Hendrick Motorsports officially announce new driver deal ahead of Dover

Hendrick Motorsports have officially announced a new driver deal ahead of this weekend's NASCAR action at Dover, with fans making their feelings known in response.

The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series are set to race at the 'monster mile' on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, with Hendrick Motorsports set to field a new driver in their No. 17.

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That's right, the team have confirmed that Jake Finch will be piloting the No. 17 Chevrolet this weekend on one of its 16 outings this season.

So far this campaign, the likes of William Byron, Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott and Corey Day have all driven the No. 17 in Xfinity Series events, with the car having picked up two wins and seven finishes inside the top five.

Now, Finch is set to take the wheel, with the 20-year-old set for his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, having previously raced in the ARCA Menards Series this season.

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Next up in the No. 17! @jamessfinch will drive the No. 17 @HendrickCars Chevy at the @MonsterMile. pic.twitter.com/g8SNtsqcsq

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) July 14, 2025

NASCAR fans respond to Hendrick Motorsports announcement

NASCAR fans in the replies to Hendrick Motorsports' announcement were not best pleased with the news, however, with several fans calling for Rajah Caruth to get an opportunity to drive the No. 17.

Caruth currently drives full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series with Spire Motorsports, but he is backed by Hendrick Motorsports, with his car adorned in the blue, white and red of Hendrickcars.com.

Caruth has raced for Hendrick Motorsports in the Xfinity Series once previously, and some fans feel he should be given another opportunity.

"Why isn’t Caruth getting opportunities in the 17?" one X user wrote, for example, whilst another added: "Can we get a Rajah Caruth start in the 17 before the end of the year too please."

It remains to be seen whether or not Caruth will indeed get a run out in the No. 17 this season, but the good news is he is going to get an opportunity in the Xfinity Series this weekend.

Jordan Anderson Racing have confirmed that Caruth will be driving their No. 32 Chevrolet at Dover this weekend, with EventsDC supporting the effort.

It will be Caruth's first appearance in the Xfinity Series this season, with his last run out in the series having come at Phoenix last November.

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This weekend marks a special moment for our team as rising star Rajah Caruth joins us in the No. 32 Chevrolet at Dover with the support of Events DC. Rajah’s proven talent and hometown pride make this a powerful opportunity to showcase what we can achieve together on one of… pic.twitter.com/GCUY9pM6OK

— Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport (@JARnascar) July 14, 2025

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