Upgrade or Downgrade: Who's Equipment has Changed for 2021?

Lionel Racing

  There were many NASCAR Cup Series drivers on the move in preparation of the 2021 NASCAR season.

Some announced they were leaving on their own, while a few weren't given much of a choice, but to move along. Some moved to brand new teams, while others signed with an established team. 

So I am going to break it all down here and list who the drivers are, where they are going, and if it is an upgrade, or downgrade from my perspective.

First here is the chart:

Upgrade or Downgrade:	Driver:	Where they were in 2020:	Where they will be in 2021:
Downgrade	Erik Jones	No. 20 Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)	No. 43 Chevrolet (Richard Petty Motorsports)
Upgrade	Kyle Larson	No. 42 Chevrolet (Chip Ganassi Racing)	No. 5 Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
Upgrade	Christopher Bell	No. 95 Toyota (Leavine Family Racing)	No. 20 Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
About Even	Corey LaJoie	No. 32 Ford (Go Fas Racing)	No. 7 Chevrolet (Spire Motorsports)
Upgrade	Daniel Suarez	No. 96 Toyota (Gaunt Brothers Racing)	No. 99 Chevrolet (Trackhouse)
Upgrade	Bubba Wallace	No. 43 Chevrolet (Richard Petty Motorsports)	No. 23 Toyota (23XI Racing)
Downgrade (Obviously)	John Hunter Nemechek	No. 38 Ford (Front Row Motorsports)	No. 4 Toyota (Truck Series) (Kyle Busch Motorsports)
About Even	Alex Bowman	No. 88 Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)	No. 48 Chevrolet (Hendrick Motorsports)
Downgrade	Ty Dillon	No. 13 Chevrolet (Germain Racing)	No. 96 Toyota (Part-time)(Gaunt Brothers Racing) + No. 54 Toyota (Part-time, Xfinity Series) (Joe Gibbs Racing)

Now for the facts:

• A Downgrade for Erik Jones: In most recent years, Richard Petty Motorsports has not had the best equipment for their drivers to compete in. Since Aric Almirola left RPM, they also have not had a driver that possesses the capability to win, in the team’s equipment. Jones on the other hand  is capable of winning, as he has won twice in the NASCAR Cup Series. While this off-season decision may be a slight downgrade for Jones, it could also be an upgrade for Richard Petty Motorsports. With this in mind, maybe my guess of a downgrade could be questioned.
• An Upgrade for Kyle Larson: He was reinstated after using a racial-slur during an iRacing event in early 2020. Larson, at first, had trouble finding a way back into NASCAR, but seeing through Larson’s mistake, and looking at his great talent, Rick Hendrick signed Kyle Larons to drive the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5. Larson has 6 NASCAR Cup Series wins up to date, and his future with Hendrick Motorsports promises to add to that number.
• A Upgrade for Christopher Bell: This move for Christopher Bell comes after a some-what decent season with Leavine Family Racing, for the team's final season in the NASCAR Cup Series. A move to Joe Gibbs Racing could prove good for the young driver. This must be taken with a grain of salt though, as Levine Family Racing had an technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing and the equipment at both teams may have been similar. 
• About Even for Corey LaJoie: He is going to be a driver I am keeping my eye on, but for some reason, I couldn't give him an “upgrade" rating. Spire Motorsports could have better equipment than Go Fas Racing did in 2020, although they might not. I am not 100% sure on what the outcome of this decision will be for LaJoie in 2021.
• A Upgrade for Daniel Suarez: He will be starting 2021 with a new team, Trackhouse Racing. He has driven for multiple teams, such as: Stewart-Haas Racing; Joe Gibbs Racing; and most recently Gaunt Brothers Racing. Suarez hasn't been given enough time on a single team to show his potential, but I think Trackhouse will give him just what he needs to clinch the playoffs and add some wins to his name.
• An Upgrade for Bubba Wallace: Wallace didn't really do very well at Richard Petty Motorsports, but personally, I think he could have at least won a single race for RPM. But anyways, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin forged a new team, 23XI Racing, and signed Bubba Wallace as their very first driver in the No. 23. Wallace does have the potential, but I’m not sure if he will take his first Cup Series win in 2021.
• A Downgrade for John Hunter Nemechek: Nemechek left Front Row Motorsports on his own, and won't even be competing full-time in the Cup Series next season. He is going to be racing a full-time Truck Series schedule in the No. 4 Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports. So it is a obvious downgrade for him.
• About Even for Alex Bowman: This decision was essentially a number change for Bowman. He’ll be getting the same equipment.  Nothing really spectacular. 
• A Downgrade for Ty Dillon: I was so disappointed that the younger Dillon brother would not receive a full-time Cup Series seat for 2021. He was just left hanging by 23XI Racing, when they bought out Germain Racing’s charter. Not the best first impression of a new team for me.

I could end up being completely wrong about my predictions, but this is just my opinion on the cold, hard facts.

I know that some of you reading this may have differing opinions on these topics, so please share your thoughts in the comments below, and I’ll try my best to get back to you.