We promised we'd be back for more updates on this season's NSSCRA field, so here we are. These are the rest of the drivers who stayed in the series, but changed rides.
Matthew Conrad
This season: #22 for Hampton Island Racing (full-time)
Last season: #34 for Hampton Island Racing (part-time)
Some people forget that Skip Stiller and Meghan Sharpe weren't the only drivers to retire at the conclusion of last season. Kevin Cosgrove refused to consider a move to a team not based in his native Hampton Island, and instead call it quits; HIR likewise went for one of their prospects in Conrad rather than a foreigner. Cosgrove didn't exactly light the world on fire during his time in the double deuce; will Conrad be the one to do it?
Shigeru Tsuchie
This season: #29 for Itzal Lasterketa (full-time)
Last season: #83 for Dahon Motorsports (part-time)
During the previous season (the ninth), Dahon floated the idea that they would run their factory team full-time in the tenth season, but unfortunately, budget cuts forced the Ajian automaker to withdraw. Hispanish team Itzal bought the cars they were supposed to use, as well as the contract of Tsuchie, who was intended to be Dahon's primary driver.
Jama'obo Pegasii
This season: #37 for Vilita & Turori Motorsports (part-time)
Last season: #87 for Vilita & Turori Motorsports (part-time); WGP2
A little bit of reshuffling in VTM's extensive R&D program: Pegasii becomes the fourth rather than fifth driver for the team; he also takes back his signature #37 after being forced to change by Frank Bronson (now #8) and then Pyotr Lavrentiev (now #19).
Chris Holmes
This season: #56 for Hawking-Byrd Motorsports (full-time)
Last season: #81 for Team Blue (full-time, later terminated)
After being fired by the Hapiloppian team due to both performance and behavioral issues, Holmes is back with a vengeance. He jumps ship to neighboring Wreckeria, in a team co-owned by fellow former Team Blue member Chet Byrd. Are we gonna see more "Chris Holmes moments", or will he thrive in his new environment?
Jolyn Caulfield
This season: #76 for Team G6 (full-time)
Last season: #51 for Valkyrie Racing Team (non-points only); WGP2
When we last saw Caulfield in the NSSCRA two seasons ago, she staged a fake funeral for herself, an incident that received a lot of backlash both from fellow drivers as well as race fans. She then switched disciplines to open-wheel racing, but didn't do much of note. Now Caulfield is back with a new team (like Holmes) and eager to prove that she's changed her ways (also like Holmes).
Dinggu Wang
This season: #79 for UrGa (full-time)
Last season: #79 for IRACT (part-time)
With the departure of all three of the drivers who have driven for UrGa last season, they had to rebuild their roster. Sherpalander Wang was an intriguing choice for the chartered ride, already being fifty-five years old, but the Fleftics believe he's still got it. Wang was allowed to retain his number and sponsors in his new home.
Ganglie Zhe
This season: #80 for UrGa (full-time)
Last season: #96 for UrGa (one race replacement for the suspended Gil Archer); spotter for Leo Baxter
The free agency wasn't the only place UrGa searched for replacements. Zhe goes from guiding the #80 car where to go on the track, to actually driving it himself.
Next time, we'll be looking at all those who are unfortunately out of the series. Of course Stiller, Sharpe, and Cosgrove will be there, but there are still some others that need recognition. Stay tuned.
(end blog)
LENA EICHEL
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@LenaH8sU
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(Good shirt made by Hapilopper.)