Tanner Holmes will not be returning to the Shark Racing No. 1t during the upcoming World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season.
The Oregon native announced the news on Friday on his YouTube channel.
Holmes joined the Pennsylvania-based team following the Knoxville Nationals last August and served as a fill-in driver for Jacob Allen, who took time off from racing, for the remaining season. Holmes’ time with Shark Racing was highlighted by a third-place finish during his debut at Minnesota’s Jackson Motorplex on Aug. 17.
Holmes noted there was “a strong possibility” for Shark Racing to field a third entry next season — in addition to Allen and Logan Schuchart — but it ultimately didn’t work out.
However, the 20-year-old is busy penciling out a hefty schedule for his family-owned No. 18t sprint car. He’s still ironing out the details, but if the pieces fall into place as he hopes, Holmes is planning to be back on the road next year.
“I definitely want to be on the national level, whether it’s with the World of Outlaws or High Limit,” Holmes said. “Until, or if, (an opportunity) were to pop up, I’m planning on building my family car up.”
With all of the changes happening in the sprint car racing landscape — primarily centered on the World of Outlaws and High Limit — Holmes simply wants to be a part of it.
“We’ve talked about running our family car, we’ve mentioned running the World of Outlaws, we mentioned running the High Limit series and we are not against that. My family is the go-getter type,” Holmes said. “We’re in for the long term. If we need to build up our program and try to get where we want to get it one day, we’re looking years ahead.
“Right now, we’re talking and trying to figure out our plan, but we want to run a huge schedule in 2024 and really take a leap from where we were before. Where I’m at, I feel like that’s what I need to be doing. If that’s in my own equipment, that’s OK.”
While he added the family might not be able to swing a full tour schedule, Holmes said the tow money and point funds that come with running full time on a tour will be part of their decision-making process. In the meantime, he’s been pounding the pavement seeking sponsors and has put the word out that the team is looking for a crew chief and crew members.
“The next 60 to 90 days here in Southern Oregon for us are going to be extremely busy, and I’m okay with that,” Holmes said. “I feel like this is the life I want to live.”