By: Ashley McCubbin

The theme of each NASCAR Silly Season is figuring out what the changes will be, so that way you can find the ride that your favourite driver(s) is(are) behind the wheel of. It’s why News From The Pits is here to help you sort through it all.

#21: Matt DiBenedetto, Wood Brothers Racing, Ford Mustang Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center

After being let go from his ride in the NASCAR Cup Series, Matt DiBenedetto will look to reset the table with Rackley W.A.R. in 2022. He was expected to go to victory lane with Wood Brothers Racing due to his limited success with Leavine Family Racing, though was unable to just six top-five’s and 20 top-10’s the past two years.

Dropping back down could prove beneficial, as we’ve seen with John Hunter Nemechek elevating his stock due to experiencing wins with Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2021. Rackley also showed potential and growth over last season, as evident by Josh Berry’s 10^th at Texas Motor Speedway in their inaugural campaign. Someone with experience at the helm may be what carries the organization to the top-five next.

Timothy Peters, who started the 2021 campaign with the team, has yet to announce any plans for 2022.

Niece Motorsports will also have a pair of new hires behind the wheel, with Dean Thompson and Lawless Alan joining Carson Hocevar. Thompson placed 21^st in his lone Truck Series event in 2021, while scoring an ARCA Menards Series top-five, and a pair of ARCA Menards Series West top-10’s with a best performance of second at Irwindale Raceway. Alan, meanwhile, ran nine Truck Series in 2021 with a best finish of 18^th at Bristol Motor Speedway, along with a ninth in his lone ARCA Menards Series start in 2020.

The team has proven to be a strong force within the series, as evident by past wins with Ross Chastain and almost doing the same with Hocevar as they put themselves in the playoffs. They’re also knowing for taking a chance on some of the young talent, and it will be interesting to see whether the gamble pays off considering neither Thompson or Alan have a big history.

#51: Corey Heim, Kyle Busch Motorsports, Toyota Tundra HYTE

The full plans for Kyle Busch Motorsports’ No. 51 truck have yet to be revealed, but it is to be assumed Kyle Busch will drive the maximum five races that he is allowed once again. After all, it’s the best way to see where his team’s package is. Corey Heim’s ability to put himself up front in each of his three appearances last year has paid off, as he will get 51 chances behind the wheel in 2022. It’s just about closing the deal now for the ARCA Menards Series standout, after scoring a best finish of 11^th.

Heim’s Venturini Motorsports teammate Drew Dollar was also behind the wheel in 2021, and scored a top-10 with a 10^th at Daytona International Speedway. However, his plans have yet to be confirmed for 2022.

Todd Bodine will return to the Truck Series this season, ready to cement himself into the history books as he runs six events to bring his career starts total up to 800. He will have a good solid piece underneath him, driving for Halmar Friesen Racing as a teammate to Stewart Friesen, who was able to place himself in the playoffs. Bodine is no slouch behind the wheel either, as evident by being a past champion.