Talk around the Pub Table

Tuesday, show night via FB Live at 9 p.m. ET on FB Live and time for another edition of Talk around the Pub Table. These are news topics racers like you are discussing around your own buckets of beer this week.

Nemechek treks to Trucks

Stating that he wasn’t sure what his future was with Front Row Motorsports and their NASCAR Cup Series team, John Hunter Nemechek has revealed his new ride. Last week, he announced he was leaving FRM stating he appreciated the opportunity. That’s driver talk for, “I’m outta here.”

Going from a rookie in Cup this year to a returning veteran in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Nemechek will drive for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2021. In recent years, KBM hasn’t dominated like before with its young driver line-up.

Having someone of Nemechek’s experience, with six NCWTS wins already to his credit, could bode well for KBM as a whole.

“Despite only being 23-years old, he has a lot of experience across all three series,” said Kyle Busch, team owner. “With next year’s Truck Series schedule including a lot of events where it’s just show up and race, having an experienced driver in one of our full-time Tundras is going to be beneficial to our whole organization.”

Truckin’ in the dirt

The 2021 NCWTS schedule was unveiled and a few races popped off the schedule immediately.

One noticeable event off the schedule was the dirt race at Eldora (OH) Speedway. Speculation is that it ran its course and the already-announced dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway took it’s place. Also, word is Tony Stewart’s SRX Series will have an event there adding to an already marquee-filled schedule at Eldora.

So, what comes out with announcement? Trucks will take to the historic Knoxville (IA) Raceway for an event. Right in the Sprint Car Capitol of the world, and an already built-in dirt track fan base, will work in the series’ and track’s favor. Word is tickets sales have already been stout since the announcement.

Also new was a return to Watkins Glen International, which last held a Truck race in 2000. Greg Biffle was the winner, in case you want to look cool around the water cooler when the topic comes up.

Brand new, in addition to Knoxville, was Circuit of the Americas (TX) road course and Nashville Superspeedway. Both events will be part of a triple-action weekend as they join the Cup and Xfinity Series.

“The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series provides some of the most intense and entertaining competition in all of racing,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR vice president of racing development. “The 2021 iteration of the schedule will build upon that intensity through a wide variety of long-tenured race tracks and new venues like Knoxville Raceway.”

Another new team in Cup

BJ McLeod and Matt Tifft announced Live Fast Motorsports is joining the Cup Series ranks in 2021. McLeod, a current driver in both Cup and NXS, and Tifft, a former Cup and NXS driver, will be the primary owners of the No. 78 Ford entry.

The team will have a charter after buying Archie St. Hilaire’s portion, who discontinued Go Fas Racing on a full-time basis, with the other part still owned by Joe Falk.

McLeod will drive for  LFM and remain as the owner of his own team, BJ McLeod Motorsports, fielding NXS entries.

They have formed an alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing and have already purchased a dozen cars from the team.

“We have to have a platform to start with and we’re going to need help,” McLeod said. “It’s crazy how competitive the Cup Series is from a driver and owner standpoint. That relationship gives us resources we could only dream of having.”

Tifft and McLeod have known each other for years and the opportunity to put a team together comes at a good time as other teams have folded.

“I’ve talked of many years down the road wanting to be an owner in the sport,” said Tifft, who had to discontinue driving in 2019 when he started suffering from seizures. “I love NASCAR. I always thought I’d love to be a part of that side post-driving.

“But B.J. has been a great owner in the sport at every level. B.J. is a great guy and great businessman and knows how to run a team.

“I can’t want to get this venture started.”

LFM joins 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing Team as the three new Cup Series teams for 2021.

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