Predicting where NASCAR's top remaining free agents land in 2025

NASCAR might not be in motion for 2 weeks whereas NBC airs protection of the 2024 Paris Olympics, however there’s by no means actually any day off within the Cup Sequence storage. Foolish season is in full swing, with various drivers nonetheless on the lookout for properties for 2025.

Listed here are a number of of the most important names on that listing and a few predictions concerning the place they could 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 automobile in 2025. Spire does have a gap as Corey LaJoie will not be returning to the No. 7, however the crew will doubtless be seeking to make its personal rent for that automobile.

One possibility for Smith is transferring in-house at Trackhouse, because the crew seems to be to amass one of many two remaining charters strong by Stewart-Haas Racing. Nonetheless, Shane van Gisbergen can also be ready within the wings there and appears extra more likely to earn the experience provided that he has already proven the flexibility to win on street programs in Cup. So Smith will as an alternative return to Entrance Row Motorsports to drive the crew’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 properties for 2025. Chase Briscoe will substitute 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 does not stay at NASCAR’s prime degree. Nonetheless, he is proved he can win within the Xfinity Sequence, and fortunately for him, what’s left of SHR will likely be rebranded into the Haas Manufacturing unit Workforce and run two vehicles full-time in that collection. With Cole Custer heading again to Cup to reclaim his No. 41 experience underneath that banner, that opens the door for Preece to drive one of many Haas Manufacturing unit Workforce’s Xfinity Sequence vehicles.

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 prompted on the monitor, however he’s a gifted driver who has proved he belongs on the Cup degree and there are a number of openings nonetheless obtainable 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 choices, 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 may both take over the No. 16 (at the moment a rotation of drivers) or substitute 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 likely be driving that automobile for 2025 and past. His Cup Sequence profession has been disappointing, to say the least, with solely 5 top-10 finishes in 95 profession begins 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 strong Xfinity or Truck program. He brings sponsorship from DEX Imaging, and his connections inside the trade will hold him behind the wheel in 2025 with AM Racing within the No. 15 Xfinity automobile.