Report: 23XI Racing Expected to Acquire StarCom Racing Charter

AUSTIN, TEXAS – MAY 23: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 DoorDash Toyota, and Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on May 23, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jared Tilton/ 23XI Racing via Getty Images)

It’s only one week since NASCAR ended their season in Phoenix, and a few precious charters are swapping hands heading into the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

23XI has been on the search for a second charter for Kurt Busch and his No. 45 Monster Energy Camry, and the search seems to be heading towards a conclusion according to SBJ’s Adam Stern.

Stern reported early Monday morning that 23XI is expected to acquire the StarCom Racing charter from the No. 00 of Quin Houff.

.@23XIRacing is expected to purchase the charter from outgoing NASCAR team @StarComRacing, per sources.

? StarCom was previously in advanced talks to sell the charter to Spire Motorsports, but that deal ultimately did not get finalized. pic.twitter.com/Y1HqaewhEQ

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) November 15, 2021

The report comes just two days after Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press tweeted that Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson mentioned that 23XI had secured a charter for 2022.

In a wide-ranging interview today at #IMSA #PetitLeMans, @DavidWilsonTRD tells me that @23XIRacing has secured a second #NASCAR charter for next season.

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) November 13, 2021

This backs up a previous report from The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi that 23XI, as of early October, had not only secured a charter for 2022 but also an unnamed crew chief for the 2004 Cup Series champion.

Denny Hamlin told the media today that both a charter for the No. 45 23XI Racing team and a crew chief for Kurt Busch are set. No further details shared.

— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) October 3, 2021

Industry speculation suggested that Spire Motorsports, after moving two of its charters to Kaulig Racing’s Cup operation for 2022, was set to become the new owner of the sought-after StarCom charter. According to Stern, finalized talks failed to materialize.

23XI was rumored to take over the second Front Row Motorsports charter however similar to the StarCom/Spire deals, the talks fell through.

A comment from 23XI regarding the matter has gone unanswered at this time.