Josh Bilicki will not return to Rick Ware Racing in 2022

James Gilbert/Getty Images

    NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Bilicki will not be returning to Rick Ware Racing for the 2022 race season, according to sources. This news comes as Rick Ware Racing downsizes their four-car NASCAR Cup Series organization, to become a much stronger team with fewer cars.

Bilicki ran his first complete season in the NASCAR Cup Series with Rick Ware Racing in 2021. This past season was also being only full-time attempt in all of NASCAR's three national series. Bilicki scored his first-ever top-10 in Cup Series competition during the "Coke Zero Sugar" 400 at Daytona in August of 2021. Josh Bilicki was originally scored 11th, until Chris Buescher and the Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 were disqualified for unapproved adjustments in post race inspection, pushing Bilicki to an astounding finish.

Without a ride confirmed for Bilicki in 2022, it is widely speculated that he will make the migrate to pilot the No. 77 Camaro for Spire Motorsports. That will only be possible if the team is able to purchase or lease a charter for that for the No. 77, due to the fact that the team sold two of their three charters in 2021. Spire Motorsports is said to be among the teams in the process of purchasing one of Rick Ware Racing's three charters, as they downsize their Cup Series organization. Whether Bilicki receives a Cup Series ride, or moves back to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, it's believable that this driver has a decent chance on an upper mid-level ride for next season.

Yet again, this news is only based on rumblings in the NASCAR community. Before we can make any further assumptions, confirmations of Bilicki's 2022 plans will be necessary.