Brett Moffitt will defend his NASCAR Truck Series championship after all.
One day after dismissing 2016 champion Johnny Sauter, GMS Racing confirmed that it had signed the 26-year-old to drive the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado — replacing the No. 21 Sauter had driven since 2016. The No. 21 will not be used by GMS this season.
Moffitt lost his job with Hattori Racing Enterprises just weeks after winning a championship for team owner Shige Hattori. The organization was short on sponsorship, with Moffitt bringing very little, and the team was forced to seek out funded drivers for 2019 as a result.
Hattori signed Austin Hill and United Rentals with Moffitt left seeking a job in December.
He found one when GMS parted ways with Sauter on Wednesday — the timeline of events and cause for their separation still in question.
Sauter took to the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio airwaves on Wednesday to claim that he was told just minutes before the release was published. He also said he was told it was a financial matter since Sauter doesn't bring any funding whatsoever.
"Obviously, I was down here at the race shop and sat down with Beam and he told me we weren't racing this year," Sauter said on the air. "He said it came down to financial problems, I guess. So, I think everyone knows this sport is expensive and I don't bring any money to the table. I come from the school where you get paid to race."
Sauter's loss is ultimately Moffitt's gain.
"I’m excited to be given the chance to defend my 2018 championship," Moffitt said. "I have to thank the Gallagher family and everyone at GMS for this opportunity. I can’t wait to start working with Jerry and the guys to kick off the season at Daytona in a few weeks."
Moffitt joins a lineup that also includes reigning ARCA Racing Series champion Sheldon Creed and Stewart Friesen in a technical relationship through the Halmar Friesen Racing team. John Hunter Nemechek is driving the team's NASCAR Xfinity Series entry.
"Brett will be an excellent addition to the GMS organization," said Mike Beam, team president. "Last year he showed the racing world the amount of talent and determination he has, especially while facing some adversity throughout the season. We look forward to helping him win his second championship and ours as well.
"We have a strong driver lineup in every series we’ll compete in this year. Maury Gallagher has given us the tools and personnel we need to compete for several championships."
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