Kaz Grala is out of a ride at JGL Racing

Kaz Grala: “I’ve been informed that they are no longer going to honor that contract.”

Ahead of the 2018 racing season, Kaz Grala found a new home. He switched from Chevrolet to Ford and was signed to race full-time for JGL Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series #24.

Grala started the first 10 races of the season with the team. His best finish came in the opening round at Daytona International Speedway where he finished 4th. Since 2014, the team has run 427 NXS races and collected 6 top 5 finishes.

Now, he’s out of a ride…

“Well, unfortunately I’m out of a ride but hopefully the old saying holds true… when one door closes, another opens. I hope to be back in an Xfinity Series car sometime soon. I love what I do!”

Kaz Grala
Kaz Grala

“Just wanted to give everyone an update on some recent changes that have been happening. I had a contract to race full time for JGL Racing in 2018 and I’ve been informed that they are no longer going to honor that contract. I am deeply disappointed but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to kick off my career in the Xfinity Series.”

“I love these cars and I’ve learned a lot in a short period of time. I am Working Very Hard to find the right fit for the remainder of the 2018 season and beyond. I wish James Whitener and everyone at JGL the best. Wish me luck!”

Hours before Kaz Grala issued the statement above, JGL Racing announced they had exciting news to share. However, as of now, no announcement has been made. Yesterday, the team clarified:

“Our exciting news has nothing to do with comments made tonight. We will comment on that specific issue in a professional manner tomorrow with a formal release,” JGL Racing stated.

JGL Racing has [or perhaps had] a technical alliance with Roush Fenway Racing. Shane Wilson was the crew chief for Kaz Grala.

The team has stated that the #24 team will be shut down for 2018. They detailed that the decision was based on a lack of sponsorship.

It’s possible that Roush Fenway Racing played a role in this decision, directly or indirectly. That’s pure speculation and it’s possible I’m just connecting unrelated dots.

But, as Jack Roush pulled Matt Kenseth from the couch and into the seat of his MENCS machine, the team now has more drivers than they do cars. The Roush Fenway Racing driver development program is rather congested at the top with the two car operation. This decision comes the week after Matt Kenseth made his return.

“Just think about this. I got fired after 7 races in 1983 and struggled for a while before Jack Roush came calling. If you keep digging things will work out,” Mark Martin responded to the statement from Kaz Grala.

Kaz Grala is the youngest driver to win a NASCAR race at Daytona. He did that from the pole in the NASCAR Truck Series at 18 years, 1 month and 26 days.

More

Related: Trevor Bayne insists his health did not play a role in Kenseth’s return

Related: Matt Kenseth will return in the #6 for Roush-Fenway Racing

Related: “We’re gonna make our team and our race cars great again.” -Jack Roush

Related: Jack Roush was still upset that Kenseth left in 2012

Related: Post-retirement Kenseth says, “I can’t envision myself at the race track”

Related: Former NASCAR driver’s home sold – Matt Kenseth

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Kaz Grala | JGL Racing | NASCAR

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