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Joe Gibbs Racing announces Sheldon Creed and Chandler Smith will drive for Xfinity team full-time in 2024

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•12/13/23•

SamraSource

Joe Gibbs
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Gibbs Racing is entering a new era in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, as they’ve revealed their lineup for 2024.

The team is always among the top in the series, and they figure to be there again next season. According to the team, they’ll field four cars featuring two full-time drivers in Sheldon Creed and Chandler Smith in 2024.

Additionally, their other two entries will feature a rotating schedule of part-time drivers, with former Stewart-Haas Racing wheelman Aric Almirola coming over to the team.

“A new era,” Joe Gibbs Racing posted. “Our 2024 Xfinity team will field four Toyota GR Supras – two with full-time drivers and two with a rotating schedule of part-time drivers.

“The lineup will be headlined by Sheldon Creed driving the No. 18 GR Supra and Chandler Smith piloting the No. 81 GR Supra. Aric Almirola and John Hunter Nemechek will split driving duties of the team’s No. 20 entry while the No. 19 GR Supra will be driven by Ryan Truex, William Sawalich, Joe Graf Jr., and Taylor Gray.”

As you can see, John Hunter Nemechek isn’t completely abandoning Joe Gibbs Racing as he enters the Cup Series with Legacy Motor Club. He’ll be splitting time in the No. 20 ride next season, a car he drove full-time in 2023.

That’s a talented collection of drivers for Joe Gibbs Racing. They’re certainly looking to win a ton of races in 2024.

Will they be able to close the deal? Only time will tell, but it looks like the legendary NASCAR team is set up for some major success next season in the Xfinity Series.

Joe Gibbs Racing reveals Denny Hamlin underwent successful shoulder surgery

In other Joe Gibbs Racing news, the team revealed earlier this offseason their veteran Cup Series star driver Denny Hamlin has undergone successful shoulder surgery. 

The team announced the news via press release. Hamlin is projected to fully recover for the 2024 season. 

“Joe Gibbs Racing announces that Denny Hamlin underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder earlier today,” the press release read. “The surgery was completed by Dr. Patrick Connor at Charlotte Surgery Center. Hamlin is expected to fully recover in time for the start of the 2024 season.”

Denny Hamlin was phenomenal in 2023, but just missed out on making it to the Championship 4. He’ll surely be more determined than ever to capture his first NASCAR Cup Series title in 2024.