writers discuss one of the trending topics right now in the sport.

There’s been a lot of movement through this past off-season, as seen in the first edition of Tracking the Changes. So which NASCAR Cup Series silly season move has been the most shocking and which driver/team do you think will benefit the most?

Mitchell Breuer: After years of trying to land a decent ride, after years of trying to prove himself with lower funded teams, Landon Cassill finally got his chance in a move I don’t think a lot of people saw coming.

#4: Landon Cassill, JD Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Voyager

Like I said, it had been years for Cassill, so long that it seemed like he was never going to get that opportunity, then came Kaulig Racing. Without a doubt of the best teams in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

With that the answer remains the same for the second question, Landon Cassill benefits the most. Without a doubt, it is now up to him to go and prove himself. If he can succeed and really go “trophy hunting” and maybe even “championship hunting”, who knows what the future holds for Cassill.

Cole Cusumano: This is such a difficult question to answer, because the silly season for 2022 has been loaded with many impactful signings.

In my opinion, the most shocking offseason hire has been Landon Cassill to Kaulig Racing. It makes sense, because he has the backing of Voyager cryptocurrency, but it’s such an under the radar signing, just given his 14-year journey throughout NASCAR.

Cassill developed a reputation as a fan-favorite underdog, who regularly competed for underfunded teams. That being said, he fits Kaulig’s bill incredibly well, seeing as it’s been sort of a team of second chances (i.e. A.J. Allmendinger, Daniel Hemric, Jeb Burton). I always thought the Iowa native was a very talented racer, and I can’t wait to see what he can do for a team with a winning pedigree.

Ashley McCubbin: Certainly Cassill has caught everyone’s attention as you want to see the underdog succeed, but you cannot overlook the other shifts in the tide. Daniel Hemric won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship in 2021, but will not return to the series with the same organization. Instead, he will become part of Kaulig Racing as Cole mentioned.

It’s odd to watch an organization not bring that the driver who led them to the crowning moment, but it isn’t the first time. Tyler Reddick won a title with JR Motorsports, only to move to Richard Childress Racing. We saw that worked out in the long run, and this could be the same road for Hemric.

Toyota does not have room right now with other young drivers in line for rides first, such as Ty Gibbs. Meanwhile, Chevrolet has more options with expansion for Kaulig Racing, jTG Daughty Racing, Trackhouse Racing, Spire Motorsports, and aforementioned RCR. The move is already paying off with a limited Cup schedule in 2022 with Kaulig.

With a career route in mind, it appears as though Hemric may benefit the most in the long run.