NASCAR will not be in motion for 2 weeks whereas NBC airs protection of the 2024 Paris Olympics, however there’s by no means actually any time without work within the Cup Sequence storage. Foolish season is in full swing, with a lot of drivers nonetheless on the lookout for houses for 2025.
Listed here are a number of of the largest names on that checklist and a few predictions relating to the place they may land.
Zane Smith (No. 71 | Spire Motorsports)
Smith is driving for Spire Motorsports in his rookie Cup Sequence season whereas on mortgage from Trackhouse Racing, however it’s already been introduced that Michael McDowell will drive Spire’s No. 71 automotive in 2025. Spire does have a gap as Corey LaJoie will not be returning to the No. 7, however the staff will possible be trying to make its personal rent for that automotive.
One choice for Smith is shifting in-house at Trackhouse, because the staff appears to accumulate one of many two remaining charters stable by Stewart-Haas Racing. Nonetheless, Shane van Gisbergen can be ready within the wings there and appears extra prone to earn the journey provided that he has already proven the flexibility to win on highway programs in Cup. So Smith will as a substitute return to Entrance Row Motorsports to drive the staff’s new third entry, in a digital swap with McDowell.
Ryan Preece (No. 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing)
Three of Stewart-Haas Racing’s 4 present Cup Sequence drivers have already discovered new houses for 2025. Chase Briscoe will change Martin Truex Jr. at Joe Gibbs Racing, Josh Berry will drive the famed No. 21 for the Wooden Brothers and Noah Gragson will be part of Entrance Row Motorsports. That leaves Preece, who has now struck out on a number of alternatives to show himself within the Cup Sequence.
It would not be shocking if Preece would not stay at NASCAR’s prime stage. Nonetheless, he is proved he can win within the Xfinity Sequence, and fortunately for him, what’s left of SHR will probably be rebranded into the Haas Manufacturing unit Crew and run two automobiles full-time in that sequence. With Cole Custer heading again to Cup to reclaim his No. 41 journey below that banner, that opens the door for Preece to drive one of many Haas Manufacturing unit Crew’s Xfinity Sequence automobiles.
Corey LaJoie (No. 7 | Spire Motorsports)
LaJoie is a late addition to the foolish season, as he was anticipated to stay with Spire Motorsports for 2025 earlier than a shock announcement in late July that he would half methods with the group. He is drawn criticism all year long for a number of the injury he is precipitated on the monitor, however he’s a gifted driver who has proved he belongs on the Cup stage and there are a number of openings nonetheless out there for him.
The one that will take advantage of sense is at Kaulig Racing, which has but to fill both of its seats for 2025. Kaulig sometimes depends on funding for its hiring selections, however LaJoie has a number of loyal sponsors who’ve supported him all through his profession, together with Celsius Power Drink, which moreover sponsors Kaulig’s drivers. He might both take over the No. 16 (presently a rotation of drivers) or change Daniel Hemric within the No. 31.
Harrison Burton (No. 21 | Wooden Brothers Racing)
Burton’s three-year tenure with the Wooden Brothers will come to an finish after 2024, as it has been introduced that Berry will probably be driving that automotive for 2025 and past. His Cup Sequence profession has been disappointing, to say the least, with solely 5 top-10 finishes in 95 career starts and his factors place has regressed yearly.
Like Preece, although, Burton has had some success on the decrease ranges, and will resurrect his inventory by touchdown with a stable Xfinity or Truck program. He brings sponsorship from DEX Imaging, and his connections inside the business will maintain him behind the wheel in 2025 with AM Racing within the No. 15 Xfinity automotive.
Different open Cup rides (and predictions of who will drive them):
Spire Motorsports No. 7: Sam Mayer
Rick Ware Racing No. 15: Riley Herbst
Kaulig Racing second automotive: a number of drivers (Daniel Hemric, A.J. Allmendinger and others)
Trackhouse Racing third automotive: Shane van Gisbergen
23XI Racing third automotive: Corey Heim