Why JTG Daugherty Racing could lose the No. 37 in 2022

 

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    The JTG Daugherty Racing No. 37 Chevrolet Camaro is already in danger of missing larger race events, as the No. 37 is without a charter for the 2021 season. Now an even bigger concerns arises, without sponsorship, the team could be in danger of having to downsize.

Ryan Preece, the JTG Daugherty Racing driver of the No. 37, has often been sponsored by something related to team sponsor, Kroger's, but that will only be for a span of 24 races this season. For the NASCAR Cup Series race Atlanta Motor Speedway, Preece will receive sponsorship from Planters Peanuts, but that is only a one-race partnership as far as we know. 

Looking back at an article that was previously released, the No. 34 is an open car for 2021, the charter that was previously used on the No. 37 belongs to Spire Motorsports. It is usually difficult for an open car to receive long-term sponsorship, due to the many unknowns and risks involved. 

There are a plethora of unknowns with JTG Daugherty Racing.  The main unknown? The Capability of Winning Races. Let's look at the driver stats for the team: 

Ryan Preece - No. 37

• Career Cup Wins: 0
• Wins at JTG Daugherty Racing: 0 
• Rookie Season: 2019
• Seasons at JTG Daugherty Racing: 3 [Started in 2019]

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. - No. 47

• Career Cup Wins: 2
• Wins at JTG Daugherty Racing: 0
• Rookie Season: 2013
• Seasons at JTG Daugherty Racing: 2 [Started in 2020]

You may ask, when was JTG Daugherty's last win, and how many do they actually have? The team only has one NASCAR Cup series win, that was with AJ Allmendinger at Watkins Glen in 2014. That was a good while back.

Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. has 2 wins, that both came at Roush-Fenway Racing. Why Stenhouse hasn't won at JTG Daugherty, I cannot tell you, but Ryan Preece is another story. Preece has only been in the NASCAR Cup Series for 3 seasons, and still has much to learn, though with the decent equipment the team has currently, there is no real reason either teammate couldn’t wind up in victory lane. If they are just waiting for a better ride just to open up, which seems highly unlikely, that is simply bad idea. Most teams, are interested drivers who can win, and so do sponsors. Sponsors want their name one a winning car, not on a car that finishes in the last 10 positions, 20-something laps down. So far this season the No. 37 has finished fairly decent, but not by choice, by necessity. 

What are your thoughts on this situation? Could JTG Daugherty Racing be a one car team by 2022? Let us know what you think in the comments below, we’ll be sure to get back to you!