Johnny Sauter is not returning to GMS Racing in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, the team announced today, Jan. 9.
“We cannot thank Johnny enough for his contributions to the growth and success of GMS Racing,” Mike Beam, GMS president, said in a team statement. “He won the first championship for us and added a lot of trophies to our shop. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors, both in and out of racing.”
Sauter has not yet publicly commented on the move.
The 40-year-old Sauter won the 2016 Truck Series championship with GMS and its No. 21 after moving to the organization from ThorSport Racing. In three full-time seasons with the team, he earned 13 wins, 39 top fives and 55 top 10s, finishing no lower than fourth in points.
A reason for Sauter’s departure from GMS has not been announced, nor has a replacement at the organization been announced, though the team noted that the No. 21’s plans would be revealed soon.
Sauter joins Brett Moffitt as recent Truck Series champions who currently do not have rides announced for 2019. Moffitt, the 2018 champion, will not return to Hattori Racing Enterprises in 2019 and has been replaced by Austin Hill.
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