INDIANAPOLIS — Justin Grant has departed Clauson-Marshall Racing to make way for young rookie Cole Bodine, who will step into the seat of the No. 17bc entry for the remainder of the USAC P1 Insurance National Midget Series season.

Grant, who has driven for co-owners Tim Clauson and Richard Marshall for the past two seasons on the USAC National Midget trail, revealed the news on Twitter Tuesday afternoon. He then paid a nod to Bodine, who will graduate into a driving role after working in the CMR shop for much of the past two years.

“After almost two years of racing and friendship, myself and the team decided it would be best for me to pursue a new opportunity for myself and allow Clauson-Marshall Racing to further their role as a development team,” Grant wrote. “I’m proud that during my time at CMR, I was able to be a part of building a team capable of developing young talent … and we felt that this was the obvious time for me to move on.

“I want to wish the best of luck to my good friend Cole Bodine, as he jumps into the No. 17bc for the remainder of the 2018 midget season.”

The Tweet was later removed from Grant’s personal account.

Bodine, 20, subbed for Zeb Wise in the No. 39bc earlier in the summer, while Wise was recovering from a broken collarbone. He earned a career-best second-place finish at Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex in mid-July and also drove for Clauson-Marshall Racing in the No. 39b at the Jason Leffler Memorial.

Grant noted that he plans to finish out the USAC national midget season with another team that will be announced soon, and that he is also working on solidifying his plans for next year, with NOS Energy Drink continuing as one of his major sponsors.

“I’m happy that this recent decision (to depart Clauson-Marshall Racing) has allowed me to take an amazing opportunity with a highly-professional team for the remainder of the 2018 USAC national midget season,” said Grant. “While I’m not ready to announce my plans for the 2019 midget season yet, I can assure everyone that NOS Energy Drink will continue to play a major role.

“The relationship that everyone at NOS and I have developed this season has been amazing and I’m excited to continue and expand our partnership.”